Curtis Salgado will join the Porretta Soul Festival on July 22nd and 23rd 2023 The original Blues Brother. It was the inspiration for John Belushi. The soul-crushing voice and powerful harmonica play of award-winning soul, blues and R&B singer Curtis Salgado has devastated audiences around the world for over 30 years.

Born in Everett, Washington, Curtis Salgado was raised in Eugene, Oregon. In his early 20s, he was already making a name for himself in the Eugene bar scene with his band The Nighthawks, and later as co-leader of the Robert Cray Band. Salgado quickly developed into a musician and singer of considerable depth, with vocal and musical influences including Otis Redding, O.V. Wright, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson I and II, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Howlin’ Wolf and Magic Sam. NPR calls him “a blues icon” with a “huge voice”.

In 1977, Salgado met actor John Belushi while the comedian was filming Animal House. Salgado and Belushi spent hours playing old records, with Belushi soaking up the music like a sponge. He used his newfound blues knowledge to create The Blues Brothers.

Once Salgado joined forces with The Robert Cray Band, he shared stages with many of his heroes, including Muddy Waters, Bobby Bland, Albert Collins and Bonnie Raitt. He was the frontman of Roomful Of Blues, singing and touring with them from 1984 to 1986. Forming his own band, he released the first of his ten solo albums in 1991. The first album of the Blues Brothers “Brifcase Full Of Blues” is dedicated to Curtis Salgado.

He arrived in Porretta for the first time in 2019 and then returned in 2021 and 2022 and by popular demand again this year.