North Central Florida Blues Challenge

The North Central Florida Blues Society is an affiliate of the Blues Foundation, which holds the International Blues Challenge every year in Memphis. As an affiliate, the North Central Florida Blues Society holds a regional competition, which allows for a winning band, solo/duo, and self-produced CD to compete as a representative of the North Central Florida region in the IBC in Downtown Memphis, Tennessee in the Beale Street Historic District. This year we hold the Blues Challenge at Heartwood Soundstage!

This year’s participants make for one of the strongest and most competitive lineups we

have ever had:

Bear & Robert (row-bear) are Cindy Bear and Franc Robert, an award-winning singer-songwriter duo. Together their acoustic sound has been described as a deep well of Folk, Blues, and Americana with a high-energy Je Nais Se Quois! Their

catchy melodies, toe tapping rhythms, and soulful lyrics will touch your heart in many different ways, and will always leave you wanting more.

Bill Ricci is a singer/songwriter performing on acoustic guitar & vocals. In 2024, Ricci was nominated for an International Singer Songwriters Association award for Album of the Year for RIB SHACK BLUES, his latest. Significant venues Ricci has performed at include The Historic Tap Room on Beale Street in Memphis, TN and Ground Zero in

Clarksdale, MS.

Jasper Smitty is a North Florida native returning home after spending the last thirteen years in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jesse started to perform professionally at the age of 14, and studied Jazz Saxophone at the College of Music at Florida State University, which led to a healthy career of touring and performance as a session artist, sideman,

and front man.

The NCFBS has been represented in Memphis since 2008. Four different NCFBS acts have advanced to the Semifinals, and both 21 Blue and the Sauce Boss made the Finals for Best Self-Produced CD. Which act will be next? Who will take the prize and represent North Central Florida? Support your favorite Blues artist or discover your new favorite!