B.B. King Opens Blues and Supper Club in Orlando, Florida

The first week in December, 2007, B.B. King's Blues Club made its official grand opening in Orlando, Florida. To celebrate the occasion, the King along with his incredible band appeared at the club for four out of five week nights. Considering the fact that B.B. turned 82 in September, the two hour show presented a musical experience beyond any expectations. After the band warmed up the crowd, B.B. entered the club in his wheelchair and then walked on to the stage where he was seated throughout the performance. Between some of his classic hits, he spoke about his childhood, the evolution of blues in America and the changes brought on by the civil rights movement which have allowed him to play in venues where he was not welcome in his youth. He made it a point to mention that he has no intention of retiring, regardless of his multiple health problems. Apparently, his tour bus is his home and he promised to return to perform at the club again.

In the middle of the show, the band stepped down and he did an acoustic set with his guitar player, going low-key compared to the sound of his raw, bellowing voice against the finesse of his big band. This was a welcome element of the show that engaged the audience in an intimate way.

Most members of the band have been with B.B. for many years. One of the newest members is the keyboard player, Ernest Vantrease, who has been with the band about two years. Vantrease spent 30 years playing with Ray Charles and is a great musician in his own right.

Doors opened at 5:00 PM for ticket holders for whom dinner was included. Although King's band didn't take the stage until 9:00 o'clock, the house band entertained diners and guests for hours before the headliners arrived. Auditions for the house band were held for Central Florida musicians months before the opening of the club and the efforts paid off. It is obvious that club owners chose the best of the best to ensure that the reputation of the club was held to the highest standard. The menu was limited for the grand opening, but since has grown to include sandwiches and southern favorites, including the house specialty, fried pickles. Anyone looking for souvenirs can take the opportunity to shop in the store at the entrance to the club. From a wide variety of shirts to refrigerator magnets, there is something for everyone.

Located near the convention center on International Drive, the food and music are a great draw for people visiting the area on business trips, as well as those in town staying at Disney World. The real benefit is to blues fans in Orlando who now have a place to hear national acts on a regular basis and will soon be invited to sit in with the house band. Members of Central Florida's Orlando Blossom Blues Society can finally consider Orlando a city with the blues! Hopefully, this will be a successful addition to the music scene in this great city and its suburbs where the number of local blues bands has grown over the past few years.

Long live the blues!