I’m very happy to introduce the newest Blues Society I’m aware of The Croatian Blues Forces (CBF). Here is the introduction as they sent it to me:
The Croatian Blues Forces (CBF), affiliation of Blues Foundation, held their first meeting on 22.9.2008 in Zagreb, Croatia to elect presidency and to do some concrete steps in preserving and promoting blues music. Croatian Blues Forces was legally founded in June 2008. Newly elected president Mr. Tomislav Goluban has informed all that came to the meeting about his participation in “1. European blues conference” in Parma (Italy) where he made first personal contacts with other Blues Foundation members. Blues Foundation was particularly pleased with new CBF logo which incorporates recognizable Blues Foundation sign. In this short time CBF has lAunched web site (www.croblues.hr) and managed to secure Blues evenings/concerts (BlueSax) for Croatian blues bands which will be held in famous Sax Club in Zagreb every last Monday in month. We also make video and audio records and we are planning to make a DVD compilation in order to present our members. The photos that we make will also be used for 2010 CBF calendar.
I must make a point at one of the legend of blues – Jerry Ricks, who lived last years in Croatia and which we helped him to get hospitalized and get the treatments. Our subsidiary from Rijeka helped him in all possible ways, including the last one, the decent funeral in Kastav. At the local cemetery, with numerous Kastav people and blues lovers attending, he was payed the final respects on 18th December 2007. His ashes in an urn were placed at the spot generously given by a local family. Honoring this great blues artist, there’s a modest memorial stone board for all the accident visitors to the cemetary saying: «Clarence Gerald Ricks 1954-2007». Now with agency „Dobri Duh rock’n rolla“ who brings rock and blues artist in Croatia working toghether at promotion and the first concerts that we made was Eric Sardinas supported by members of CBF. For october we are planing to do a first Croatian Blues Challenge where we gona have the winners of group and solo/duo category which will go to Memphis IBC at 2010.
WOW – now there is a blues club doing it right! Philadelphia Jerry Ricks is not a name I was familiar with. It seems his time was cut short and my what a shame. This video is also cut short and thats also a shame but its so apropos I just have to post it.
The Croatian Blues Forces now has more than 50 bands as members. Check these CFB members doing it right in Croatia. I’ll post as many as I can find here – I’m telling you it warms my heart to think what these people have been through and to see the music coming through it all. Thanks Croatian Blues Forces (CBF) for being a friend of Worldofblues.com and for your incredible support of the blues.
If you want more information on Blues in Croatia or information about these great bands be sure to check out Croatian Blues Forces (CBF)
If you want any more information about blues in Croatia or any of these incredible bands head on over the Croatian Blues Forces (CBF) website and tell them that WorldofBlues.com sent you.