By Eldridge “Big Cat” Tolefree

When it comes to authentic down-home blues in the East Bay, one name comes to mind: Ronnie Stewart.
    His annual blues festivals and concerts during the last 17 years have featured the biggest names in the music industry. Past headliners include Jimmy Mc- Cracklin, Bobby Bland, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Sly and The Family Stone, Bobby Rush, Coco Taylor, Sonny Rhodes, Chick Will, TBone Walker, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Guitar Shorty and Kenny Neal. The festivals continue to grow in size and scope, with excellent food, beer and a variety of vendor booths.
    Stewart serves as the executive director and producer for the Bay Area Blues Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion and presentation of blues, soul, jazz and gospel as an indigenous American art form. Stewart’s hard work, dedication and respect for blues traditions gives the organization an edge over most so-called blues advocate groups.
    The East Bay-based society has many major accomplishments, most notably Stewart’s efforts to keep the historic value of Russell City alive and in mainstream media. Decades ago, a small town of African American homeowners and businesses migrated west from many southern states to California’s Russell City, an unincorporated area of Hayward. In the ’50s and ’60s, Russell City, Oakland, Richmond, San Francisco and even Vallejo were famous for their incredible clubs and deep roots in the music idiom.
    Stewart’s dedicated Caravan of AllStars performs the traditional West Coast style of blues featuring Donnie Kountz (drums), Chuck Trujillo (bass), Ronnie Stewart (lead and rhythm guitar), John Middleton (horn), Carl Green (sax), Billy Dunn (keys), and singers Teddy “Blues Master” Watson, Wylie Trass, Willie G, Billy Dunn and newcomers Tia Carroll and “Pork Pie” Phillips.
    Learn more about festival dates, programs, blues in schools, band members, new music, merchandise and more at www.bayareabluessociety. net.

Send your comments to Big Cat at the Inside Buzz c/o The Globe.