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DK Harrell's set on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise.

For those readers who love the blues and attend Duluth’s annual Bayfront Blues Festival, imagine it lasting not three but seven days. Would that be enough blues to satisfy you? Too much blues? 

Well, take a voyage with the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise (LRBC), as the Curmudgeon and I did Oct. 25 through Nov. 1, and you’d be sure to find out. That is if you are able to book passage. These twice-a-year cruises fill up nearly a year in advance and, unless you are extraordinarily lucky (like moi), you will need to plan far ahead. And start saving your pennies, since this is a costly musical treat. 

Indeed, the splurge makes BBF a real bargain by comparison.

I have never been on a cruise, nor was I likely to take one since the Curmudgeon declared he would only go on one “over my dead body.” But when our local blues lady, Rebecca Lindquist, who hosts a Saturday afternoon radio program on The North, turned me onto the LRBC, which she and her hubby Bob had taken a few times, I decided this might be just the thing for me. Once I got a look at the lineup I was sold. 

So, I got on a waiting list and crossed my fingers.  But wait, what? I was only 234th on that list? This required a bit more ingenuity to manage passage before October 2026! An entry on the LRBC chat page pleading my case netted a berth on the 43rd Sea of Cortez LRBC, a week-long cruise out of San Diego with three port stops in Mexico. Lucky for me, but not for a man who needed to cancel his reservation due to a required hip surgery.

Me and Keb' Mo'

Being a big fan of Keb’ Mo’, his headlining, together with Taj Mahal, was the main selling point. But he wasn’t the only attraction — Ana Popovic and Maria Muldaur were two other performers I was keen to see. Also on this cruise was Tommy Castro and the Pain Killers. 

As the week progressed and the C and I saw many acts, some twice, I became aware of how many I had the privilege of seeing in the Twin Ports just these past few years (since COVID). Between Earth Rider in Superior, the West Theatre in Duluth and the Bayfront Blues Festival, we have had the opportunity to hear some of the best of the best. This cruise was no different.

These are the performers I got to see again, up close and personal: Ana Popovic & Fantastafunk Big Band, first seen at Earth Rider, then at BBF; Tommy Castro & The Painkillers and Shemekia Copeland both at the West; and then scads seen at BBF — Rick Estrin & the Nightcats, Mathias Lattin, Desoto Tiger’s Testimony, Buckwheat Zydeco Jr., Mr. Sipp, Tommy Castro & the Painkillers and probably some others I’ve forgotten. 

As great as it was to hear and dance to these musicians once and twice again, I was blown away by those I had not seen before — both youngsters (and I mean young—a 14-year-old John Clayton White among them) and the more seasoned pros.

John Clayton White

Where to begin when highlighting the talent and knowledge condensed into one week and a ship on the high seas?  There were eight venues and nearly 140 musicians heard in various combinations. The “Billboard Onboard” (piano bar) was going strong with Mitch Woods enlivening the scene from the moment of boarding on Saturday, Oct. 25. 

The 24-year-old Mathias Lattin followed in the nearby Rolling Stone Lounge for the next hour. After that it was time to pick and choose between impossibly tempting options. (Much like I do every week at home.) We got a taste of Victor Wainwright & the Train early the first evening at the “Seaview Pool Aft” stage where the pool was covered over with plywood to provide a sizable dance floor. Nice! 

Then I made sure to see Keb’, Ana and Rick on this first day. Though music continued with “Pro Jams” into the wee hours, this was a something we heard as we slept in a state room immediately below that same venue.

Sunday, Oct. 26, provided a special vibe with Mr. Sipp leading a Gospel Show in the early afternoon followed by a presentation of “Great Women of the Blues.” In the latter, Maria Muldaur shared stories and her renditions of songs by these seminal women artists in this educational multi-media event. 

Muldaur’s latest album, One Hour Mama, covered the songs of Victoria Spivey (1906-1976). Spivey, AKA “Queen Victoria,” was a Texan whose career lasted from 1926 to the mid-1960s. She founded her own record company and was responsible for Bob Dylan’s first ever recording, playing backup harmonica! 

Also on Sunday, I got to hear the Texan Eden Brent (singer/pianist) at the piano bar accompanied by her husband Bob Dowell, who alternated between bass guitar and trombone. Eden had a gutsy voice reminiscent of Janis Joplin. Very different and cool. 

Bob Dowell and Eden Brent 

Later that day we experienced two other concerts, one by a dynamic Dylan Triplett, who had something of a Stevie Wonder sound. The other was by Kenny Wayne Shepherd together with Noah Hunt plus numerous other players (including a fabulous horn section) — typical of all the concerts on the large World Stage. He was clearly playing in the Albert Cummings and Buddy Guy mode with heavy electric guitar emphasis.

The only Mariachi music we heard on this trip was when we were serenaded by a trio during lunch in the touristy Cabo, San Lucas, Mexico. We chose not to spend much time there and got back to the ship in time to hear the Nick Schnebelen Band out of Kansas City, MO, at the Rolling Stone Lounge. That band was tight! 

Late that same evening Taj Mahal & the Savoy Band performed with guest appearances by Maria Muldaur and others on the World Stage. You just couldn’t do better than this! 

But then later in the week we discovered Dennis Jones who packed the BB King’s Blues Club, another of the performers new to me. He’s definitely one I’d love to see perform at BBF.

There were so many impressive musicians I can’t possibly name them all here. However, several individual young Black bluesmen, in addition to Dylan Triplett mentioned above — Sean “Mack” McDonald, Stephen Hull, Marquise Knox, D.K. Harrell, each with their own bands and sets, gave us a glimpse at the future of the blues genre. 

Panel discussion

A panel discussion that included Hull and McDonald was particularly enlightening in this regard. They were adamant that blues is not dead but provides full expression for all the individual and societal issues that still confront us today. What a delight it was to see four of these 20-somethings on stage together (Triplett, Hull and Knox joining Harell during his set) on the final day of the cruise. They were singing “Let The Good Times Roll” and “The Blues are Alive and Well”! 

Drummer Tony Coleman, famous for touring with B.B. King and other top blues performers, was backing them up. A rowdy and wonderful set!

D'Mar

And speaking of famous drummers, I was especially taken with Derek “D’Mar” Martin, who added a whole other level of excitement to the many sets he sat in on with his characteristic jumping like a frog at the end of each upbeat number. I was thrilled to hear that he had played with Little Richard, then even more so when I met him after a performance and he confirmed he was with that icon of rock and roll for 13 years. I guess that’s where he must have been inspired to jump like that. It’s too bad I was unable to get a good photo of him in action!

Dom Flemons “The American Songster” who was a founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops (a traditional Black jug band) provided a stark contrast to the electric blues bands with the only acoustic show on the cruise. He showcased the roots of blues, playing vintage handmade instruments such as quills (panpipe made of sugar cane stalks) and bones (actual bones!) for percussion, along with banjo and different kinds of guitars. The Curmudgeon was particularly taken with this instructive performer, attending three of his shows. Another treat was Flemons’ wife, Vania Kinard, hosting a session that demonstrated Guamanian cooking, which was right up C’s alley. Later all the cruisers had the opportunity to taste chicken adobe done in this style.

Kid Andersen and friends

There were several large ensemble events on the World Stage wherein multiple artists came together to create one-of-a-kind shows. I attended two hosted by Kid Andersen, the owner, together with his wife Lisa (a singer with a lovely voice), of Greaseland Records, based in San Diego. The first, on Tuesday afternoon, introduced numerous artists whose music has been produced by that company. One was the wildly entertaining “Alabama Mike” (Michael Benjamin). The horn section with trumpet, trombone, alto and tenor saxophones was absolutely terrific. 

Alabama Mike

Mack McDonald and Ruth Davis joined the expanded crew, as did the legendary Bobby Rush who will turn 93 on November 10! The second was a day later. Titled “Tunes, Tales & Tributes,” it showcased Tommy Castro, Rick Estrin, D.K. Harrell, Jim Pugh (keys), Kyle Rowland (vocals, harmonica) and Steve Willis (accordion) among others.

Having viewed Victor Wainwright’s show on Saturday, we attended his 90-minute “Legendary Classic Blues Show” on Thursday. This performance displayed keyboardist and lead singer Victor’s talents as a comedian and showman. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed this hard at a music performance. 

At the same time, Victor and all the backup performers broadened our concepts of blues music. As a pianist, he was especially brilliant in covering Dr. John’s New Orleans style of the blues. Like the other large shows, this one featured numerous talented musicians of various stripes. A couple worth noting were the exceptional saxophonist Gavin Jorgansen and trumpeter Chandler Judkins.

All in all, the LRBC was a once-in-a-lifetime experience; thrilling for anyone like me who cherishes live performances above all else. But it wasn’t just the music, it was also the educational offerings — including the showing of documentary films such as Florida’s Chitlin’ Circuit — that broadened my appreciation for the blues and the musicians who continue to evolve this genre. I hope to see some of these fantastic musicians again right here in Duluth.

AFTERWORD: Some blues just can’t be borne: the untimely and tragic death of Todd Eckart is terrible news for the Twin Ports music community. My condolences to his family, bandmates, intimate friends and fans. I understand that the Historic Duluth Armory’s planned 2026 Buddy Holly Music Tribute, set for Sunday, Jan. 26, will honor him. I’m sure it will be an important time for us to share memories of Todd.