Classic Chicago Blues and a European Touch at the Wodan Halle

Elise Frank (F) 7:30 p.m.
Energy, emotion—and serious goosebumps

Elise is an artist you don’t just listen to and then forget about, like a shopping list left on the kitchen table. She is a fearless songwriter, a captivating performer, and gives her all on stage right up to the very last agonizing note, at which point even the amplifiers briefly hold their breath in respect.

After five years of touring the world under the name FRANK, she’s now launching a new chapter with full force: “I Didn’t Pay For It,” her second solo album, was recently released—and has received rave reviews. Don’t expect glossy perfection with a pretty bow—instead, expect raw energy, deep emotion, and the beautiful human imperfection that is exactly what makes music so exciting. Minimalist, organic, and uncompromising, this power trio delivers its songs with a lot of heart and gut. Élise’s music moves between blues, rock, and soul, occasionally spiced with infectious pop elements. Sensual, rebellious, refreshing, and nostalgic, Élise gives free rein to her emotions, plays with words, and tells stories with depth. This inevitably raises the question: How can such a young artist perform with an intensity that takes others three decades, countless broken guitar cases, and at least a hundred scandalous backstage anecdotes to achieve? Her appreciation for the music of the past also comes through. She takes the old sound and transforms it into something of her own—powerful and authentic. Her music is clear, powerful, and pure as a diamond—only louder. A promising future awaits Èlise Frank—and this evening should be a real taste of what’s to come.
Èlise Frank (g, voc), Josselin Fleury (bg), Sèbastian Gaschard (dr)

Tad Robinson (USA) 9:15 p.m.
“Exquisitely evocative” (Mojo Magazine)

When Tad Robinson takes the stage, the room heats up—and it’s not just because of the spotlights. The American singer and harmonica player is considered one of the great voices of modern blues: down-to-earth, soulful, elegant, and packed with plenty of rousing rhythm.

After more than 50 years of an impressive career, Tad ranks among the leading figures of white blues and soul. His musical roots stretch from New York through Indiana to Chicago—and that’s exactly how it sounds: Southern soul from Memphis meets earthy Chicago blues, accompanied by a harmonica that breathes the spirit of Junior Wells, James Cotton, Big Walter Horton, and Sonny Boy Williamson. Tad masters this small instrument with great finesse: at times delicate and singing, at others biting, driving, and full of rhythmic punch—as if the harp weren’t just accompanying but actually giving the whole band a friendly push forward. In short: This is blues with heart, attitude, and plenty of punch.

His voice is compared to that of greats like Otis Redding and Al Green. *Downbeat* magazine ranks him among the best living blues singers. And anyone who hears him quickly understands why: Robinson doesn’t just sing songs—he breathes soul into them—an energy underpinned by incredible musical mastery.

Ten nominations for the Blues Music Awards, recordings for Delmark and Severn Records, international tours in over twenty countries, and performances at the world’s most important blues festivals speak for themselves. Since his collaboration with Dave Specter & The Bluebirds and the album *Blueplicity*, Tad has been a fixture on the scene. Also legendary is a live recording featuring German musicians: with B. B. & The Blues Shacks at the Lucerne Blues Festival—proof that Tad is equally at home in jump blues.

For the Freiburg Blues Festival, Tad will take the stage with a top-notch nonet featuring a horn section. He will be accompanied by The Özdemirs, the family band regularly booked by American blues greats for European tours. Together with the internationally diverse horn section, they create a sound that evokes memories of great big bands and Motown albums: swinging, soulful, jazzy, full of positive energy—and guaranteed to get you grooving.

If you love rock-infused blues, warm soul, laid-back swing, and a harmonica that doesn’t just play notes but tells stories, you should mark this evening in red on your calendar. Or blue. The main thing is—it’s blues!