Waterfront Blues Festival

A raucous voyage through New Orleans funk, soul, blues and jazz featuring three acts with deep roots in the Crescent City. Cruise the beautiful Willamette River on the Portland Spirit, presented by Kona Big Wave.

This raucous voyage through New Orleans funk, soul, blues and jazz features three acts with deep roots in the Crescent City. Bon Bon Vivant pays homage to the bawdy NOLA sound, infusing it with a mysterious Klezmer spark and up-tempo dance grooves. Kota Dosa puts a psychedelic spin on a blend of soul, blues, and jazz. Expatriate NOLA saxophonist Reggie Houston hangs ten with his quartet. $65 BUY NOW CRUISIN' TO MEMPHIS

A floating celebration of up-and-coming and legendary blues and soul artists, with a little friendly competition to boot. Cheer on your favorite act at the Cascade Blues Association’s Journey to Memphis Finals, and jam out to the Journey to Memphis Allstars – Rae Gordon, Ben Rice, CD Woodbury, Fenix Sanders, Joel Astley and Polly O’Keary. Also appearing are Sleeper Wave (competed last year in the IBC Youth division) and Tacoma guitarist/vocalist Billy Stoops (whose swampy group Junkyard Jane mad

Journey to Memphis featuring Journey to Memphis Allstars & Finals with Rae Gordon, Ben Rice, CD Woodbury, Fenix Sanders, Joel Astley and Polly O'Keary. Cruise the beautiful Willamette River on the Portland Spirit.

Performance at Waterfront Blues Festival

Blues, soul, folk, Americana, jazz, gospel and rock. Soulful smokey vocals combined with powerful multi-instrumental abilities. Collaborated with blues artists Eric Gales and Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram on album 'Not Defeated'.

Spend an afternoon on the Willamette celebrating Portland's women of blues and soul. Cruise the beautiful Willamette River on the Portland Spirit, presented by Kona Big Wave.

Spend an afternoon on the Willamette celebrating Portland’s women of blues and soul! This cruise features Sonny Hess’ allstar gathering of NW Women Rhythm & Blues, soul-blues powerhouse Ms. Vee and a Badass Band, and acoustic guitar virtuoso Mary Flower in a special duo with California Honeydrops’ reed-man, Leon Cotter. Sail on Sister is a Blues Fest Cares cruise, benefiting the Waterfront Blues Festival’s 2026 Community Partners, Meals on Wheels People and The Jeremy Wilson Foundation. $65 BUY