Founder & Art Director : Graziano Uliani
Since 1988 the Porretta Soul Festival, a Tribute to Otis Redding has become the most prestigious European event entirely dedicated to rhythm & blues and soul music: and particularly to the Memphis Sound, the music school of the great Otis Redding, to whom the festival is dedicated. Over the past 29 years the biggest names in soul have come to Porretta, many of them especially for the Festival on their first trip to Europe; others, authentic legends, were discovered in unknown spots in the Deep South of U.S.A. and introduced to the international public and press who spoke of the “miracle” of Porretta as the musical event of the year.
Rufus Thomas , Sam Moore (from Sam & Dave) , Booker T. & The MGs, The Memphis Horns, Percy Sledge, Solomon Burke, Irma Thomas, Clarence Carter, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Bettye LaVette, Joe Simon, Mavis Staples, Millie Jackson, The Bar Kays, Ann Peebles, Otis Clay, Toni Green, James Govan, Ollie Nightingale, The Bo-Keys, Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Isaac Hayes, Wilson Pickett, Lavern Baker, James Carr, Eddie Hinton, Les McCann, Dan Penn, Billy Preston: these are just a few of the names which have made Sweet Soul Music, Porretta Soul Festival an absolute reference point for lovers of the music throughout Europe. The organizers have had to consider the geography of black music in planning the festival, taking into consideration the calendar of other important musical events. Porretta is now part of the encyclopedias and official biographies of soul’s great protagonists. The town has the Rufus Thomas Park and the Otis Redding Street!
MAIN STAGE
Rufus Thomas Park, Porretta Terme
Thursday 20 July 8 p.m.
Sweethearts (Australia) Special Guest Sax Gordon
The Lucilles (Spagna)
Gaudats Junk Band (Italia/U.K.)
T.B.A.
Friday 21 July 8 p.m.
The Original JB’S The Original James Brown Orchestra (13 piece band) featuring Fred Wesley, Martha High, M.C. Danny Ray
Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra with Sweet Nectar
Willie Hightower
Barbara Blue (The Reigning Queen of Beale Street)
Sax Gordon with Toni Lynn Washington
Falisa Janaye
Scott Sharrard (Gregg Allman Band, Musical Director )
Saturday 22 July 8 p.m.
Davell Crawford
Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra with Sweet Nectar
Ricky Fanté
Vaneese Thomas & Carla Thomas (Tribute To Rufus Thomas)
Vasti Jackson (Tribute To Johnnie Taylor)
King Louie & LaRhonda Steele with Rob Paparozzi (Blues Brothers Band front man) and Bernard “Pretty” Purdie
Wee Willie Walker
Sunday 23 July 8 p.m.
Davell Crawford
Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra Show & Revue with
Sweet Nectar
Ricky Fanté
Vaneese Thomas & Carla Thomas
Vasti Jackson
King Louie & LaRhonda Steele with Rob Paparozzi
Bernard “Pretty” Purdie
Wee Willie Walker
Willie Hightower
Barbara Blue
Sax Gordon with Toni Lynn Washington
Falisa Janaye
Scott Sharrard
Info: www.porrettasoulfestival.it Tickets: www.vivaticket.it
€ 15 (Thursday)
€ 30 per night (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
€ 90 4days pass
€ Euro 75 3days pass (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
FREE STAGE:
Rufus Thomas Cafe Stage, Piazza della Libertà, Porretta Terme
Friday 21 July
12am Lady Peaches (Molinella)
4 pm Soul Drops (Bologna)
5 pm Soul Marketplace (Bologna)
6 pm Achievers (U.K.)
Saturday 22 July
11 am Sweethearts (Australia)
12 am No Name Band (Modena)
16 amBlack Beat (Imperia)
17 amFlower’s Blues Band (Finale Emilia)
18 am Cristina Russo & Neo Soul Combo (Catania)
Sunday 23 July
11 am Insolito Groove (Bologna)
12 am Sweethearts (Australia)
17 am Lady Superstition & The Nasty Boys (Bologna)
18 am Kimnara Soul Band (Livorno)
