Spring Break
Festival brings blues and brews to campus
Tara Duffy
Issue date: 5/12/08 Section: News
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Ted Gehrke, the festival producer, said about 7,000 people came out to listen to the sounds of the Robert Cray Band, Koko Taylor and her Blues Machine, Sonny Landreth, the Smokin' Joe Kubek Band featuring Bnois King, the Shane Dwight Band and Maxx Cabello, Jr.
SJSU's Associated Students and San Jose's Metro magazine were the main sponsors of the event.
"The Associated Students were extraordinary in their energy level," Gehrke said. "We had a really extraordinary bunch of young people working on the show."
Gehrke talked about the challenges of holding a free festival.
"It's tricky when you have a free festival on a college campus, but the Associated Students wouldn't have it any other way."
A few hundred people hung out in the beer and wine garden that had sprung up between the A.S. House and MacQuarrie Hall.
"We are just some dudes having some brews, listening to some blues," said Jimmy
Hennessy, a senior engineering major. "San Jose needs more of these things."
The Blues Festival has been in San Jose for 28 consecutive years, according to the Festival's Web site. Some people said that they were repeat attendees.
"I'm just having some drinks, listening to some good music," said Zack Caltagirone, a senior hospitality management major. "We came last year. It's a lot of fun."
Booths lined the front of Spartan Complex, selling things such as clothes and food. Sonny Landreth, a guitar player from Lafayette, La., was the fourth act to take the stage.
"I love the Bay Area," he said. "I want to come out here more."
Landreth said it was his first time playing the festival.
"I was impressed with how great everything sounded, with how organized it was and how great the wine selection was," he said. "Everyone did such a great job. I would love to come back."
San Carlos Plaza became "standing room only" when the Robert Cray Band took the
Stage at about 7 p.m.
"I love live music," said Nick Underwood, a senior liberal studies major. "This is my third year coming here. It's a nice day out, listening to some live music."
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