Waterfront Blues Festival 2003

The 16th annual Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival celebrated the Year of the Blues. The festival broke all records. Even though the day was a day shorter than the previous year, blues fans donated $363,000 net and 120,000 pounds of food to Oregon Food Bank. The festival began offering blues cruises on the Willamette River, giving fans a chance to see their favorite acts in a more intimate setting on the Portland Spirit.

Performers included Etta James, Susan Tedeschi, Taj Mahal, Steve Miller with Roy Rogers and Norton Buffalo, Jody Williams, North Mississippi All-stars, Ruthie Foster, Pinetop Perkins, Phil Upchurch, Bryan Lee, Henry Butler, Lil' Malcolm and the Zydeco Houserockers, Papa Grows Funk and more.