The IBC has evolved into the nation’s biggest and most respected showcase for Blues musicians ready to take their act to the national stage. The IBC is a judged “Battle of the Bands” in which competitors take the stage and play a short set for a panel of judges. The acts are judged based on an established set of criteria.
The IBC represents an international search by The Blues Foundation and its Affiliated Organizations (mostly blues societies) for the Blues Band and Solo/Duo Blues Act ready to perform on a national stage, but just need that extra break. Each Affiliate of The Blues Foundation has the right to send a band and solo/duo act to represent the organization at the IBC Semi-Finals on Beale Street in Memphis, TN.
The list of current blues artists that have competed in the IBC over the years is impressive indeed: Slick Ballinger, Barbara Blue, Fiona Boyes, Eden Brent, Keith Brown, Michael Burks, Sean Carney, Albert Castiglia, Tommy Castro, the late Sean Costello, Albert Cummings, Delta Moon, Larry Garner, Joey Gilmore, Diunna Greenleaf, Zac Harmon, Homemade Jamz Blues Band, Richard Johnston, Joe Moss, Jason Ricci, Robin Rogers, Matthew Skoller, Super Chikan, Patrick Sweany, Susan Tedeschi, Teeny Tucker, Watermelon Slim, the late John Weston and Michelle Wilson.
Sean Carney and John Del Toro Richardson play the blues at the jam session, Memphis International Blues Challenge 2012. This photograph was taken at the New Daisy. This was taken with a flash, and is always challenging to get the lighting, colors and white balance correct. Here are some photographs of the event taken last year here in Memphis of the Memphis Int’l Blues Challenge.
Photograph taken at New Daisy during the Memphis Int’l Blues Challenge this year. Now that is one heck of a saxophone.
Photograph of this event was taken in color and converted to Black & White in post processing using Nik Silver Efex Pro 2.
Photograph taken at the New Daisy Theater. Photograph of the event was taken in color but converted to black and white in post processing using Nik Silver Efex Pro 2.
Photographing this event is always fun, and challenging. Lighting inside with dark walls, ceilings, and variety of lights makes the mood more interesting.
Do you prefer photographs in color or black and white?
