FRIDAY HEADLINER

Headlining the Peninsula Blues Festival, Ty Curtis and Taylor Newville unite seasoned power with rising talent for an unforgettable night of blues. With eight acclaimed albums and stages shared alongside George Thorogood and Robert Cray, Ty brings commanding vocals and electrifying guitar, while Taylor channels the spirit of legends like B. B. King and Jimi Hendrix with youthful fire and award-nominated grit. Together, they deliver a powerful blend of tradition and fresh energy that defines today’s blues.

2026 SHOWCASE

FRIDAY LINEUP

STAGE ONE

  • We'd love the opportunity to bring our all original roots/blues/americana music to the 2026 fest!

    Our website is: https://www.missionofsoul.com/

  • A peninsula favorite for years now, Joel Underwood, Daryl and Dohny Beau have lit up stages in western Washington with their power blues vocals and guitar pyrotechnics. There's nothing fancy here, just the music of artists like Clapton, the Vaughn Brothers, the Kings, and Buddy Guy, laid down with a hefty helping of growl, slinging Telecasters, and flying fingers. Both Underwood and the Beaus perform separately in Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, South Bend, Long Beach, Ilwaco, and across the river in Astoria. Combined, they pour out a bucketful of blues wherever they go. 

  • Nikki Jones Band is a fusion of Rock, Blues, Funk and Soul. They've traveled all over Oregon, Washington, and the Canadian border performing at top-notch Blues festivals. They landed in the top three bands performing at the Waterfront Blues Festival in 2019, 2024 and 2025, representing the Cascade Blues Association (CBA) at the prestigious "Journey To Memphis" competition. In 2025, the Nikki Jones Band became the CBA's Journey To Memphis winners and landed in the top 24 bands internationally for IBC 2026! They released their first CD in 2023 called "Battle Me Up," reaching international radio plays, as well as their newly released album Live at wavelength studios!

  • Ty Curtis commands attention in the blues genre. With a voice that echoes with depth and guitar skills that mesmerize he's released 8 albums to date even sharing the stage with big names like George Thorogood, The Doobie Brothers, and blues legend Robert Cray.  The Blame me 2016 album received some of the best reviews of his career and was selected as #9 Top Blues Rock Albums of 2016 by bluesrockreview.com placed with such names as Joe Bonamassa, Jeff Beck and Devon Allmond. Backed by a seasoned talented band, including David Kahl on bass, and Richard Lawrence on drums, his music is captivating and heartfelt. Their latest album, "Ascendant Blues," continues to impress fans old and new. If you’ve seen Ty Curtis before, then be prepared for what others have said; that, as good as he is, there is now an elevated quality about seeing him performing, especially with this band. If you’ve never had the pleasure, prepare yourselves; you’re about to embark on a memorable journey. Ty’s musicianship and voice at his live shows are electrifying, draw from the rich blues tradition and leave audiences stunned. “Finding an artist that is an originator like Ty has always been a rare thing” - David Z (Prince, Johnny Lang) and he is proving to be an artist that will be around for generations to come.

    My musical roots began in Portland, Oregon at the age of six. I fell in love with playing the guitar and it is my passion! I have explored many different styles of music through the years: such as heavy metal, rock, jazz and the blues. At this time I am focusing on the blues with my band Taylor Newville and the Riders. My band and I get the crowd moving and rock the blues with my guitar riffs and solos! My musical influences are many including BB King, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, Roy Buchanan, Joe Bonamassa, and Bonnie Rait, to name a few! I was a finalist in the regional Journey to Memphis International Blues competition 2023 and have been nominated for the 2023,  2024, 2025 Cascade Blues Association Muddy Awards for best new artist! Also, nominated for 2024 and 2025  Performance of the year Waterfront Blues Festival - Sail on Sisters and Cathedral Jazz Festival. Also, nominated for 2024 and 2025 Contemporary Blues Act Muddy Awards. My band, Taylor Newville and the Riders have been playing big stages including Waterfront Blues Festival, Cathedral Jazz Festival, Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival, MD 25 Festival and the headliner for the 2025 Peninsula Blues Festival. In 2026 my band went to Memphis, Tennessee and played on Beale Street at Club 152 Pacific Northwest Showcase and Alfred’s bar -National Women in Blues Showcase and Billy the Kid Showcase during the 2026 International Blues Challenge. Super fun we also got to go live on Radio Memphis! In 2023, I was also able to produce two CDs/EPs with my originals and a third CD/EP was released in July 2025 “Find My Way” which just got nominated by Cascade Blues Association Muddy Awards for best Northwest recording. Check out my music on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon music and other streaming platforms.

STAGE TWO

  • John Orr is a singer, songwriter and guitarist who has played music on the

    North Coast for 25 years. He founded Red Bean Blues and performs with

    harmonica virtuoso/songwriter Dave Gofreed and bassist/vocalist Matthew

    Gallaher. John recently completed his third original CD, titled  “A Lot to

    Remember, A Lot to Forget.’ John also plays dobro, steel guitar and often

    performs with The Red Bean Trio featuring vocalist Chelsea LaFey. His

    songwriting reflects his sardonic take on life and the often strange and

    wonderful world we inhabit. His guitar playing reveals elements of Texas

    blues and bluesy jazz.

  • Dave Gofreed of Red Bean Blues Trio is a dedicated, passionate performer

    and one of the best harp players around. He is also a talented songwriter and

    vocalist. Dave established himself previously in the Baltimore and Portland

    Oregon blues scenes.

SATURDAY HEADLINER

SATURDAY LINEUP

STAGE ONE

  • Kenny James Miller Band is a Blues/Rock band out of Montana performing original music. 

    They’ve played many NW festivals and shared stages with many national bands. 

    Kjmb has been on  two PBS programs. 11th and Grant, Inland Sessions.  

    Voted 2012 Inland Empire Blues Society “Best New Blues band” 

    Two time regional winners and 2nd place finalist of Memphis Blues Challenge, representing Wa State. Regional winners         2024 Duo category 

     “The Heavy T Leftones”

    Quote:

    "As we all know, there are many bands out there playing music. Among them, there are a few that "make it happen", bring incredible talent and energy to the gig and every single song they play. Kenny James Miller Band is one of those. Powerful, evocative, and a unique rock/blues band. That's why I had them on my TV show, "11th & Grant with Eric Funk", the six time Emmy Award winning Montana PBS series that features professional Montana musicians.

    -Eric Funk 


  • The Norman Sylvester Band has played over 4000 gigs in their 40 years! They were at the first Waterfront Blues Festival in 1987, when a promoter gave them the opportunity to open for B.B. King at the Arlene Schnitzer Hall. Since then they have shared the stage with the likes of James Cotton, Tower of Power, Buddy Guy, Five Blind Boys of Alabama, Peter Frampton and many more.

    The band tours all over the Northwest with their energetic Rhythm & Blues showcase. They are playing Festivals, private & corporate parties, schools and venues all over the region, so just check out the calendar and join the party!

    The 2024 band members include Norman “Boogie Cat” Sylvester, dynamic female vocalist Lenanne Sylvester-Miller, his Bass man (from the beginning) Rob Shoemaker, drummer Donald Taylor, keyboard player Jeff Otto and horn players Peter Moss, Shoehorn & Renato Caranto.

  • Bobby Patterson is a Northwest blues legend. He has won numerous accolades and awards including the Inland Empire Blues Society’s awards for Best Blues Guitarist, Vocalist and Performer. Bobby is a prolific composer and recording artist as well. His latest release is “bpb5”, a new album of original songs. The

    Bobby Patterson Band is anchored by award-winning percussionist Ken Danielson. It features Tom Brewster on bass, Chuck Swanson on sax and Dave Goering on keyboards. The band has a huge and exciting sound that perfectly complements Bobby’s incredible guitar playing and singing

STAGE TWO

  • Guitarist | Jazz • Blues • Rock | Astoria, Oregon

    Freddy Walker is a dynamic and expressive guitarist whose playing bridges technical precision with emotional depth. Blending jazz, blues, and rock, his sound reflects the spirit of Robben Ford, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Johnson, alongside Steve Khan’s sophisticated harmonic approach — while maintaining a distinct voice rooted in nuanced phrasing, expressive tone, and groove-driven improvisation.

    Walker has performed at The Stone (San Francisco), Bald Eagle Days Festival (WA), and the Peninsula Blues Festival (North Coast). He toured with blues legend John Lee Hooker and has shared stages with David Bromberg. As guitarist for the Anemic Boyfriends, he contributed to the nationally aired single “(Guys Are Not Proud),” which received national airplay on WNEW in New York.

    A sought-after session guitarist, Walker has recorded in Nashville, Los Angeles (Rocket Records), Capitol Records, as well as Portland and Seattle studios. His credits include British Petroleum television campaigns and extensive studio work for major labels and commercial projects.

  • Guitarist | Jazz • Blues • Rock | Astoria, Oregon

    Freddy Walker is a dynamic and expressive guitarist whose playing bridges technical precision with emotional depth. Blending jazz, blues, and rock, his sound reflects the spirit of Robben Ford, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Johnson, alongside Steve Khan’s sophisticated harmonic approach — while maintaining a distinct voice rooted in nuanced phrasing, expressive tone, and groove-driven improvisation.

    Walker has performed at The Stone (San Francisco), Bald Eagle Days Festival (WA), and the Peninsula Blues Festival (North Coast). He toured with blues legend John Lee Hooker and has shared stages with David Bromberg. As guitarist for the Anemic Boyfriends, he contributed to the nationally aired single “(Guys Are Not Proud),” which received national airplay on WNEW in New York.

    A sought-after session guitarist, Walker has recorded in Nashville, Los Angeles (Rocket Records), Capitol Records, as well as Portland and Seattle studios. His credits include British Petroleum television campaigns and extensive studio work for major labels and commercial projects.