The essence of blues music lies in transforming the emotional stories of life into opportunities for joyful noise. Howard Luedtke and Blue Max aim to capture these feelings and more, as they place first in the category this year. The Sue Orfield Band, ranking second, also encapsulates the nuances of blues compositions with their trademark sax-heavy tunes which have become a staple in the Chippewa Valley for decades. In third this year, Cathy Reitz & 7Swing has remained an active, established ensemble of musicians who create an ambient, moody sound — perfect for any local event. —Evelyn Nelson