In addition to the zoo and wildlife, Les Whitt had another great love–music, especially the blues. This year will be a very special remembrance as the James Boogaloo Bolden Blues Band plays a tribute to the King of the Blues. For over thirty years, James Bolden was trumpet player and band leader for the B.B. King Blues Band. James Boogaloo Bolden Blues Band is a powerhouse of fantastic musicians with the dynamic James Bolden leading the group. What enriches this performance for so many of us is the fact that James Bolden was one of Les’ friends.
Each year, time was set aside in June for his “real vacation”. In the beginning, the tours were long, sometimes up to two weeks on the road, but as time passed, the circuit shortened. As Les’ children got older, the time in June became a Whitt family tradition as well. The last fifteen years (up until Les’ passing in 2008), B.B. King and his musicians only spent between 3 to 7 days on the highways and back roads of Mississippi. The venues were wide-ranging, from very rural stages, backstreet bars, and rodeo arenas to the most elegant theaters and performing arts centers. The venue didn’t matter because B.B.’s unmistakable bluesy voice and unique style of playing his sweet Lucille was the same for all audiences. B.B. King took the music to the people of his home state and Les Whitt absorbed every minute of it!
Almost every year, Les invited a friend or two to join him and experience the Homecoming Tour. They usually had to work the gigs with him, but they also got to meet and enjoy some incredible talent–Bobby Blue Bland, Little Milton, Bobby Rush, Gregg Allman, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Taylor, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tyrone Davis, Wolfman Jack, Albert King and many, many others. What will make LES FEST 2015 spectacular are all the past experiences rolled into one fabulous performance on stage as the James Boogaloo Bolden Blues Band plays a tribute to two friends, B.B. King and Les Whitt.
For more information, call (318) 441-6810 or email info@thealexandriazoo.com.