(Photo by Gwen Sour) Attendees dance to the blues at the 32nd River City Blues Festival in Marietta Saturday afternoon.

MARIETTA — The 32nd River City Blues Festival took place on March 14-15, bringing a wide array of nationally recognized blues musicians to Marietta, Ohio.

Hosted by the Blues, Jazz, and Folk Music Society (BJFM), the festival showcased performances by artists from across the country, delighting audiences with an eclectic mix of blues styles and high-energy performances.

Among the standout performers was Joe Waters, a professional musician who has been playing for 22 years. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, and now residing in Richmond, Indiana, Waters has dedicated his life to music. His love for jazz and blues started early, inspired by his father and grandmother, both musicians.

“I’ve always wanted to play music since I was a kid. I would go to Career Day in fourth grade and say, ‘I’m gonna be a jazz musician.'” said Waters. “Like, I’ve always known I was gonna play music because my dad plays music and my grandma played music.”

The festival featured a dynamic lineup, including Jimmy Carpenter from Las Vegas, Kenny Neal from Louisiana, and a husband-wife duo from Houston and Montreal. Other artists hailed from Massachusetts, Chicago, Florida, and beyond, ensuring a rich and diverse musical experience. Many of these musicians have won awards and are well-known in the blues community, making the festival a must-attend event for blues enthusiasts.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) Jimmy Carpenter of the Jimmy Carpenter Band performs at the 32nd River City Blues Festival in Marietta on Saturday.

One of the festival’s highlights was the audience’s enthusiasm; attendees danced, clapped, and cheered as musicians delivered soul-stirring performances. Some festival-goers have been attending since the event’s inception, demonstrating the lasting impact of River City Blues.

“Joe met somebody who had been to all 32 festivals,” said BJFM Board Member Jay Phillips. “There are people who, when they check out of the Lafayette on Sunday, book their room for next year’s festival, even before knowing the lineup. They just trust us to do a good job in picking the acts.”

BJFM has a dedicated board and a hiring committee that carefully selects performers based on their talent, stage presence, and reputation. This ensures that each year’s lineup maintains the festival’s high standards.

“We have a committee that goes through and looks at videos to see how the acts perform. Some of our members have seen these musicians live, and some are appearing on our stage for the first time,” Phillips explained.

Beyond the blues festival, BJFM also organizes Cobblers Coffee Houses, smaller events featuring blues, folk, and bluegrass artists in a more intimate setting.

“Cobblers Coffee Houses are held in honor of our founder, Cobbler John Bowen. He always envisioned having a coffee house series alongside the festival,” said Phillips.

The next Cobblers Coffee House will take place on April 25 at the Lafayette’s Gun Room, featuring the John Hill Trio with an 8 p.m. start time and a $15 admission fee.

According to Phillips, the River City Blues Festival is not just about music; it also brings significant economic benefits to Marietta. Visitors from out of state contribute to the local economy by staying in hotels, dining at restaurants, and exploring the city. Additionally, the festival exposes local audiences to the depth and diversity of blues music, dispelling the misconception that blues is slow or melancholic.

“Blues can have a view of being quiet, slow, and sad music, but I think you can see and hear from what’s going on that it’s not like that at all,” Phillips said. “People want to get up and dance, have a good time, and let that energy out.”

For 32 years, the River City Blues Festival has been a beloved tradition, and its continued success is a testament to the hard work of BJFM and the passion of blues fans. As this year’s event wraps up, anticipation is already building for next year’s festival, promising another weekend of world-class blues music in the heart of Marietta.

“I come every year because it’s touching,” said Tony Delaney, a Pittsburgh native. “Blues, jazz, all that stuff makes the music feel alive, makes it feel like you’re more connected to each person in the room – I can’t wait for next year already.”