Baton Rouge Blues Fest’s Top 4 Can’t-miss Acts You Won’t Find In The Headlines – The Advocate

Baton Rouge Blues Fest’s top 4 can’t-miss acts you won’t find in the headlines

Hanna PK
Singer-pianist Hannah PK performs at 4 p.m. Saturday on the Chris Whittington Family LA1 stage.PROVIDED PHOTO BY AMY MOORE

This year’s Baton Rouge Blues Festival has a powerful lineup, with plenty of leading lights from around town and further afield. The performer list is so strong that no matter who you end up catching you can’t go wrong: Still, in the interests of mixing it up, we decided to highlight four nonheadliner acts that are worth checking out. 

Blues musician Lil’ Ray Neal sits on his 1953 Chevy 210’s trunk, with its personalized embroidery reading ‘Nothing But The Blues Lil Ray Neal.’STAFF FILE PHOTO BY TRAVIS SPRADLING

Lil’ Ray Neal (3:15 p.m. Saturday, Watermark Slim Harpo stage)

Why Baton Rouge’s Lil’ Ray Neal isn’t one of the biggest stars in the international blues scene is something of a mystery. The younger brother of local hero Kenny Neal (who, incidentally, is opening the festival on Friday evening), Lil’ Ray Neal’s sweet, soulful guitar playing can bring tears to your eyes.

A terrific singer, guitarist and performer, Neal spent years playing with greats like Little Milton, B.B. King and, of course, his father, Raful. The lessons he learned pour out in every note.

Hanna PK (4 p.m. Saturday, Chris Whittington Family LA1 stage)

Since arriving from Rochester, New York, a couple of years or so ago, Hanna PK has provided a welcome dose of fresh air to the Baton Rouge blues scene. A powerful singer and performer, and a terrific pianist to boot, PK really knows how to turn on a show — her performances are fiery and emotional, covering everything from soaring ballads to straight-ahead rock ‘n’ roll and blues. It doesn’t hurt that she has a band full of Baton Rouge’s finest bluesmen in Dee Davis, Jabaric Brown and the dazzling Miguel Hernandez and Lazarro Nettles.

Catch soulful singer/songwriter/band leader Nikki Hill at 1:15 p.m. Sunday on the Visit Baton Rouge Swamp Blues stage.PROVIDED PHOTO

Nikki Hill (1:15 p.m. Sunday, Visit Baton Rouge Swamp Blues stage)

Boy, can Nikki Hill belt it out. Once a resident of New Orleans though now based in Memphis, Hill tours the world with her own distinctive mix of raw, rootsy rock ‘n’ roll. Time Out LA once called her “gospel and soul, wrapped up in a punk rock DIY ethic,” which is about right. 

Though she tackles straight-ahead blues with aplomb, Hill is equally comfortable throwing down in more unexpected ways. Curious? Check out her powerhouse take on AC/DC’s “Whole Lotta Rosie.” Bon Scott would be proud. 

Jimi Primetime Smith and Bob Corritore tribute to Henry Gray (1:30 p.m. Saturday, Chris Whittington Family LA1 stage)

Henry Gray was indisputably one of Louisiana’s blues greats. Born in Kenner, the former band leader for Howlin’ Wolf lived and played in Baton Rouge for most of his life up until his death in 2020.

One of Gray’s greatest proponents was Bob Corritore. Based in Arizona, harmonica player Corritore is one of the busiest guys in show business, regularly touring, pumping out excellent albums, maintaining an active social media presence and running both a radio show and his Rhythm Room venue all at the same time. Phew.

Corritore has been to the blues festival before, once playing alongside Gray. Now, with frequent collaborator Jimi Primetime Smith, he’s performing a tribute to his old friend.

The guitar-slinging Smith is no slouch himself, having played with everyone from Etta James to Albert King. Count on some blues at its most passionate.