2023 Telluride Blues Challenge Finalists Announced
Over the past few years, the Telluride Blues Challenge has risen to become one of the most distinguished music competitions in the Southwest! Musicians from all over the country submit their best songs for the chance to make the top six and earn an invite to the Blues Challenge Finals held at the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival. Presented by Telluride Music and Telluride Blues Society, the Telluride Blues Challenge gives up-and-coming artists the chance to advance their careers, win a 20 minute set on the festival Main Stage, a spot on the 2024 Durango Blues Train, a premium Martin guitar and a cash prize.
Every year, the Challenge entries impress, with an abundance of high-quality, stunning submissions. This year, 39 entries poured in from around the nation and selecting the finalists was not an easy task. The specialists at Telluride Music narrowed the list down to the top six. The following six finalists will compete at the Telluride Elks Lodge during the Blues for Breakfast event on Saturday, September 16 from 9:00 am to Noon.
2023 Telluride Blues Challenge Finalists
Marcia Ewell (aka Marcia Blues) - As a former Telluride Marshal and long-time river shuttle driver in the Moab area, Marcia Blues brings her own authentic interpretation of the blues. She writes originals based on her own life experiences in the West, and she backs it up with Piedmont-inspired resonator fingerpicking.
Fatih Kesimal - Channeling JJ Cale with his soft, almost-whispered vocal delivery, Fatih Kesimal fits the blues style, but with a twist that is all his own. Strong electric riffing completes Fatih's LoFi, retro sound, but his lyrics are relatable to 21st Century audiences.
Columbia Jones - With inventive songwriting that pays homage to tradition while also adding its own spin, Columbia Jones delivers a well-rounded, polished take on the blues. A strong singer who can also get down on the slide guitar, Columbia plays blues you can feel in your bones.
Kris Lager - Kris Lager's lyrics are true to the blues experience, and he delivers them with a wide vocal range. But he doesn't stop there—he is also a ripper on the guitar! Kris plays blues that makes you want to get on your feet and clap your hands!
Jackson Magyar - Durango local Jackson Magyar has an Americana-inspired style that channels the blues perfectly. With depth that stretches beyond the typical 12-bar, Jackson can add just the right amount of gravel to his vocals, and he has tasteful licks on the slide to back it up.
Marcus Trummer - Marcus has a powerful voice that will fill the room at the Blues Challenge. With songwriting that captures the essential blues feeling, Marcus is a stand-out singer with versatile guitar chops that complement his soulful voice perfectly.
Judges
New for this year, we’re excited to welcome an all-star panel of judges made up of Telluride Blues Challenge alums to select this year’s winner. Past champions Alex Paul (2018) and Joe Waters (2022), along with Blues Challenge runner-up and Colorado blues mainstay, AJ Fullerton are set to take to the judges table along side the local music experts from Telluride Music Company.
AJ Fullerton - As a teenager, AJ Fullerton finished as the runner-up in the Blues Challenge. In the years since, this Colorado native has won more Colorado Blues Society awards and honors than any other artist. Now signed to VizzTone records, AJ's talents have pushed him beyond performing and into producing records and helping other artists find their sound.
Alex Paul - With the new Birds of Play album dropping this August, Alex Paul has been busy since winning the 2018 Blues Challenge. Alex is a literary songwriter who puts meaning and feeling into every aspect of his craft.
Joe Waters - Since winning the 2022 Blues Challenge, Joe Waters is pushing his career as a blues musician to the next level. Fresh off of collaborations in the studio and on tour with fellow Blues Challenge Finalists, we're excited to see Joe Waters back in Telluride one year later.
Telluride Music Company - With a showroom at 8,750 feet elevation, Telluride Music Co. may very well be the highest guitar shop in the world. Only two blocks from Lift #8 of the Telluride Ski Resort, we’re probably the only guitar shop in North America with a ski rack in the back. A short walk down the street from the Sheridan Opera House and the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, we’re a shop accustomed to serving high-level talent, but at the same time, we take pride in putting the first instrument into a beginner’s hands.
How to Watch
The Telluride Blues Challenge Finals will be held on Saturday, September 16 from 9 am - Noon, at the Telluride Elks Lodge (472 W Pacific Ave). The contest happens as part of Blues for Breakfast, a special event complete with a breakfast spread and full bar including breakfast cocktails during the event. Breakfast menu will feature classics like pancakes, scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausages, biscuits and gravy. Coffee, orange juice and breakfast bar drinks will also be available.
Admission is free! Breakfast for adults will be $15 and Kids 10 & under are $5, Bloody Mary’s, Mimosas, and other breakfast bar drinks are extra.
This event is a great way to see up-and-comers in the blues genre while starting your Saturday morning off before the music starts in the festival grounds. Watch as competitors perform 20 minute sets that will be judged on the quality of their overall live performance, instrument use, vocals, and presentation.
Don’t miss what is sure to be an epic 2023 Telluride Blues Challenge!
Prizes
Winner
A premium Martin guitar provided by Telluride Music Company
20 minute performance on the Main Stage at the 2023 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
60 minute performance on the Blues Stage at the 2024 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
3 nights to perform on the 2024 Durango Blues Train
$300 cash prize
Runner Up
$200 cash prize
A performance at Blues for Breakfast on Sunday, September 17, 2023