Live Blues Music
Enjoy live blues throughout the weekend as talented regional musicians perform against the beautiful backdrop of Galveston Bay.
SATURDAY: 10 AM - 6 PM
10:00 – 11:30 AM | Big E and the Lowdown
12:00 – 1:30 PM | Leonard Lowdown Brown
2:00 – 3:30 PM | Mighty Orq and band
4:00 – 5:30 PM | Keesha Pratt
SUNDAY: 10 AM - 6 PM
10:00 – 11:30 AM | Leonard Lowdown Brown
12:00 – 1:30 PM | Ned Evett
2:00 – 3:30 PM | Zydeco Jay and Creole Pressure
FEATURED BLUES ARTISTS
Big E & The Lowdown
Houston, TX
Making their mark on the Texas blues scene, Big E & The Lowdown bring a powerful, high-energy sound rooted in rhythm & blues, rock, and soul. Fronted by Big E on guitar and vocals, the band features Dwayne Johnson on drums and Ray Sauter on bass.
Though Big E has spent a lifetime immersed in music and performance, this dynamic trio marks his true introduction to the greater Houston area and beyond. Known for his electrifying guitar work and commanding stage presence, Big E blends rich melodic hooks with hard-driving rhythms and soulful grooves.
The result is a bold, layered sound that reflects a wide range of influences — always tight, always authentic, and always a crowd pleaser.
Leonard “Lowdown” Brown
Houston, TX
Leonard “Lowdown” Brown is an electric guitar–slinging blues legend in the Houston music scene, with more than four decades dedicated to his craft. Known for his virtuosic fingerpicking, soulful voice, and powerful stage presence, Lowdown blends gospel roots with deep Chicago and Texas blues influences.
Inspired by greats like B.B. King and T-Bone Walker, Brown developed his signature sound after years performing in gospel choirs and on the Chicago blues circuit before making Houston his home in 1980. Since then, he has become a staple of the city’s live blues music scene and has opened for icons including Sister Sledge, Johnny Taylor, and Bobby Bland.
A true ambassador of Texas blues, Leonard “Lowdown” Brown brings passion, authenticity, and unifying energy to every performance at the Bayfront Blues & Fine Art Festival in Galveston.
The Mighty Orq
Galveston, TX
Born in Houston but an Islander by choice, The Mighty Orq proudly calls Galveston home. We’re fortunate to have this exceptional talent living and creating right here on the Island.
Orq’s sound is as diverse as the Gulf Coast itself — a powerful blend of delta blues, bluesgrass, folk, roots, and psychedelic rock. Often described as “Gulf Coast Roots Music,” his style moves effortlessly from swampy juke joint grooves to gritty folk storytelling and electrifying rock-and-roll.
A masterful guitarist with a fierce stage presence, Orq has been praised by critics for decades. The Houston Chronicle noted he has “done remarkable things with a guitar,” while the Houston Press called him “a living, breathing piece of Texas musical heritage.” With multiple albums and international touring across the U.S. and Europe, The Mighty Orq delivers an unforgettable live blues experience.
Keeshea Pratt
Houston, TX
Keeshea Pratt is a powerhouse vocalist whose performances transcend genres and stir the soul. Rooted in Mississippi and now based in Houston, Texas, she moves effortlessly through blues, soul, gospel, and jazz—delivering every note with passion, vulnerability, and purpose.
Crowned the 2018 International Blues Challenge winner just eight months after forming her band, Pratt quickly became a rising force in modern blues. Their debut album BELIEVE earned Living Blues Magazine’s Best Debut Album award, confirming what audiences already know: Keeshea Pratt is a once-in-a-generation voice, creating transformative live music experiences with every performance.
Ned Evett
Nashville, TN
Ned Evett is an internationally acclaimed guitarist and the inventor of the groundbreaking Fretless Glass Guitar. A winner of the North American Rock Guitar Competition, Evett is known for his innovative technique, expressive tone, and genre-blending rock sound.
His latest album, Strange Kind of Freedom, continues a career that has included touring and recording with Jonny Lang, George Thorogood, and Leon Russell. In 2025, he served as the opening act for Joe Satriani and Steve Vai’s European summer tour.
Praised as “A True Original” by Guitar World Magazine and “The highly entertaining master of the Fretless Glass Guitar” by USA Today, Ned Evett delivers a dynamic live performance that fuses rock, blues, and innovation into an unforgettable musical experience.
Zydeco Jay
&
The Creole Pressure
Houston, TX
Born in the swamps of Louisiana, Zydeco Jay is the heartbeat of Zydeco Jay & Créole Pressure. A dynamic lead singer and accordion player, Jay brings the rhythmic pulse of the bayou to every stage with soulful vocals and electrifying accordion mastery.
Inspired by his cousin, zydeco legend Clifton Chenier, Jay carries deep Creole roots into a sound that blends traditional Louisiana zydeco with fresh, contemporary energy. His music tells stories of love, resilience, and celebration—delivered with authenticity and passion.
With infectious charisma and unstoppable grooves, Zydeco Jay turns every performance into a dance-filled celebration where the good times roll and the spirit of the bayou comes alive.
