Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival

I think I expected too much.

A musician friend and I went to the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival and listened for several hours to some kitschy jazz fusion and by-the-book blues.  I hate to sound like the snobby critic, but guitar solos were spelled out P-E-N-A-T-O-N-I-C and notes were sourly missed.  My friend and I exchanged many "ehk" glances as a lead guitarist could be accurately described as a "bad game of guitar hero."

As a longtime fan of blues, I was disappointed.  Maybe it was the crackling speakers, or the overzealous sub bass that clouded out the music factor?  But to the credit of Gahanna, Creekside is a beautiful spot.  Additionally, the vendor and food truck lineup was impressive. There was much to eat.  Nevertheless, you can feed me all the cinnamon sugar almonds you want, but it won't change my taste for good blues.

By the end of the night, we left the main stages and followed our ears through an alleyway.  At the end of the alley, we stumbled upon a quant, patio-like setting, and a blues fusion band who actually had some chops. The sound here was the best we heard all night-- kudos to the audio engineer who knew how to dial it in.  

I watched with appreciation as the lead guitarist skillfully played some unpredictable scales, but I couldn't help but remember the days of Josh Krajcik laying down a heartfelt blues at Victory's-- a blues that made even the bartenders weep. Those days seem long gone, replaced by fusion, fried foods and friendship bracelets.

I'll be back again next year, questing through the Creekside alleyways for authentic, soulful blues.

Blues Baby!!!!!

I went a few years ago and the year after and it was a great time, free admission, good music, great food available, lovely setting of Gahanna Creekside.

The last couple years they started charging admission to get in, and that made it not worth going, anymore.