July 8 – 9, 2017 (Saturday – Sunday)
Hayward City Hall Plaza
777 "B" Street
Hayward, CA
This little town of African-American's who migrated here
from the deep south was one of the proving grounds for many blues musicians.
Russell City, an unincorporated area of Hayward, California is about 12 minutes
from the City of Oakland. This community of modest houses and small farms along
the bay is now gone.
During it's heyday, Russell City was a down home, known
for it's clubs with dirt floors, bootleg electricity and a steady stream of
musicians playing a unique style of Delta Blues. During the early part of their
careers, artists such as Big Joe Turner and Big Mama Thornton played Texas,
Arkansas and Louisiana style blues in Russell City.
West Coast Blues music eventually influenced the
traditional sound when horns replaced the harmonica and West Coast Blues was
born. Russell City is a landmark on the map of American's contributions to
world culture giving Hayward a unique musical legacy reflecting the
African-American experience. We are pleased to bring those sounds back through
the Hayward-Russell City Blues Festival. The Hayward-Russell City Blues
Festival celebrates the rich history, musical and cultural art form found in
Russell City and Hayward during the post war years from the 1940's thru the
1960's.
Cost: $30/day; $50/2-days
