BERLIN — Although this year marks the 5th time the Chamber of Commerce and WESM 91.3 FM will sponsor the Berlin Jazz and Blues Bash this will be the second year the Town has truly embraced the spirit of the festival.

Until last year, the festival was more geared to early afternoon attendees, often ending just after lunch. Last year, the Chamber tried something different, booking the event well into the late afternoon and turning the Jazz and Blues Bash into an event people could plan their day around or elect to just participate partially.

As it turned out. a significant number of people used the event as an excuse to plan an entire day in Berlin, coming for lunch, spending the afternoon in the sun listening to act after act, and staying on afterwards for dinner, drinks or just to hang around.

The festival is set in such a way that attendees can catch every act from a distance by taking their place at one of the picnic tables set along Main Street between the two stages or moving back and forth between acts for the best seats in the house at every performance.

The Chamber also secured permission from the Mayor and Council to have a beer and wine concession. This year, Burly Oak Brewery, which had a successful debut at Octoberfest, will provide two of its most popular beer choices.

As with past events, the festival area will be closed to outside food and beverages but inside there will be plenty to eat and drink.

In addition to the various food vendors, Berlin restaurants and eateries will be prepared for the crowds that have grown steadily in number over recent years.

This year the featured music will include the vibraphone centered music of the Joe Baione Quartet, Mike Flaherty’s Dixieland Direct Jazz Band, Eastern Shore native Chris English and local blues legend Tom Larsen. 

Larsen will be followed by Project Natale just an hour before the headliner — the Daryl Davis Band with special guest Margot Resto takes the stage at 6 p.m.

The Daryl Davis Band has played with Elvis Presley’s Jordanaires, Chuck Berry, The Legendary Blues Band, Hubert Sumlin, and Percy Sledge. The group’s CDs have received rave reviews from leading Blues magazines, and won several WAMA (Washington Area Music Association) Awards for Best Artist in the Roots and Blues categories. 

The Jazz & Blues Bash is a free admission event. Limited seating will be provided at each music stage; lawn chairs are recommended. Detailed event schedule and band information is available on the Berlin Chamber website at www.BerlinChamber.org. 

For more information please call (410) 641-4775. Follow Berlin Jazz & Blues Bash on Facebook.