Arlington, VA – Winning accolades for appearing with Prince, vocalist and guitarist JUDITH HILL headlines The Columbia Pike Blues Festival on Saturday (1:00 – 8:30 pm) June 17th, 2023. Featured in the Oscar and Grammy Award-winning documentary “20 Feet from Stardom,” it’s a ‘family affair’ for Hill whose blues musician parents are in her backup band. The family vibe continues with a full line up of blues, R&B, and funk performers of national and regional note that includes: husband and wife singer & guitarist Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers, Arlington’s master guitarist and vocalist Bobby Thompson, Baltimore’s Gayle Harrod Band, and acoustic DC-duo Spice Cake Blues. Bring your whole family to this free event covering three blocks at the intersection of S. Walter Reed Drive and Columbia Pike, in Arlington, VA.
Hailed as “Arlington’s best block party” (Arlington Magazine), the Festival draws thousands of blues fans to the Pike each year. Now in its 26th year, the event is presented by the Columbia Pike Partnership in collaboration with Arlington Arts.
“Blistering! [Hill] is a great vocalist, yes, but her guitar shredding was incredible!
– MusicFestNews.com (3/9/23)
“’Baby, I’m Hollywood!,’ [is] a soulful, introspective, funky, toe-tapping and head-bobbing journey through Hill’s life and times.” – American Songwriter
Judith Hill On her latest LP Baby, I’m Hollywood, Judith Hill unveils a kaleidoscopic document detailing her journey of self-discovery. The 13-track record is a vibrant excursion into the annals of Black music: past, present and future. Rich in throwback soul, stunning piano balladry, and swaggering psychedelic funk, the self-produced album finds Hill liberated, focused and reborn. Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, Judith Hill comes from a Japanese/African American bi-racial musical family. Mother Michiko and father Robert (aka: “Pee Wee”) met in a 1970’s funk band and continue to perform in Judith’s ensemble. Over the next decade, Judith evolved into a soul singer, songwriter, and badass bandleader collaborating with iconic artists across multiple genres, including: Spike Lee; John Legend, Josh Groban, and a duet with the late Michael Jackson on “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You.” Her career is explored in the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom, where her performances helped it also win a Grammy for “Best Music Film.” Registering solidly on the fourth season of TV’s The Voice, Hill sang on the official soundtracks for Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, and Happy Feet Two. Prince, the late genius, produced her critically acclaimed 2015 debut full-length solo album Back in Time, on which he also performs. This was followed in 2017 with a self-produced sophomore LP, Golden Child.
Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers – Both on stage and in private life, these two internationally acclaimed artists share incredible chemistry. Their brief first introduction in the crowded lobby of the historic Orpheum Theatre during the 2018 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, left a lasting impression on both of them. A year later, at a recording session during 2019 IBC that their professional acquaintance blossomed into a love affair, culminating in marriage in August of 2019! Since that time, renowned Canadian Blues-Rocker Paul DesLauriers and acclaimed American Soul-Blues singer Annika Chambers (2022 Blues Music Award – ”Best Female Soul-Blues”) have unified their artistic destiny, much to the joy of everyone who’s had the pleasure of hearing and seeing them together
Bobby Thompson – The awe-inspiring master guitarist and vocalist is no stranger to the blues and rock world. Thompson cut his teeth learning to play in the old blues clubs of D.C. from the likes of Bobby Parker. After honing his craft as a much sought-after support man, Thompson decided to step out as a solo artist, releasing seven albums since 2011.
Gayle Harrod Band – Baltimore-born Gayle Harris has been showcasing her gritty sound at venues ranging from the DC Blues Festival, Silver Spring Blues Festival and Bethesda Blues and Jazz.
Spice Cake Blues – Semi-finalists in the 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, local blues duo Ya Ya Patterson and Miles Spicer bring their special acoustic flavor to open this year’s Festival.
The 26th Annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival represents a decades-long collaboration between the Columbia Pike Partnership and Arlington Cultural Affairs, a Division of Arlington Economic Development, that delivers public activities and programs as Arlington Arts. Wolf Trap Foundation For The Performing Arts is the newest sponsor of the Columbia Pike Blues Festival. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.columbia-pike.org/partner.
