Back when had hair and ‘s hair had only hints of grey, the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ blues musicians took their act to Memphis and made it to the finals of the 2010 International Blues Challenge.
On Saturday, Oct. 26, they will reunite — Migliazza with a goatee and no hair, Walbank with salt getting the better of the pepper in his still thick hair — for the Blues Heritage Festival at Kennedy Park.
“It’s going to be fun,†Migliazza, 44, said from home in Rhode Island, where he moved a year ago from New York with his wife and two young children. “I’m assuming it’s going to be like I just saw him yesterday.â€
The duo join a lineup that includes the critically acclaimed young Brazilian blues guitarist headlining with SoCal blues guitarist/singer and her namesake band opening.
People are also reading…
This is the 39th blues festival, 20 of which were presented by the Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Blues Heritage Foundation. The group took over the festival in 2003 after its founder the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Blues Society disbanded.
Past events have been held at Rillito Downs, Reid Park and Oro Valley’s Steam Pump Ranch. This year it’s being held at Kennedy Park, where blues foundation President Rita Flattley said she hopes it will be held for years to come.
“I think it’s a really beautiful facility. It’s really well laid out. It’s perfect for musical events,†she said. “I want it to be our new forever home.â€
It was Flattley’s idea to bring back together boogie woogie pianist Migliazza, who grew up in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and left town a dozen or so years ago, and harmonica whiz Walbank. She also was behind the pair’s 2010 trip to Memphis.
The blues foundation back then hosted a battle of the bands contest and Flattley, who has been involved in the group nearly since its founding, proposed adding a competition for duos or soloists.
Walbank and Migliazza, who started playing together after a chance meeting in 2003, entered as a duo and won.
The band winner that year was the Bryan Dean Trio, which also went to the international competition and is on Saturday’s lineup.
“We’re bringing back both bands that were winners in 2010 who we raised funds to send to Memphis because we wanted the world to see how great our musicians are,†Flattley said.
The trio is in the afternoon slot ahead of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ blues band The Porch Rockers.
Saturday’s festival runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Kennedy Park, 33576 S. La Cholla Blvd. Tickets are $25 in advance through , or $30 at the gate; 18 and under are free.
The lineup:
- 11 a.m., young artists from ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s School of Rock
- 11:45, Eric Ramsey
- 12:45 p.m., Arthur Migliazza and Tom Walbank
- 1:45, Bryan Dean Trio
- 2:45, The Porch Rockers
- 3:45, Laurie Morvan Band
- 5:30, Artur Menezes