History of the Festival

Pordenone boasts a rich musical tradition, the cradle of numerous successful artists and bands. 

It is the 1991 when some music lovers join together to make the first edition of the Pordenone Blues Festival.

The success of the festival led, in 1992, to the birth of theAssociazione Pordenone Giovani, which is committed to the creation of international cultural events to promote local music and traditions.

The initiative aims to create a strong sense of belonging and to promote dialogue and exchange between European cultures, artists and citizens, thus promoting knowledge of historical and cultural roots.

Artists

Musicians who have performed at our Festival
Over the course of 35 years, the festival has hosted an extraordinary array of legendary artists and new talents from the international music scene. These are some of the musicians who have left their mark on the festival's history:

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

  • Ronnie Jones (USA)
  • Bayou Side (ITA)
  • Egidio Juke Ingala & The Jacknives (ITA)
  • Fernando Jones (USA)
  • Billie And The Kids (HR)
  • Francesco Piu (ITA)
  • Sven HammondSoul (NL)
  • Muddy Waters Jr. (USA)

2013

2012

2011

  • Big Daddy Wilson (USA)
  • Mz. Dee & Maurizio Pugno Organ Trio (USA / ITA)
  • Sharrie Williams & The Wise Guts (USA)
  • “Sir” Oliver Mally's Blues Distillery (A)

2010

2009

  • Ana Popovic (SRB/NL)
  • BB & The Blues Shacks (D)
  • Matt Schofield (UK)
  • Tillamok (ITA)

2008

2007

  • Cyril Neville & Tribe 13 (USA) Special Guest Papa Mali & Leo Nocentelli
  • Ronnie Jones & Soul Syndicate + Joyce Yuille (USA)
  • Tommy K. Jr. Vand (HU)

2006

  • Jimmy Joe & Gianni Massarutto (ITA)
  • Matthew Lee (ITA)
  • Mike Sponza & Central Europe Blues Convention (ITA / EU)
  • Pee Wee Ellis (USA)

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

  • Andy J. Forrest (USA)
  • Blues Fools(HU)
  • Bluesbreaker's (A)
  • Captain Jive (ITA)

2000

  • Bluesheads (ITA)
  • Paolo Bonfanti Band (ITA)
  • Son Seal Blues Band (USA)

1999

  • Super Acoustic Summit with Billy Branch + Matt “Guitar” Murphy + Joe Louis Walker
  • Venice Gospel Ensemble (ITA)
  • Vince Vallicelli & Billy Gregory Blues Explosion (ITA / USA)

1998

  • Herbie Goins & The Superband (USA)
  • Popa Chubby Band (USA)
  • Sandra Hall & The Moreblues Band with the Boomer Horns (ITA / USA)

1997

  • Bobbe Tee & C. (USA)
  • Doctor Love “Two Harp” Band(ITA)
  • Melvin Taylor & The Slack Band (USA)
  • Stefano Zabeo & Tv Mama(ITA)
  • BLUES Etcetera(ITA)
  • Brown Street Blues Band
  • Ronnie Jones (USA)
  • Y azoo (UK)

1996

1995

  • Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues (USA)
  • Herbie Goins (USA)
  • Jimmy Joe (ITA)
  • Otis Grand (UK)

1994

  • Black Burn (ITA)
  • Ray Gelato & The Giants Of Jive (UK)
  • St. Johns Upon Firedhouse (ITA)
  • Tolo Marton Band (ITA)

1993

  • Bad Sign (ITA)
  • Bluesheads (ITA)
  • Keith Dunn Band (USA)

1992

  • Big Fat Mama (ITA)
  • Bluesheads (ITA)
  • Michael Coleman Blues Band (USA)