Grammy award-nominated blues guitar and keyboard stalwart, Lucky Peterson, headlines this year’s festival. Starting at age five, the Buffalo native boasts a career spanning nearly 50 years, and has played with legendary blues acts including Willie Dixon, Etta James, Bobby “Blue” Bland and Mavis Staples, among others.

The 4th Annual Buffalo Niagara Blues Festival also includes Victor Wainwright and the Wild Roots, whose band features local prodigy, Pat Harrington on guitar. In 2016, the group was awarded ‘Band of the Year’ at the Blues Music Awards, and Wainwright himself was named B.B. King Entertainer of the Year.

Also performing at this year’s festival is the soulful Southern Avenue from Tennessee, solo phenomenon Sofie Reed, powerhouse blues combo Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys, and British slide guitar virtuoso Jack Broadbent.

Proceeds from the Blues Society of Western New York event supports the Blues Society of WNY's Blues in the Schools programming for K-12 students and other community outreach programs including Nursn’ the Blues, and a Blues music therapeutic program for those suffering from addiction in conjunction with Horizon Village.