Last week, the Cognac Blues Passions has unveiled a series of 6 artists who will enchant music lovers by confirming that the festival's programmers are offering diverse concerts from July 2 to 5 in Jarnac and in the gardens of Cognac.
After (among others) Barbara Hendrix, Robert Finley, Jon Muq, Thomas Dutronc, The Kills and Ibrahim Maalouf, the 6 new names are Keziah Jones, No Money Kids, Earth Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay, Quintana Dead Blues Experience, Jalen Ngonda et Frank.
THE 6 ARTISTS UNDER THE SCRUTINY
Three of them are added to the quintet Jessie Lee & The Alchemists Thursday, July 3, 2025. First of all, the Nigerian Keziah Jones will be able to promote his new album "Alive & Kicking" which includes his greatest hits in concert by including previously unreleased studio tracks like "Melissa" and "Rainy Saturday" as well as a cover of the famous "The Bed's Too Big Without You" by Police. The latter is much more rhythmic than the original and the funk injected by the Lagos musician into this 1979 standard is a resounding success. In 7 albums and after 10 years of recording absence, Keziah will get the crowds moving with his legendary hip-swinging. For two performances on the same day, the Parisian electronic-blues duo No Money Kids presents its 5th album "Fireworks" released at the end of January. In the direct tradition of the Black Keys, Félix and JM will flood the city of Cognac in order to condition the public for the headliner of the day, Earth Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay.
At 77 years old, Albert Phillip McKay played with the famous jazz funk band from 1973 to 1981. Suffice it to say that the former guitarist of Ike and Tina Turner participated in the creation of the huge hits such as "Fantasy", "September" and the incredible "Boogie Wonderland"! The rhythm section reproduces all the energy of the songs of Earth Wind & Fire which benefit from an exceptional vocal section. The group of which Maurice White (who died in 2016) was the singer has seen around fifty musicians pass through since its creation in Chicago in 1969! Suffice it to say that talent is essential and that the Americans will groove the spectators like Gloria Gaynor was able to do during the previous edition. To my great surprise, the gardens were transformed into a gigantic dance floor and the spectators partied until the end of the night!
Friday July 4, Quintana Dead Blues Experience adds to Thomas Dutronc and the thunderous Kills for a day that promises to be electric. Festival-goers attending in 2023 know Piero and music lovers who are fans of rock / heavy blues have already attended the performances of the Grenoble resident expatriate in Bordeaux. His sets are of a rare intensity and the new formula he offers, accompanied by drummer Adrien Schiavone, is a moment of musical wildness that should not be missed under any circumstances! Fans of grunge andIggy Pop, Quintana Dead Blues Experience is scheduled for 21:30 p.m. and again at midnight. An additional artist will be announced by the festival for that same day soon.
Saturday, July 5, in addition to The Robert Cray Band et Ibrahim Maalouf already announced, the Cognac Blues Passions will allow the curious to discover two artists from different backgrounds with a shared passion. The American Jalen NGonda and the French group Frank are young artists who have only released one album to date. They are determined to take advantage of one of the most renowned blues festivals to make their mark. Jalen will be performing "Come Around and Love Me" as well as a new single called "Just As Long As We're Together" released on March 31st that I strongly encourage you to discover. His clear voice mixed with a very effective soul recalls the best of 70's Motown. Regarding the quartet Frank led by Elise Lounici, it offers blues-rock halfway between PJ Harvey and Janis Joplin. Listen to the rhythms and vocals of the tracks "Honest" and "People" to convince yourself that the future of this group looks bright. Robert Finley et Gaëlle Buswel, both regulars at the festival, made no mistake in inviting them to play as the opening act on their recent tours.
In less than 100 days, we will rediscover the atmosphere so dear to festival-goers, allowing us to see well-known and renowned artists and discover many others. Friends of Rolling Stone Magazine are renewing their interviews/showcases called “Conversations” to bring even more happiness to the Charente public.
An unmissable event!
Diego OnTheRocks
