THE 2011 SHABOO BLUES FESTIVAL
The legendary Shaboo Inn in Mansfield staged over 3000 concerts between 1971 and 1982. On June 25, 2011, a 40th anniversary concert was held at Jillson Square in Willimantic, with proceeds benefitting the outpatient and oncology department at Windham Hospital. Two frequent Shaboo performers–the Elvin Bishop Group and the James Cotton Blues Band–were followed by David Foster and the Mohegan Sun All-Stars. A fantastic time was had by all!
WILI’s Wayne Norman introduced the day’s first act–the Elvin Bishop Group. That’s Elvin on the right — Michael O’Toole photo
One of the great blues guitarists, Elvin Bishop (right)
Elvin took his act into the crowd
Elvin Bishop — Patty Tuite photo
UConn basketball great Wes Bialosuknia and his wife Maureen enjoyed the festival
Wes, David Foster, and Wayne — Michael O’Toole photo
The James Cotton Blues Band was up next. They came in from Albuquerque that morning.
James Cotton playing the mouth harp (harmonica)
The king of the super harp, James Cotton — Patty Tuite photo
Elvin Bishop (center) sat in with the Cotton Band — Patty Tuite photo
WILI’s Wayne Norman showed the crowd the double album recorded live at the Shaboo in 1977, called “Live And On The Move” by the James Cotton Band
One of the spectators at the Shaboo Blues Festival was Mike “Captain Z” Zaitchik, who played keyboards on that 1977 James Cotton Band album recorded live at Shaboo — Patty Tuite photo
Local blues singer Patty Tuite (sister of WILI’s John Tuite) and Wayne introduce David Foster and the Mohegan Sun All Stars
David Foster and the Mohegan Sun All Stars
David Foster, flanked by two drummers and four horn players — Patty Tuite photo
The horn section did solos — Patty Tuite photo
And the horns played as a quartet — Patty Tuite photo
16-year old Solomon Hicks from Harlem joined the All-Stars for a few numbers and blew the crowd away with his pickin’ — Douglas John Ross, Sr. photo
Solomon played the guitar while holding it BEHIND his head–and didn’t miss a note
Christine Ohlman joined the All Stars for a few numbers — Patty Tuite photo
TO SEE PHOTOS FROM PRIOR SHABOO REUNIONS AND A LISTING OF THE MANY ARTISTS WHO PLAYED SHABOO, CLICK HERE. TO HEAR ANY OF TEN WAYNE NORMAN SHOW INTERVIEWS WITH DAVID FOSTER ABOUT THE SHABOO DAYS, CLICK HERE, AND SCROLL TO DECEMBER 26, 2013, NOVEMBER 29, 2013, NOVEMBER 23, 2012, AUGUST 5, 2011, JUNE 24, 2011, JUNE 22, 2011, JUNE 25, 2010, APRIL 28, 2010, OCTOBER 15, 2009, JUNE 20, 2008, AND AUGUST 16, 2007.
