NORWICH – For all intents and purposes, the 14th Annual Chenango County Blues Festival will begin next week when their free and open summer concert series leads-off in downtown’s West Park with Ithaca’s own J-san and The Analogue Sons.

The official two-day festival, featuring numerous renowned blues musicians, doesn’t takes place until August. But continuing with their mission to “foster an appreciation of uniquely American music forms,” the Chenango Blues Association just couldn’t wait that long.

For three consecutive Thursdays beginning July 20, outstanding musicians as diverse as America itself will be chasing the night air with sounds from the cultures and intricate life histories that have inspired their varying styles.

The socially infused music of J-san & the Analogue Sons has been described as “a genre bending blend of soul, reggae, rock and afrobeat, with an innovative modern sound with a decidedly urban flavor.” Following J-san on July 27 will be past favorite Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience, who was voted by Billboard Magazine as one of the Top Ten Live Performers of the Year. Wrapping up the summer series will be Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra, a thirteen-piece ensemble formed 26 years ago in Amsterdam (NY). Torres and the orchestra have received numerous awards and critical acclaim for their performances that expound into Salsa, Merengue, Cha-Cha, Bomba, Plena and Latin Jazz.