NORWICH – Considering the continued success of the Chenango Blues Association’s Summer Concert Series and Blues Fest – particularly over the past three years, with record crowds attending both – it should come as no surprise that the association has decided to expand upon its summer line-up of entertainment.
From 2 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday in East Park, the Chenango Blues Association will hold its first-ever Chenango Summer Jam, featuring some of the best in local, regional and national talent. Rochester-based Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad will headline the all-day event, bringing to the East Park stage its unique blend of psychedelia and reggae. Online music database Jambase called the group “one of the most diverse bands in the genre,” while Reggae Movement stated, “Giant Panda sounds more than at home live onstage and the band knows it, filling the live set with musical segues and extended, improvised jams throughout the night.”
Other acts will include Big Sam’s Funky Nation – led by former Dirty Dozen Brass Band bandleader Sammie Williams – as well as local favorites Tumbleweed Highway and Woodshed Prophets. New York City-based Isto will perform in between acts, offering up a broad repertoire of original and cover material that’s as amusing as it is unique.
The best part, however – thanks to the generosity of Preferred Mutual Insurance and Wells Fargo Advisors – is that Sunday’s event is free, noted Chenango Blues Association President Eric Larsen. The association also received support from the New York State Council of the Arts, administered by the Chenango County Council of the Arts, with additional support from Governor Andrew Cuomo and state legislators.
Said Larsen, “If it wasn’t for the generous people around here, we wouldn’t be able to do this. Free shows aren’t free.”
The idea for Summer Jam has been simmering on the back burner for years now, he added. With the completion of renovations to East and West Parks, however, Larsen said he and his fellow committee members knew now was the time to give it a shot.
