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Chris Cain Band
June 17, 2023 @ 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm at Plaza de Cesar Chavez
About the Event
“That boy can PLAY the guitar!” – BB KING Legendary Blues Guitarist
Chris Cain was born in San Jose, California in 1955. His parents were huge music fans and shared their love of blues, jazz, and popular music with Chris. His African American father and Greek mother both loved music and had a huge record collection. His father first took Chris to see B.B. King when Chris was three, and, says Cain, “we never missed another show.” Thanks to his parents’ musical passion, young Chris saw almost every blues, jazz and rock artist that came through town, many of them repeatedly: James Brown, Albert King, Johnny Winter, Jimi Hendrix, even The Beatles. He picked up his first guitar at age eight and learned lick after lick, song after song. He’d listen to his father’s records over and over until the music had seeped into his soul.
“Chris Cain is for real. He’s a great blues player with an intensity that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what he’s going to do next. Plus he knows how to write a song you haven’t heard before, full of humor and insight. I am a stone fan.” – ROBBEN FORD Iconic Blues Guitarist
Cain’s rough-and-tumble East San Jose neighborhood was a melting pot of soul, rock, blues, jazz and Latin sounds, and he absorbed it all as his guitar playing improved. By the time he was in his teens, he was starting to get noticed. In 1976, local San Jose singer and harmonica player Gary Smith gave Cain his first.
“Hands down my favorite blues player on the scene today. He’s an absolute blinder of a guitarist, with the voice of B.B. King and the chops of Albert King.” – JOE BONAMASSA 3 Time Grammy Nominee Blues/Rock Guitarist
Among the greatest compliments a musician can receive is praise from his fellow artists. With more than three decades of touring and fourteen previous albums, master blues guitarist and vocalist Chris Cain has earned his reputation as a musician’s musician. Since his first release in 
1987, Cain has created his very own blues sound inspired by his heroes–B.B. King, Albert King, Ray Charles, Albert Collins, Grant Green, and Wes Montgomery. His jazz-informed blues guitar playing is fiery, emotional, and always unpredictable. His vocals–gruff, lived-in, and powerful–add fuel to the fire.Chris Cain has received two BMA nominations for 2023 including Best Contemporary Blues Artist and Guitarist of the Year. In 2022, Chris Cain was honored with four BMA nominations including Best Male Blues Artist and Best Blues Album of the Year for his recent Alligator Records release, Raisin’ Cain. Living Blues Radio awarded Raisin’ Cain as the second most played contemporary blues album of 2021 in America. The album hit #1 on the blues charts in America and Australia, #2 in the UK and #3 in France, remaining in the top 10 for most of the year. The song from the album, I Believe I Got Off Cheap, won the International Songwriters Competition for Blues.
Truly a world-class blues artist, Chris Cain has toured all over the world, sharing his indelible style in over 20 countries throughout Europe, South America, New Zealand, and Australia.
Click here for more info about the 40th San Jose Fountain Blues & Brews Festival.
Details
Date:
June 17, 2023
Time:
4:15 pm - 5:45 pm
Purchase Tickets
About the Venue
Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Plaza de Cesar Chavez is situated on over two acres in Downtown San Jose. It is a popular place to hang out as it is located near museums such as The Tech Interactive and the illustrious San Jose Museum of Art. The park regularly attracts visitors with its musical performances and festivals. A stroll through the park is complemented by beautiful water fountains, flower beds, and even an open-air theater. If you are planning to visit the nearby museums, be sure to set aside time to explore this lovely park area. You might even catch a popular food festival or unique performance.
Quick Link: Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Fountain Blues Foundation
The Fountain Blues Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is organized to preserve and promote the indigenous American music known as the blues, and related genres like rock 'n' roll and R&B. Activities take a variety of forms, including live performances, broadcasts, lectures, and community education, culminating in the longest-running blues festival in Northern California: the San Jose Fountain Blues & Brews Festival and live music events throughout the year.
New This Year: Follow the Music
We are thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration between Fountain Blues Foundation and Follow the Music, a pioneering music education and emerging artists program. Follow the Music, spearheaded by a passionate group who recognize the profound impact of music, boasts honorary guests such as 49er legend and NFL Hall-of-Famer Ronnie Lott, alongside Oakland music icon and Elevate Oakland co-founder Sheila E.
This innovative program, developed in partnership with Elevate Oakland and key stakeholders in arts, entertainment, media, and sports, serves as the gateway into the vibrant South Bay community. By joining forces with Follow the Music, Fountain Blues Foundation aims to enrich the lives of young people by bringing the transformative power of music directly into their lives. Together, we envision a future where music becomes a catalyst for inspiration, creativity, and community engagement, and we invite you to be a part of this impactful journey.