This unique, outstanding musical tribute to the late, legendary Northern Irish guitarist Gary Moore was a magical, mystical experience to hear, see and witness on the wonderful Main Stage at The Open Air Blues Festival Brezoi, Valcea in Romania. The finale of day three of Europe’s premier extended Blues festival started around 11.30pm and finished two hours later. The thousands there, Blues travellers from across the globe were treated to the most thoughtfully curated musical testament to the Blues, Blues Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and Jazz Fusion musician.

Kaz Hawkins was the artistic director, lead vocalist and presenter of this one-off concert. Hawkins is Europe’s empress of the Blues scene. Born in Moore's hometown of Belfast, but is now based in France, giving her the ability to tour and perform in Europe. Kaz was the first UK winner of the European Blues Challenge in 2017 beating twenty-one other countries, and is an acclaimed broadcaster, presenter of the regular BBC Belfast radio show, Kaz Hawkins Got The Blues, as well as a composer and artistic director. Hawkins’ reach and range is truly international.

The 2026 Presenter of this Open Air Blues Festival in Brezoi, affectionately known as Mama, Kaz is ultra professional in any project that she is involved in and leads. So anyone on board the Hawkins’ music Soul train better buckle up ride hard and deliver! Indeed, Kaz zealously drove her dream to bring and channel the Celtic spirit, magic and music of Moore to the masses that attended as well as those that heard the concert on the free live stream. Hawkins’ international collaboration of all of the superb musicians involved also embodied the essence of music being for love, peace and joy. I know from being privileged to be part of the press at Brezoi, the amount of hard work and rehearsals during the week behind the scenes led by Empress Hawkins!

Kaz's exacting standards and the finest international lineup delivered her dream. Comprising Adrian Tetrade’s band, with Tetrade as bandleader, Raul Kusak on keys and Hammond organ, Alex Cismaru on guitar and vocals, and Alin Neagoe on bass, all provided the core line up. Then there were the featured, prominent guitarists and vocalists, including the outstanding Romanian guitarist Rares Totu, Andre Cerbu, Australia’s own Glasgow born Louis King, as well as the UK’s Ben Poole and Danny Bryant. And the special guest was the super talented guitarist, Jack Moore, Gary Moore’s own son, who came in from Poland to pay his own personal tribute to his beloved late father by playing intensely and belovedly, some superb guitar licks and riffs.

This two hour special concert was themed over four acts:

Act 1: The Fire Awakes’s set featured 'The Loner' and 'The Stumble' with Totu, King, Cerbu, Bryant, Poole and Moore, which then segued into a perfect performance of 'Still Got The Blues', with powerhouse Hawkins on lead vocals plus Moore on guitar. With that song alone the power of Hawkins alongside Moore’s playing could be felt. The crowd were enchanted and indeed I felt super emotional at hearing this Blues classic. Hawkins with Moore together was for me a highlight of the entire Open Air Blues Festival. 'Stormy Monday' and 'Too Tired' with Hawkins and Poole on guitar, was then followed by 'I Need Your Love So Bad featuring Hawkins, Bryant and Moore, closing off a terrific first set.

Act 2: Blues, Soul, Rock & Roots included 'Bring My Baby Back' featuring King, Hawkins and Cerbu, as well as 'You Don’t Love Me', 'The Prophet' and 'Since I Met You Baby' with Bryant and Hawkins, 'Empty Rooms' featuring Totu, who also led on guitar on 'Cold Day In Hell', and finally Poole playing 'Parisienne Walkways'.

Act 3: Legacy and Connection featured original numbers from Jack Moore, namely 'Peace of Mind' and 'In My Shoes', as well as Hawkins’ superb original, 'Because You Love Me'.

Act 4: The Grand Finale: The Spirit Lives On that saw the full ensemble and the audience joining in on 'Out In the Fields', 'Over The Hills And Far Away, and finally, these fabulous musicians encored with 'Walking By Myself'.

Kaz and Adrian, along with all of the musicians, as well as the sound and tech crew, more than triumphed with this unique legacy concert. The musical magic of Moore came to the foot of the Carpathian mountains and cloaked itself around every single person who was in Brezoi and beyond at this concert. I also want to congratulate the incredible human being Mihai Razvan Mugescu, the founder and organiser of The Open Air Blues Festival for enabling Hawkins to realise her dream with this ensemble project. Also Rares Totu for his special support, enabling me to share the set list, review and this special experience across the globe. Enjoy the photos too!

Review and photos: Denise Lester