Duke Tumatoe & The Power Trio.
(Photos by Alyssa Richardson)

Though the ground was wet, skies were clear and the park was packed tonight to celebrate the annual Blues and BBQ Concert. The concert began at 6 p.m. at the Glover Pavilion.

The evening’s entertainment began with a performance by Elwood Splinters Blues Band, known as the “hardest working blues band”. Barbecue, ice cream, cotton candy and more were offered to guests as they gathered on the lawn with lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy some smooth blues.

At 8 p.m. legendary blues musician Duke Tumatoe & The Power Trio took the stage with its fusing of R&B, rock and blues.

One of the founding members of REO Speedwagon, Duke Tumatoe toured for 13 years with Duke Tumatoe and the All-Star Frogs. He later formed the Power Trio, also founding his own record label, Sweetfinger Music. Tumatoe has opened for musicians like Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, George Thorogood, Fabulous Thunderbirds and John Fogerty.

The Elwood Splinters Blues Band formed in 1988 to perform at a charity jam session and had no plans to continue beyond that point. The audience’s response, however, led them to continue and soon they were performing all over Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Tennessee. They have performed alongside names like Pinetop Perkins, Southside Denny, KoKo Taylor and her Blues Machine, Glenn Davis and Clarence Carter.