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Siegel Schwall Band Performs in Egg Harbor

On Sunday, August 17 at 7 pm, the Peg Egan Performing Arts Center in Egg Harbor will present the “Best of Blues” with the legendary Siegel Schwall Band.

Along with the first-wave British Invasion bands like The Rolling Stones, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, and stateside groups like The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the Siegel-Schwall Band was instrumental in The Great Blues Revival of the 1960s. Siegel-Schwall was Chicago-based, serving as the house band at the famed Pepper’s Lounge. They earned their spurs backing greats like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and Willie Dixon.

From 1966 until they disbanded in 1974, they ranked among the most important forces in reaching the baby boomer audience that sustains the blues to this day. The Siegel-Schwall Band also pioneered the cross-fertilization of the blues with other forms, performing Bill Russo’s “Three Pieces For Blues Band and Symphony Orchestra” in 1968 with the San Francisco Symphony and The Boston Pops. Corky Siegel has continued this expansion of the blues with his project, Chamber Blues.

The current band includes two other genuine notables, bassist Rollo Radford and drummer Sam Lay. Radford’s resume stretches from Martha & The Vandellas to Sun Ra, giving him the artistic range to follow wherever Siegel and Schwall want to take the blues. Lay’s credentials are awesome. His stellar work with Muddy Waters, Little Walter and Paul Butterfield earned him entry in both The Blues and The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

All concerts at the Peg Egan Performing Arts Center, located on Church Street, are free to the public. This concert is sponsored by Leinenkugel’s, and their beer will be featured throughout the evening along with concessions from the Egg Harbor Business Association.

Please remember to bring your lawn chair or blanket and don’t forget your sunglasses. In case of rain, the concert will be held at the Orchard Golf Course in Egg Harbor. For more information please 920.493.5979.