Running throughout the weekend, the event will see over 170 musicians and artists taking to venues across the city.

This year’s festival will feature performances and collaborations from a variety of US, Irish, British and European blues, soul and jazz musicians.

Among the star draws are Steve Cropper, from Booker T & The MGs and the Blues Brothers, who will headline at Mandela Hall tonight.

The co-writer of (Sittin’ on) the Dock of a Bay with Otis Reading and Wilson Picket’s In The Midnight Hour, Cropper is one of the men who shaped the course of modern music.

Also appearing tonight are British blues rock greats The Animals, best known for their songs The House of the Rising Sun and We Gotta Get Out Of This Place.

Milo Z and his eight-piece R&B Soul extravaganza will also fly in from New York for a concert which brings the popular funk star to Ulster.

There will be the now-traditional tribute to Rory Gallagher tomorrow, which will feature Nine Below Zero, a band which includes Gerry McAvoy and Brendan O’Neil, who were once part of Gallagher’s rhythm section.

Ten Years After, who appeared at the Woodstock festival in 1969, return to Belfast after their first and only show in the city 39 years ago.

There is also a strong Northern Ireland contingent at the festival, Henry McCullough, from Paul McCartney’s Wings, will also perform along with a range of homegrown performers.

Festival organiser, James Walsh, said: “This festival is designed to showcase not only international talent, but also to create awareness for local musicians who have spent the biggest part of their lives keeping the very fabric of the blues and jazz scene alive in the city.

“It’s a special line-up this year, we have Steve Cropper playing his first Northern Ireland date on what will most likely be his last tour.

“He was voted the second most influential guitar player in the world after Jimi Hendrix, so he has earned his stripes.”

Despite only being in its second year, the Big River festival has established a strong reputation in a short space of time.

“I believe that the tremendous success of the event can be used to grow the local music and arts scene and I think it is crucial to preserve the local music history, recognise and reward local musicians and artists, by showcasing their talents in the city,” Michael said.

“This also helps to promote good and better relations between communities, while transforming a once-divided city into a vibrant, new dynamic shared place with local and international appeal.”

And Michael encouraged music fans to experience the range of talent on offer.

“The success of the festival depends on people coming along to see the acts, so we would encourage everyone to come along and support it,” he said.

n The Big River Blues and Jazz festival runs until Monday.

For more information, or to book tickets, contact the Belfast Welcome centre on Welcome centre 9024 6609 or log on to www.