Saturday, 05.08 / 22:45 / Main Stage @Castle

British born and now US-based, Matt Schofield continues to push the frontiers and reshape the boundaries of the British Blues tradition. A multi-award winning guitar virtuoso, singer, songwriter, producer and band leader, after more than 30 years of performing, and 20 years into his solo career, Schofield’s impact as one of the most influential and distinctive guitarists of his generation is unquestionable.

Along with a storied career that has taken him and his band to nearly 30 countries worldwide comes awards, industry and critical acclaim – three time “British Blues Guitarist of the Year”, “British Blues Album of the Year” and the first guitarist inducted into the “British Blues Awards Hall of Fame”. Mojo Magazine “Blues Album of the Year”and Guitar & Bass Magazines “Top Ten British Blues Guitarist of All Time” alongside Eric Clapton and Peter Green.

Schofield’s fluid and melodic playing and iconic tone has inspired legions of guitarists, and a sought after line of signature instruments and equipment including a Two-Rock Matt Schofield amplifier.

What remains ever impressive is Schofield live. From main stages at prestigious festivals such as Montreal and North Sea Jazz, to packed houses in legendary clubs like New York’s Iridium or London’s 100 Club, Schofield’s ability to connect with audiences immediately and profoundly is unforgettable. His authenticity, mastery of guitar, emotive vocals, and improvisational brilliance are brought to life within his innovative original compositions.

A renowned musical educator, in 2018 Matt released “Blues Speak”, his highly acclaimed TrueFire instructional series. As a clinician he has taught from Tokyo to Texas and all points in between.

Awards and commentary:

British Blues Awards Guitarist of the Year 2010, 2011, 2012 which garnered him an induction into the British Blues Hall of Fame
Voted Blues Album of the Year (2011) Mojo Magazine
Penguin Book of Blues Recordings cited as one of only two living British artists to achieve the maximum four-star rating
Guitar & Bass magazine’s Top Ten British Blues Guitarists

“In Schofield, the UK has produced the best blues guitarist from any country in decades.” L.A. DAILY NEWS, USA

“The best of this generation’s European players. His feel for the music is incredible.” VINTAGE GUITAR, USA

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Saturday, 05.08

Chris Grey & The BlueSpand have seriously broken into the consciousness of music lovers with a taste for good GROOVY funk’n’soul.

Their latest release “Funk The Mall” from September 2022 is funky, groovy, and filled with energy with a couple of soulful ballads in between.
You might have come across some of their viral videos on Facebook or YouTube – “Grab’em by the Elbow” with over a million views, and “Mammas Mammalaid” which reached 1 million views in just 10 days!

The success has brought the trio far around Europe, as far as North Macedonia and southern France. Chris Grey & The BlueSpand always show their love and passion when playing their music live in front of an audience.

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Saturday, 05.08

The multi-talented Mihkel Raud is well known as a successful journalist, writer, and even former politician, but above all, he is a musician – an outstanding guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
Mihkel has played in numerous popular Estonian bands such as Golem, Metallist, Singer Vinger, Mr. Lawrence, Lenna, etc., and currently acts mainly as the frontman of his own band.
In a word – Mihkel Raud is a notorious figure, there is probably no Estonian who does not know him.

But it’s probably a little-known fact that his numerous activities and interests include also being a die-hard ZZ Top fan. This hidden side will now be revealed at Augustibluus with a special project consisting exclusively of ZZ Top’s music. Mihkel Raud will take Augustibluus’ visitors from Haapsalu to Texas and create a real-time machine – in addition to ZZ Top’s best-known hits, there will sound some early gems, some of which are almost the same as Raud himself.

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Saturday, 05.08 / 19:00 / Main Stage @Castle

David Rotundo is a multiple award-winning blues harmonica player, singer/songwriter, and an unforgettable showman who electrifies audiences with his unique musical talents.
In the words of rock’n’roll singer/songwriter Ronnie Hawkins, “David Rotundo plays the blues the way the blues are supposed to be played!”
Often the talk of any festival where he performs, Rotundo has toured worldwide and has worked with many other notable performers as Jeff Healey, Lee Oskar, Enrico Crivellaro, Igor Prado, and Ronnie Hawkins, just to name a few.
Among his many accolades, Rotundo has been honored with the Maples Blues New Artist of the Year and Harmonica Player of the Year Awards, and the CBC/Galaxie Rising Stars award.
Rotundo’s most recent release, “So Much Trouble” (Dreams We Share, 2020) produced in collaboration with Lee Oskar, has won global acclaim from critics and fans alike and topped the charts at #1 in Canada for an unprecedented 9 straight weeks in the Roots music charts.

Emiliano Juárez is considered among the best Blues guitar players in Mexico.
Being one of the very few Mexican Blues guitarists on an international level, he has traveled the world performing at important stages in America, Asia and Europe.
​Emiliano Juárez is also recognized for teaching guitar lessons and conducting workshops and master classes in different countries, specially in Mexico, where besides doing instructional activity, he produces tours, concerts and showcases inviting
and backing up Blues and Soul international artists.
As a musical instrument endorser, Emiliano Juárez has worked with the prestigious German brand HOHNER with their acoustic guitar line and actually belongs to the international artist catalogue of VEERKAMP, QUILTER AMPS, and ERNIE BALL.

www | www | YouTube | YouTube

Friday, 04.08

Compromise Blue is one of the oldest, and maybe even the oldest, continuously active Eastern Europe blues band.
Compromise Blue was born in 1988 in the worker’s canteen of a Soviet plastic factory, where young musicians – Raul Ukareda, Ain Kalme, Hannes Pikkat, and Eri Kask used to go to jam. Spontaneous performances at underground youth parties followed. The name of the band had to be invented in a hurry when the first “big” gig was offered in the summer of 1988 at Elva Rock festival.

Compromise Blue’s current charismatic singer, Emil Rutiku, who is celebrating his 60th anniversary this year, joined the band in 1989. Under Emil’s leadership, the band’s sound became more upbeat, and in less than a year, Compromise Blues became the most sought-after band in the country. Emil is also known as an energetic TV host and MC, actor, and activist, but above all, he is a musician. A rough-voiced and extremely charismatic showman, he has been compared to Tom Waits, Howlin’ Wolf, Omar Dykes, and even James Brown.

Today, Compromise Blue has grown into a 9-member band, whose integral component and trade mark is a 4-member horn section.

Compromise Blue has traveled the world and performed on big stages with many blues legends such as The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Gene Taylor, Rufus Thomas, Omar Kent Dykes, and likes.

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Saturday, 05.08

Margus Kappel is the legendary keyboard player for the most notorious Estonian bands Rock Hotel and Ruja, many call him the father of Estonian boogie-woogie. 

Tibu or Andu Kõiv is the next generation boogie-woogie virtuoso, the leader of Chick’n’Band, our very own Jerry Lee Lewis. 

Two of the most genuine piano virtuosos with a special program only at Augustibluus!

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Friday, 04.08 / 

The Goosebumps Bros. is a trio of Italian musicians, very active and well-known on the international blues scene, especially as steady members of Big Daddy Wilson’s band.
Their sound comes from the Blues – in its widest meaning – and it is composed of a mix of genres, dictated by many musical influences, such as classic soul, funk, and vintage rock.
They bring a full-energy performance: their live shows prove the genuine love for the authentic spirit of the legendary jam bands of the past. They all sing and the vocal harmonies establish their style in a unique way. Over the years, each one of them had the opportunity to be on stage and to record with several great artists, renowned in the music business, including Eric Bibb, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Hans Theessink, David Grissom, Kirk Fletcher, Matt Schofield, Vanessa Collier, Kai Strauss, Eb Davis, Terence Trent D’Arby, Zucchero, just to name a few.

Cesare Nolli – guitar, vocals
Paolo Legramandi – bass, vocals
Nik Taccori – drums, vocals

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Friday, 04.08 / 

Everywhere Krissy Matthews goes he leaves the crowd in awe. His honest, dynamic and explosive stage show with his extremely tight band leaves ripples in every venue. Nobody sounds like Krissy, which in todays world is becoming harder and harder to be identified with your own sound. 

Krissy Matthews Band has performed hundreds of shows across the world sharing the stage with artists such as Joe Bonamassa, Gregg Allmann, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Beth Hart and Joe Satriani.

Krissy signed to legendary German label Ruf Records last year and released his critically acclaimed record Pizza Man Blues.

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Friday, 04.08

Ornament (1973-1975) was a legendary band of even more legendary Estonian singer, the late great Gunnar Graps. Ornament is considered by many to be the best that Graps ever did. 

Ornament Tribute project started in 2017 at Gunnar Graps’ annual memorial concert. The reason was simple  – Ornament’s great music started to sink into oblivion and it seemed to be necessary to introduce it to the new generations. 

YouTube | YouTube

Saturday, 05.08

Saverio Maccne is a Blues & Rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter, from the metropolis of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Maccne has a one of kind strong rooty sound, that combines raw liberty and dynamic power with the preciseness of his virtuoso guitar skills.

The uniqueness of Maccne´s music is based on his wide and long experience in many different music genres, and his skill to combine them in an original and uncompromising way. In the core of his music, you´ll find the love for Blues and 60´s and 70´s Rock – Spiced up with some punctilious techniques of Jazz. Maccne´s music is a kind of intense electric Blues; it´s raw and unpolished, vibrating an original, almost primitive, fierce power – And yet it is perfectly balanced and precise; every note has to be absolutely clear, and every note has to reflect a piece of its composer’s soul.

Maccne has devoted himself to the guitar since a little boy. He gave his first gigs at the age of only fourteen side by side with professional musicians in the murky bars of the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. At the age of sixteen, he started his studies in a conservatory – But after almost four years of studying, instead of the final exams, he was tempted by the call of the road and great adventures. And so it is that the man is mostly self-taught, his greatest masters being the wild streets of Buenos Aires, in particular, the bohemian artist´s neighborhood San Telmo.

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Friday, 04.08 / 

Roy Hytower, born in Coffeeville, Alabama, started as a guitar player opening shows for visiting blues and rhythm’n’blues performers like Nappy Brown, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, James Brown, and likes.  

In the early 60s, Hytower moved to Chicago and became a regular visitor at the Pepper’s Lounge, where he got a chance to play and jam with Junior Wells and Howlin’ Wolf. When Mighty Joe Young , the Otis Rush Band’s guitar player, was leaving the band, he introduced Hytower to Otis. Hytower played three years with Otis all over Chicago. After Otis Rush he shortly played with Johnny Drummer and backed up many other bluesmen, also beginning to front his own band. In 1988 Hytower made his debut solo album called ”Root Doctor. 

During his career, Hytower has also acted in several musicals and also got some smaller roles in films like ”The Babe”, ”Poltergeist III” and ”Novocaine” with Kevin Bacon. 

In the ’90s, Hytower changed his name to Doktu Rhute Muuzic. 

Highway is an experienced Helsinki-based blues and roots band that has also backed many other visiting American musicians during their tours to Finland.

Good Rockin’ Kempas – vocals, harmonica
Jonne Kulluvaara – guitar
Jan-Olof Strandberg – bassKöpi Tolvanen – drums

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Saturday, 05.08 / 17:00 / Main Stage @Castle

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Liisa Tetsmann has created a world for her music called Rubundi. Fuelled mainly by nocturnal flashes of inspiration, her work has a touch of mischievousness, a pinch of melancholy, a swim in time, but also a touch of Gavroche. Rubundi’s music lures the listener into mind-boggles that require a swift exit from the main road, a seat on the wet grass and a mind free to wander through the enchanting maze of being human. The band has released three albums to date, with dusty hints of jazz, blues and folk: “Mõttemets” (2019), ”Müha” (2021) and “Fantasöör” (2023). Band members are Liisa Tetsmann, Indrek Tetsmann, Antti Kammiste, Martin- Eero Kõressaar, Grigori Rõžuk, Helen Kannus ja Keidi Vatter.

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Friday, 04.08 / 18:00 / Veskiviigi Harbour
Sunday, 06.08 / 12:30 / Villa & Restaurant Soffa

Carlos Ukareda got into the public eye in 2018 when he reached the finals of Estonian Idol while only 18 years old. In 2020, Carlos caught the eye of the successful British singer Ed Sheeran when he published a video of a duet with Ed on TikTok. Sheeran shared Carlos’ video on his social media, where the video has been viewed over two million times.

Carlos Ukareda has been surrounded by music all of his life. He grew up in a musical family – his father is a guitarist in a legendary Estonian blues band Compromise Blue, and his interest in playing the guitar has transferred to Carlos as well. 

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Friday, 04.08 / 17:00 / Promenade open-air dance floor

The word “BLUULE” is a term invented in 2009 specially for Augustibluus by Georg Merilo, the initiator of the poetry concert format of the Romantic Poetry Show, to combine the genres blues and poetry. BLUULE is performed only once a year in Haapsalu, at Augustibluus, traditionally on the opening Friday evening at 5 p.m.

The peculiarity of the BLUULE is in the non-arrangement of the performance – none of the performers will know in advance what text or tune the other will perform – it is literally a disappearing art that takes place only once, right now and right here, and will never be repeated.

Saturday, 05.08

Sulliwan Unplugged is an Estonian acoustic rock band formed in 1990. The band enjoyed a significant following in the nineties and finally broke up in the early 2000s. In 2019, Sulliwan Unplugged made a comeback and has been active ever since.

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Friday, 04.08 

Blues-rock group Crosswood was established in the early spring of 2014 by a group of musicians from southern Estonia (Tartu) who had previously played in many legendary Estonian bands such as Keel, Nahk & Poogen, ROSTA Aknad, and Suuk. All the members share a deep affection for the music of the ’60s and 70’s and therefore the band’s musical focus is firmly fixed on that period. Crosswood plays tunes by Freddie King, Peter Green & Fleetwood Mac, Mick Taylor, Atomic Rooster, Cream, Johnny Winter, etc. The current lineup includes Toomas Lunge (vocals), Riho Gross (guitar), Ivo Jääger (bass), Arvo Lepik (keyboards), and Ove Maidla (drums).

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Friday, 04.08 / 01:30 / Nightclub@Cultural Centre 

Tõnu Kõrvits is an internationally recognized Estonian composer, professor of orchestration, music lover, and multi-instrumentalist.
But besides that, he is a great blues lover and expert. This is evidenced by the fact that he has been awarded the title of honorary citizen of Clarksdale – a city in Mississippi that can without hesitation be called the epicenter of the blues – “in recognition of the honor he has
brought through his music to Clarksdale, The Delta, and to the preservation of the Blues”, as stated in the according certificate!

All this expertise and experience will be spread out at the Augustibluus nightclub by playing all sorts of more or less relevant records.

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Saturday, 05.08 / 01:30 / Nightclub@Cultural Centre 

Madis Aesma is an Estonian journalist and musician. In addition to his work in the magazine Imeline Teadus, Madis works weekly as the author and host of the music quiz show Meloturniir on National Radio.
In the spring of 2023, Madis was also one of the hosts of the popular travel show “Mississippi Voices,” which aired on the National TV channel and was researching the deepest roots of the blues in the Mississippi Delta.

As a new phenomenon in the August Blues program, Madis is leading the coverage of the backstage action through the screens on the main stage and will play a DJ set at the nightclub on the last night of the festival.

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Saturday, 05.08

Faarao Pirttikangas’ texts tell stories from forgotten traditions and myths, from snake oil dealers to faith healers, from sound alchemists to moonshine brain fry, and the occasional sauna habits. The music seamlessly arranges its fenno-balkan roots with afro-american elements. 

Faarao has played stages ranging from fancy concert halls to skronky punk squats in Finland, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine, Czech Rep, and Sweden, and won’t quit. 

An effortless combination of influences from Captain Beefheart to delta- & gospel blues, from fenno-american spirituals to barnyard stompin’ madness—a powerful blend of new traditionalism. 

Faarao Pirttikangas was nominated as the blues artist of the year in 2018 by the Finnish Blues Awards.

www | YouTube

Saturday, 05.08

Räpina Jack is like a fresh breeze in the Estonian cultural landscape. It’s a wonderful example of how two completely different artists can create a rock show that fits on any sized stage – from stadiums to living rooms. The roots of the music are in rock’n’roll, yet decorated with bits and pieces from genres ranging from folk and country-western to modern hip hop.

Räpina Jack is like a fresh breeze in the Estonian cultural landscape. It’s a wonderful example of how two completely different artists can create a rock show that fits on any sized stage – from stadiums to living rooms. The roots of their music are in rock’n’roll, yet decorated with bits and pieces from genres ranging from folk and country-western to modern hip hop.

Hain Hoppe a.k.a Hash is a fiery guitar hero, whose roots riffs, melodic solos, and a tongue-in-cheek cocky attitude on stage leave no person unbothered. Kill Kaare a.k.a KillBaba is an excellent wordsmith, whose clever and often comical lyrics open an urbanised yet deeply rooted world to the listener. The lyrics are often melodic, often rapped, and sometimes very contemporary but at the same time very mystical.

That, dear friends, is contemporary, modern rock’n’roll!!

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Saturday, 05.08 / 14:00 / Aasia Villa Suveterrass

The Tomahawck Brothers is a cultural sensation. The foundation of all pop music. The main credo is to play all the notes. If it happens that one of the brothers lingers somewhere longer, no worries, he’ll catch up later. External beauty and glamour are extremely important to us! Beauty will save the world!

For Airi Allvee, blues has always been the foundation upon which she has built everything in her versatile career. Her biggest influences have been Etta James, Koko Taylor, Aretha Franklin, as well as great men like Nick Curran, Jimmy Vaughan, Kid Ramos and others.

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Friday, 04.08 / 16:30 / Promenade open-air dance floor

Enn Vei Blues Band came together in 2015. These “boys” share an affection for the blues of the 1950-60s and it clearly reflects in their music. Their repertoire includes tunes from the legendary blues masters, such as Jimmy Reed, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Little Walter.Enn Vei Blues Band is Priit Kald on drums, Priit Part on the guitar, Sergo Sorrok on the bass, and Enn Vei on the harmonica and vocals.

Saturday, 05.08

The Muddy Husky Duo is an experienced and entertaining ambassador of the Country Blues from Finland. Their repertoire is mostly traditional songs, often looked at from a new perspective. The duo also plays their own originals, all this touched by a joyful passion for the blues. 

Muddy E. – guitar and lead vocals
Harry T. –  guitar and vocals

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Sunday, 06.08 / 14:30 / St. Nicolas Dome Church

Edgars Rubenis about himself:
I am a guitarist and composer, from Riga, Latvia. My current three-album project, Pains And Boogies, explores the vitality of fingerpicked steel-string guitar traditions. Working particularly with the forms of early blues and ragtime, I write seemingly old yet entirely new music – material that pays homage to the great originators of these styles and also dares to diverge at its own will.

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Saturday, 05.08

Kaibald, named after Estonia’s small desert – Kaibald sands, explores the boundaries between blues, rock, western and country worlds. The unique desert guitar sound creates a cinematic atmosphere in their music, with a touch of dreamy 70s nuances. Singer Liisi’s distinct tone brings thoughtful lyrics to the audience, allowing each listener to create their own story in their mind.

Kaibald’s songs are born in a small sauna-house deep in the forests of Hiiumaa, where the only sounds interrupting the ultimate silence are the mooing of cows passing by. The band has performed on both smaller and larger stages, but in addition to performing, the band members also enjoy the thorough creative process of their songs and their collaboration with Estonia’s best mixer/masterer/recorder of 2021, Peeter Salmela.

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Saturday, 05.08 / 12:00 / Promenade open-air dance floor

Josmarine’s (Joanna Prääts – Estonia) vocals and creations are from the world of blues, jazz, and neo-soul. In 2018 she released her debut album “Absence”, which was born in collaboration with Pärtel-Peeter Pere and Jakob Juhkam, and since then has performed at Augustibluus, Hoovus Festival and Võru Jazz Club.
Mike Both (Australia/Estonia), on bass and electronics, joins Josmarine to form the Josmarine Duo. This year at Augustibluus, the Josmarine Duo, will be presenting a blend of originals, covers of classic blues, and more modern favourites.

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Saturday, 05.08 / 13:00 / Puhvet Kapp

Autt Of Office is a blues-rock band, established in 2002 in the prolific swarm of Tartu Blues Club. All members, some of them hobbyists, have decades-long experience in performing in various Estonian bands. The band plays their own compositions as well as some covers from great masters of the past, while also promoting Estonian rock and blues classics, appreciating the Estonian language. The band’s second album will be released before Augustibluus.
Urmas Kõrgesaar – guitars and vocals
Eiko Kuusik – leading vocal and acoustic guitar
Aavo Valtna – percussion
Üllar Kärt – harmonicas, guitars
Peeter Jaska – bass, fretless bass2

Saturday, 05.08

Von Dorpat about themselves: “Our “playground” is rhythm & blues, rock-tinged soul and of course a good dose of blues itself. We have done all this for more than a decade, always and still in Estonian. We, the younger generation have things to say with our music. We talk about people and their ambitions, and we are not afraid to face what deserves criticism in our world.”

Johannes Vedru – keyboards, vocals
Henri Lohk – guitar, vocals
Andres Nirk – guitar, background vocals
Erki Veikar – bass, background vocals
Kaarel Adamson – drums, background vocals

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Saturday, 05.08 

Loose Grace is characterized by the elusive tonality of the lead guitar, thundering bass and unstoppable groove of the drums. A true mix of mid-90s alternative with blues rock roots. The music gets taken to another level by the instantly memorable male vocal, which speaks of the charms and vices of life. Rock N’ Roll. In 2022, Loose Grace released their debut album “BLONDE”.

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Friday, 04.08

Randal Randoja is a blues troubadour from Tartu, Estonia. His creation comes from life and includes stories from his and his friends’ lives. Randal sings in Estonian and English of what his ear hears, his eyes witness, and the nation speaks about. He is also an active member of different bands, but performing as a solo artist along with his guitars and a foot drum is closest to his heart. For the past years, he has had many opportunities to perform as a solo musician in smaller and bigger concerts and festivals around Estonia.

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Friday, 04.08 / 15:00 / Puhvet Terrace

Blues #6 is Sulev Kalder’s six-member blues project, which always and only gathers for Augustibluus.

Eva Vau – vocals
Aleksandra Buldakova – vocals
Valmor Leisalu – bass
Neeme – drums
Arvo Lepik – keyboards
Sulev Kalder – guitar

Friday, 04.08

Jüri Rosenfeld is one of the blues forerunners in Estonia. Rosenfeld started playing the blues already in the ‘70es and has never stopped, even though he has been working as a phychiatrist in Finland for the past 30 years.
Rosenfeld about himself: “I always loved the blues, from my early days on. Used to play it a lot with different bands while living in Estonia. Thirty years of working as psychiatrist really took me away from the blues, but although you can take a man away from the blues, you can’t take the blues away from the man. And that’s exactly what I’m going to prove this time as a solo artist.”

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Saturday, 05.08 / 18:00 / Veskiviigi Harbour

Kass (or The Cat in English) is an Estonian band consisting of five members. In addition to purring, our repertoire includes the best of blues, funk, and country music. We have been inspired by such great musicians as Eric Clapton, Fix, Santana, and Ray Charles among others, and we work hard to honour their legacy while instilling our own unique sound into their songs. We like to think that cats and good music are the best remedies to counteract the misery of life.

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Friday, 04.08 / 01:00 / Nightclub@Cultural Centre 

During the 35-year history of Compromise Blue, there have been about as many members in the band as there have been years. Fortunately, some of them are still alive and will come together again on a special occasion to recall the old times and stories.

The band is led by Jaak Ahelik and Ain Kalme. Everything else is a surprise.

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Saturday, 05.08 / 00:30 / Nightclub@Cultural Centre 

Led by organizer of Augustibluus, guitar player Raul Ukareda, the festival will come to it’s grand finale together with everyone who can play any instrument and can still stand on their feet by then.

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