Very close to the start of the 32nd edition of the longest running Blues festival in Switzerland.
Four days of free concerts and events dedicated to the genre, with 10 international guests who will alternate on the stages of the city squares, engaging in performances of all registers of the genre.

"After the bonsai editions of past years," proudly explains Roberto Badaracco, Head of the Culture, Sports, and Events Department of the Municipality of Lugano, "we are delighted to be able to return to the original Blues to Bop format , which this year will also host a special edition of Estival Jazz. This event is eagerly awaited by residents and tourists alike, a cult event in Lugano's summer. The positive energy emanating from blues music will bring together people of all ages and tastes in our squares." Claudio Chiapparino, Director of the Events and Conferences Division: "Finally, after two years of the pandemic, we're able to bring back to our beautiful city squares the energy and rhythm of this traditional event, which for 32 years has been one of the most anticipated musical events for local audiences and visitors to the region. Like any vibrant event, Blues to Bop demonstrates its ability to continue evolving and surprising. Great performers and emerging talents will alternate on the stages of the squares with their notes and captivating rhythms."

An edition that will give space to a comparison between the blues legends such as Bobby Rush, Toni Green, Vasti Jackson and the new generations of talents such as King Solomon Hicks, Nikki Hill and Nikki D who, despite their very young age, show off a deep repertoire, intense, which explores all the emotion of American roots music, taking care of and continuing the centenary tradition of blues.

Two artists close to Ticino complete the program: Lilly Martin and Marco Marchi & The Mojo Workers.

The tribute to Estival Jazz

On Saturday, August 27th, Blues to Bop will host a special edition of Estival Jazz , paying homage to the historic and prestigious event with three highly anticipated concerts set to light up Piazza della Riforma. Performing on stage will be the Banda dos Curumins, from São Paulo, Brazil; the renowned Gipsy Kings, led by founder André Reyes; and, finally, Premiata Forneria Marconi.

The places of Blues to Bop 2022

In an informal and festive atmosphere in full style Blues to bop, the artists will perform in rotation on the stages set up in the city squares. The amphitheater of Piazza Cioccaro, which embraces the public in an intimate atmosphere in the heart of the historic center; Piazza San Rocco, another historical location of Blues to Bop, perfectly marries the proximity between the public and the artists inherent in the blues. Piazza della Riforma represents the great collective party par excellence. Do not miss the classic evening in Morcote, in the splendid setting of Piazza Granda.
For the concerts on Saturday in Morcote there is a shuttle departing from Lugano in the Belvedere area (Riva Antonio Caccia, lake side).
Departures from Lugano at 18:00, 19:45, 21:30; return from Morcote at 23:30 pm, 00:35 am, 01:40 am.
The shuttle has limited seats (22 seats), and there are no reservations.

Blues to Bop School

Blues to Bop also means deepening and reflection on the characteristics of blues music and on the messages it has always conveyed. Some of the guest artists of the 32nd edition will be protagonists on Friday and Saturday of five meetings and lessons of music and history of the blues aimed at everyone. All the meetings take place at the Darsena del Parco Ciani and are translated into Italian. Admission is free.

  • Friday 26.08 / from 10.30 to 11.30 My Feeling of the Blues With King Solomon Hicks King Solomon Hicks, a young musician, talks about the contrary choice to take the path of the blues in the era of rap and hip hop.
  • Friday 26.08 / from 14.00 to 15.00 Blues to Rock, A State Of Mind With Nikki Hill Nikki Hill tells the public about the evolution of blues and the contamination with rock.
  • Friday 26.08 / from 16.00 to 17.00 Memphis Soul = Is everywhere in the World With Toni Green Toni Green talks about her life in the capital of soul, Memphis. She is a very active artist in the political field, she has always been a campaigner for the rights of African Americans and women, she is also a preacher of a local Baptist church.
  • Saturday 27.08 / from 10.30 to 11.30 Sunday School with Gospel With Nikki D & The Sisters Of Thunder Discovering the Sunday Schools with Nikki "D" & The Sisters of Thunder: precious training places for African American people during the years of slavery, in to whom music was taught along with writing and reading, laying the foundations of gospel music.
  • Saturday 27.08 / from 14.00pm to 15.00pm The History of the Blues and the Blues Guitar With Vasti Jackson The most legendary legend, Vasti Jackson, tells how his life was intertwined with the history of the blues.