July 13 - 14, 2019 (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: $50/two days. Or $30/day
