Twice as Much Blues at the Wodan Halle

Andrew Duncanson with Band (USA) & JW-Jones (CAN) Two Concerts JW-Jones (CAN) 7:30 p.m.
A wild show and top-notch talent

“This is an amazing blues band,” says none other than Dan Aykroyd about Josh’s trio—and the man clearly has a good ear for music. Kim Wilson and Buddy Guy are also full of praise for these exceptional Canadian musicians. JW-Jones has impressively showcased his extraordinary talent across 12 albums to date—and he really turns it up a notch live: scorching guitar solos, high-energy performances, and a stage presence that has already left audiences in 24 countries across four continents with their mouths agape, feet tapping, and occasionally stunned expressions. No wonder, then, that the master of the strings is now ranked among the Billboard Top 10 Blues Artists, has been JUNO-nominated, regularly sweeps the board at the glamorous Ottawa Awards, and ceaselessly collects awards for his guitar playing, vocals, albums, and performances—crowned by the title “Best Guitarist” in 2020 at the International Blues Challenge.

In short: We promise a powerful, authentic blues experience and recommend this performance to anyone who loves the pure sound of the electric guitar and who, at the first sign of “too much rock,” instinctively gives the amplifier a disapproving look. Charlie Musselwhite is also thrilled, by the way: “JW is one of the best guitarists I’ve heard in a long time. ... The band plays the blues with both taste and fire!”

JW-Jones (g, voc), Harrison Singer (bg, voc), Darius Moghaddam (dr, voc)

Andrew Duncanson & Take a Ride feat. Michael Peloquin (USA) approx. 9:15 PM
Blues with Gas in the Tank

Andrew Duncanson is one of those singers where you know right from the first few bars: This isn’t just for show—he really delivers. For more than two decades, the singer, guitarist, songwriter, and bandleader from Illinois has been shaping the blues and soul scene—including with the Kilborn Alley Blues Band and the all-star trio The Dig 3. For a long time, he was something of an insider’s pick for people who like their music with heart, attitude, and plenty of groove. Now, he rightfully stands where a voice of this caliber belongs: in the spotlight. In addition to his distinctive voice, his guitar playing also sets him apart: technically brilliant, yet never losing sight of the soul of the blues, with a tone and feeling that get right under your skin.

His music blends Chicago blues, Southern soul, and the spirit of the legendary Stax label—exactly the kind of mix that makes your feet suddenly want to take on a life of their own. If you think of Little Milton, Junior Wells, Bobby Womack, Johnnie Taylor, or Van Morrison, you’ll come close to understanding Andrews’ expressiveness—and at the same time quickly realize: This man doesn’t copy; he tells his own stories. Of life experiences, setbacks, hope, and perseverance—raw and soulful, yet always with musical elegance.

With his solo album *California Trap*, Andrew has made a powerful statement—one that doesn’t beg for attention but simply commands it. Recorded at Kid Andersen’s renowned Greaseland Studios in San José, the album immediately made it into the Top 10 of the Living Blues Radio Charts and earned Andrew nominations at the Blues Blast Awards—including for Best Contemporary Blues Album as well as Male Blues Artist and Singer of the Year.

Michael Peloquin plays a central role in this. He is a saxophonist, harmonica player, arranger, co-producer, and clearly a man who knows exactly when his horn section arrangements need to give the music depth, warmth, and that soulful drive that makes Take a Ride’s sound so special.

With this very band—his current group, Take a Ride—Andrew is now bringing this soundscape to the Freiburg Blues Festival stage: powerful blues, soulful soul, groovy brass arrangements, and songs that find their way straight to your gut and your heart. The evening promises a concert featuring a powerful voice, deep emotion, and a nine-piece band that doesn’t treat the blues like a museum piece, but rather embraces it wholeheartedly, breathes new life into it, and brings it into the present with genuine joy.

Andrew Duncanson & Take a Ride feat. Michael Peloquin embody blues and soul at the highest level—stylish, earthy, and with enough groove to seriously get even the most steadfast seated fans on their feet. A concert for everyone who loves great voices, powerful songs, and the irresistible sound of an excellent live band.