THROUGH THE LENS: Portland, Oregon’s Waterfront Blues Festival

The Waterfront Blues Festival bills itself as “the largest celebration of blues, soul, funk, and rhythm & blues west of the Mississippi.” Even a cursory review of the lineup makes that statement difficult to dispute.

The fest, held in downtown Portland, Oregon, at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park on the Willamette River, is distinctive in other ways as well. Festivalgoers can hear the music from the comfort of their boats. You can also cruise the river on the Portland Spirit, where each day offers a different music theme.

On July 4 there are 22 minutes of fireworks with a live music soundtrack. There are also after-hours shows, an instructional course on the ways of zydeco, a harmonica blow-off, a blues competition, and a blues and swing dancing instruction sessions and competition.

Yes, I did get my annual phone call from two pals chiding me about not being there. But it came Sunday night, not on the 4th as usual. It seems they were having too good a time.

The intriguing thing for me about this fest is that it is blues-oriented, and that is the branch of roots music I know least. Sure, I know the past masters (and saw quite a few as well), but the current scene not so much.

As in previous years, Peter Dervin was there for No Depression to capture not just the music, but the action as well. His photos have an urgency, a sense of movement that not every photographer can capture.

Perhaps the most dynamic of this year’s artists was Vintage Trouble. In their nine years they have honed a combination of rock, blues, and R&B into a swagger that has caught the attention of The Rolling Stones and The Who, both of whom they’ve opened for. They’ve also released nine albums and EPs.

Vanessa Collier is also a standout. Having seen her last year, I can attest that this vocalist-saxophonist not only turns any preconceptions you may have had on their head, but also delivers a passionate, fiery performance that’ll make you a true believer. Especially when she comes down from the stage and wanders in the crowd, blowing her horn and dancing with anyone who’s up to the task.

The festival demonstrated its genre inclusiveness with Larkin Poe. Who would have thought that this high-energy quartet, led by sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell on electric guitar and electric dobro, began as a bluegrass duo? Now, by evidence of including songs such as “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues” and “Trouble in Mind,” they have definitely entered the land of the blues. So them being part of the weekend was not that much of a stretch after all.

Perhaps the most dynamic of performers going in roots music is New Orleans’ Trombone Shorty, who continues to cut a wide swath across not only the country but genres as well — specifically when he guested on “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” with Thomas Rhett and Little Big Town at the CMT Awards last month.

Touring with Buddy Guy and Robert Cray has certainly added a depth and resonance to Shemekia Copeland’s already substantial brand of the blues. Those years of hard touring paid off when she was nominated for four 2019 Living Blues Readers’ Awards, including Female Artist of the Year and Best Live Performer.