Blues Fans Will Have Their Day

Under an anticipated warming sun and the sprawling oaks of Ojai’s Libbey Park, blues fans from all over Southern California will congregate Saturday at the Ojai Bowl for another installment of the popular Bowlful of Blues.

This year’s ninth annual blues festival--one of the summer’s most anticipated musical events--features a wide array of blues musicians. The following is the schedule of performances from 2 to 10 p.m.

* Clarence (Gatemouth) Brown offers an eclectic blend of guitar, violin, piano and more. (Brown will also play an encore performance 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Wheeler Hot Springs above Ojai)

* Pianist Charles Brown plays his brand of soulful rhythm and blues.

* Clarence Fountain & The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, who were at last year’s Bowlful of Blues, will perform gospel.

* Nathan Williams & The Zydeco Cha-Chas is sure to be this year’s dance-a-long favorite

* The William Clarke Band elevates harmonica music to a new level.

* Randy Rich and the Ravens provide Ventura County’s own hard-driving blues beat.

Event producer Michael Kaufer said he has striven to present a mix of veteran players as well as some of the newer acts on the blues scene.

“Guys like Clarence (Gatemouth) Brown and Charles Brown, these original artists are the roots,” Kaufer said. “With the younger generation, blues has gone in different directions, and we want to showcase a variety of these differing styles.”

Festival-goers are encouraged to bring picnic lunches and either put out a blanket under the shade of an oak tree or enjoy the show from the bench seating. Coolers will be permitted. “We’ll have a variety of foods and non-alcoholic beverages available,” Kaufer said. Artist tapes and event T-shirts and caps will also be sold.

Admission to Libbey Park--at Signal Street and Ojai Avenue--for the event will be $20 and children under 6 will be allowed free entrance. Tickets are available at a number of sites in Ventura County, including Ticketmaster. Advance purchase is recommended. A limited number of tickets will be available at the gate. For more information, call 646-7230.