Houston blues diva Keeshea Pratt was crowned queen of the 2018 International Blues challenge this weekend as the 34th annual edition of the blues competition wrapped up on Saturday at downtown’s Orpheum, with Pratt and her brass-heavy Texas ensemble taking home the first place in the best band category.
Pratt triumphed over beloved Bluff City combo Fuzzy Jeffries and the Kings of Memphis, who came in second, while Brazilian musician Arthur Menezes and his band placed third.
The Saturday finale capped five days of performances and activities in and around Beale Street for the IBC, which is staged by the Memphis-based Blues Foundation.
The Orpheum concert also saw a close battle in the solo/duo category, with Kevin “B.F.” Burt from Iowa edging out Norwegian slide guitarist Daniel Erikson. Burt also was recognized as the event’s top harmonica player, while Menezes nabbed the IBC’s best guitarist prize.
In addition to the formal competition, the IBC included youth and international showcases, various panels and symposiums, and the Keeping the Blues Alive awards ceremonies. Blues Foundation estimates put attendance at roughly 2,500-3,000 people per day.
The IBC, which kicked off on Tuesday, began amid unusually cold weather, just as some 230 acts from across the globe – coming from as far as Australia and Spain – arrived in Memphis. "We were only slightly affected on the front end by the weather," said Blues Foundation Chief Operating Officer Joe Whitmer. "But really everybody who had plans to come made it and had a great time. The blues audience is dedicated -- this is there Super Bowl. So they were coming and ready to enjoy no matter what.
By the time Wednesday’s competitive rounds began, rising temperatures and improving conditions found the various Beale Street venues begin to fill. The 210 competing acts were weaned down by judges during quarterfinal and semifinal rounds continuing Thursday and Friday. Saturday’s finals narrowed the field of competitors to a final eight in both categories.
With the IBC in its rear view mirror, the Blues Foundation will turn its attention to its other major annual event, the Blues Music Awards. The spring ceremonies will feature a group of noted nominees including Memphis soul singer Don Bryant, Mid-South blues-rockers North Mississippi Allstars, and R&B veterans Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm, among those up for prizes at 39th annual presentation.
The BMAs are set for May 10 at the Cook Convention Center. Tickets are available at blues.org