B.B. King to Play London's New BluesFest

British blues fans woke up this morning to the news that London is to host a brand new festival dedicated to the form. Running from June 27 through to July, the new BluesFest will take place across a variety of the English capital's venues including the Royal Albert Hall, the 100 Club, the Jazz Cafe, the Union Chapel and Bush Hall amongst others.

Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first National Jazz and Blues Festival, BluesFest set to feature an impressive cast of artists including blues titan B.B. King. Other acts billed to appear are Dr. John, Booker T, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Chris Barber, Buddy Greco, James Hunter and Max Weinburg.

The original National Jazz and Blues Festival was the brainchild of Marquee promoter Harold Pendleton. By the mid-1960s the festival had largely decreased its jazz output and saw appearances by the likes of Jeff Beck and Fleetwood Mac. Though constantly changing venues, the festival finally settled in Reading in 1971 before it finally became the Reading Rock festival in 1976 -- the forerunner of the current Reading and Leeds festival.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson told the festival's website, "It is thrilling to be able to welcome a new music festival to London. The Blues may have originated in the US, but they have provided the beating heart of British pop music, from Georgie Fame and the Rolling Stones to Adele."

Ticket details can be found at the BluesFest website.