After years of dreaming about more blues in Wijk bij Duurstede, the Wijk blues lovers Anton Winkel, Frans Hoving and Arie Verheul (they call themselves BLUESinWIJK) had their first encounter with the Jazz by Duurstede foundation in 2009. There they discussed their idea to expand the annual Jazz by Duurstede with a regular blues programme. No new festival, but “hitching a ride” on the excellent infrastructure of Jazz by Duurstede with a separate blues stage and an appealing blues programme. That first acquaintance was very positive and very soon afterwards they were able to move on. A period of much deliberation followed, gathering money, programming and contracting of blues bands, building a website, getting the media interested and so on. Busy times, a lot of stress, but also very inspiring and very enjoyable.
24 April 2009 was the day………..the presentation of their dream to the local media. In café Ome Ko, Ditiswijk, Wijkse Courant and Wijks Nieuws are present and over 20 interested people. Guest of honour is of course Aline van Dam of the Jazz bij Duurstede foundation, who gives the idea all the support and makes it possible to plan a blues stage on June 6 at the 17th edition of JAZZbyDUURSTEDE. The Vintage Brothers play to their heart’s content and also open their website that evening. The newspapers pick up the story very well and publish nice stories and pictures. The first friends and sponsors came forward. It was the beginning of a very successful Wijk Bluesclub.
