Entertainment

Koko Taylor, a sharecropper''s daughter whose regal bearing and powerful voice earned her the sobriquet "Queen of the Blues," has died after complications from surgery. She was 80.

Marc Lipkin, director of publicity for her record label, Alligator Records, said Taylor died Wednesday in Chicago about two weeks after having surgery for a gastrointestinal bleed.

Taylor''s career stretched more than five decades. While she did not have widespread mainstream success, she was revered and beloved by blues aficionados, and earned worldwide acclaim for the best-selling song "Wang Dang Doodle" and tunes such as "What Kind of Man is This" and "I Got What It Takes."

Blues legend Buddy Guy described Taylor as "one of the last of the greats of Chicago" and a loss to the blues music world. She was nominated seven times for Grammy awards and won in 1984.

The 21st edition of Getxo &' || 'amp; Blues still promises to offer a broad programme. Veterans, youngsters, internationals and locals will offer varied performances.

The festival with open on Friday led by Ibon and Asier Elorza''s band Belceblues, followed by guitarist Lonnie Brooks.

Saturday will be the turn of the quartet from Bizkaia (Biscay), Mike Hammer &' || 'amp; The Taxi Drivers, who started in 2004.

Harmonica player Johnny Marrs will bring the festival to an end. The repertoire of this US musician combines his own creations with popular blues songs.

The concerts at Plaza Santa Eugenia Square in Romo are scheduled to start at 9:30pm with the exception of the last one, which will start one hour earlier. The event is free of charge.