A mix of blues veterans, fresh musical faces and foreign pilgrims will convene in Downtown Memphis this week as the International Blues Challenge kicks off its 26th annual competition.

The event -- presented by the Memphis-based Blues Foundation, which also stages the Blues Music Awards each May -- runs from Wednesday to Saturday at various venues along Beale Street.

Photo by Mark WeberMark Weber/The Commercial Appeal

Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal

The Mikel Lander and Meredith Moore Band musician Shea Marshall (left) waits back stage at the Orpheum to perform during last year's International Blues Challenge.

Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal

The Aces lead singer and harp player Sky O'Banion performs during the 25th International Blues Challenge at the Orpheum theater Saturday afternoon.

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For Jay Sieleman, president of the Blues Foundation, growth has been the overall trend for the Blues Challenge, which launched modestly in 1984, as the National Amateur Blues Talent Contest.

In 2010, the contest will again break records with 224 acts, from 39 states and 13 countries, performing at 19 venues for crowds that are expected to number close to 10,000 for the duration of the event (compared with last year's 184 acts, from 36 states, nine countries, 16 venues and 8,000 attendees). The week also includes seminars for music

professionals and a "Keeping the Blues Alive" awards ceremony.

"One of the biggest challenges we've had to deal with has been the growth," says Sieleman. "It's a good problem to have, but it keeps you from just being able to plan the same way twice. Because each year there are more acts, more facets to the event, more venues, more judges, more volunteers, more hotel rooms, and all of that to deal with."

For Sieleman, the evolution of the Blues Challenge is measured by more than just numbers, but also by the quality of the performers. "Absolutely, the quality and the variety has increased considerably over the years," he says. "We've often told the judges that their hours are much longer now, but the quality is better. And they all agree. Judging the competition gets harder and harder each year."

The two areas the contest has made the biggest strides during the past five years have been in the influx of international and youth acts.

The festivities will kick off with a Wednesday night showcase of international artists at the New Daisy sponsored by FedEx. "We're going to have 17 different acts, from 12 different countries competing," says Sieleman of the bill which includes performers from France, Croatia, Poland, India, Italy and Denmark, among others.

Much of the international interest is coming from Canada and the Canadian blues societies who are sending acts to compete. Last year Ottawa band Monkey Junk placed third overall in the competition. This year the group was nominated for a Blues Music Award for their debut album. "So we're really seeing the development; the path from the IBC into the blues world and to the Blues Music Awards," says Sieleman.

For a generation of aspiring musicians, the Blues Challenge has become a launching pad as well. In 2009, the contest held its first youth showcase with 24 acts, featuring performers all under the age of 21. This year, 32 youth acts will be part of showcases at Beale Street venues on Friday.

The decision to expand and focus on the younger generation of blues acts wasn't part of a studied strategy. "We didn't think, like a big corporation might, 'How do we grow this event and bring in new blood?' We just saw that there were a lot of youth acts out there playing, and we thought, let's give them a chance to showcase."

Sieleman adds that the fraternal environment of the event has proven to be one of the real benefits for this cadre of younger performers. "For a lot of these kids, where they come from, they're a little bit by themselves, as far as being into the blues," says Sieleman.

Michaela Rae, a 14-year-old blues guitarist from Denver who'll be making her second trip to the Blues Challenge, says the event presents a unique opportunity. "There's not that many kids that play the blues out here in Colorado," says Rae, "so it is unusual, but great, to be around so many other younger blues players."

Nathan Aronowitz, a 14-year-old blues musician from Rogers, Ark., says the 2009 contest was an eye-opener. "At the time, I'd only had a couple gigs and I was just getting started," says Aronowitz, who will return to perform next week. "So it was an awesome experience to be in Memphis and on stage."

In the end, as Sieleman points out, the motivations for the 200-plus performers arriving in the Bluff City this week -- be it youth acts, international artists, or the mass of U.S.-based participants -- is wide and varied.

"For some of them, it is about winning. For others it's about the honor of getting to play on Beale Street. But, ultimately, what happens when they get here and they're surrounded by other blues musicians and blues fans, they realize they're part of something that's bigger," says Sieleman. "They get into the family and community and camaraderie of the blues. And that's something that everyone gains from."

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The 26th International Blues Challenge

Tickets will be available at the door for all events. Prices are $10 for Wednesday's New Daisy showcase; $10 for Thursday showcases; wristbands for all Friday shows are $15. Saturday prices are $27 for the afternoon finals show and $32 for the evening finals, both at the Orpheum theater. For more information, go to blues.org or call 527-2583.

International Blues Challenge highlights

Wednesday

7:30 p.m.: FedEx International Showcase Kick-Off Concert at the New Daisy Theater.

Thursday

4 to 6 p.m.: Semifinals begin at various Beale Street Clubs.

Friday

1 to 4 p.m.: Smokin' Bluz Youth Showcases; various clubs on Beale Street.

4 to 6 p.m.: Semifinals begin at Beale Street clubs

When the scores have been tabulated Jan. 22, the finalists will be announced at Beale Street clubs.

Saturday

2 to 5 p.m.: Solo/Duo Finals at the Orpheum theater.

7:30 p.m.: Band Finals at the Orpheum.

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