The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Harmonica showcase hits Hartford this weekend
This week’s buzz is about the return of “The Northeast Blues Harmonica Showcase” to BlackEyed Sally’s on Saturday. The show provides fans of with stellar blues playing, powerhouse blues vocalists, sizzling electric blues and an evening of outstanding musical entertainment.
Four regionally and nationally recognized blues harmonica players will lead the show, all backed one of the East Coast’s premier bands, The Ricky King Russell Band.
On harp is Brian Templeton, Diane Blue, Racky Thomas, and The Kosher Kid.
Templeton is the former lead singer of the Boston based blues band, The Radio Kings. He is one of the most talented vocalists and blues harmonica wizards to come along in quite a while. His combination of power and conviction combined with his hard swinging delivery and dynamic stage presence makes him a true standout. Templeton has toured, backed and recorded with the best of the best in the blues world.
Diane Blue has been on Blues Beat’s radar for some time and now she has emerged nationally as a blues powerhouse. She landed a highly coveted gig as with Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters. Touring and recording with the Broadcasters has brought her to more audiences.
Among Blue’s many note-worthy accomplishments are 2011 and 2015 Blues Audience Readers Poll winner for Outstanding Female Singer, 2010 Massachusetts Blues Challenge Winner, earning her a slot at The 2011 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, 2007 nominee for Providence Phoenix Best Blues/R&B Act and for Best Female Vocalist, and voted Motif Magazine’s 2007 Best Blues Act.
Regional Boston area blues hero and troubadour, Racky Thomas adds superb vocalist skills, songwriting and bandleader to his resume. The Racky Thomas Band became a New England favorite, winning the 1997 Boston Blues Battle and releasing critically acclaimed CD’s, in addition to making numerous festival and club appearances throughout the USA and France.
Rounding out the harp master is the man known to blues and harmonica fans around New England as the blues harp burner, The Kosher Kid. He was the former harp man and founding member of the roots Blues band Easybaby, and a long-time harp man and vocalist for Boston’s West End Blues Band. He now fronts The Incredible Amplifires.
The Kosher Kid has travelled throughout New England for the last 30 years playing music clubs, festivals and roadhouses in various bands as well as supporting nationally touring acts.
Backing this list of harp talent is the Ricky “King” Russell Band. Russell is one of blues’ most seasoned performers and one of the region’s known guitar slingers. He plays with passion and style and always delivers from the heart He was a featured artist at the original House of Blues in Cambridge and Harvard University has bestowed upon him an honorary “Doctorate of the Blues.”
Sunday, Sally’s is hosting a Halloween Jam for Musicians Lifeline from 3 to 8 p.m. (costumes are optional). Musicians Lifeline, Inc. is a volunteer organization that responds primarily to the medical and social needs of the musicians and music professionals in our regional community. The mission of the Musicians Lifeline is to support and provide charitable assistance to all types of music industry professionals located in the greater New England region who are struggling to maintain their livelihood, due to illness, disability, age, or unemployment. For more information go to: http://musicians-lifeline.org/.
Thursday, the Po’ Boys are there with Ryan Hartt.
Liviu’s Invitational at J’s Crab Shack on Thursday has our friend from Verona, Roberto Morbioli.
Some other shows that might get your attention are Albert Cummings at Infinity Music Hall on Friday. The guitar player knows how to hold an audience.
The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center brings in the Allman, Neville, Pitchell Band for a Saturday show. Wednesday and Thursday, George Winston is there. All proceeds from his shows will be donated to a local food pantry and soup kitchen.
The Tipping Chair Tavern is bringing in two state favorites. Friday has Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez followed Wednesday with an acoustic show by Jeff Pitchell.
Saturday, Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez are at The Knickerbocker Café.
Friday, College Street Music Hall has Gov’t Mule.
Keep a lookout for the venues with Halloween parties this weekend. One is at the Red Zone Sports Bar on Saturday, a Monster Halloween Bash with the Front Row Band.
Andover Pizza & Bar is having Takin’ out the Trash on Friday. This is a new band with Brian Bynes, Brandt Taylor and Tom Terry. The boys are up to the usual mischief and shenanigans, this time at Andover Pizza. There’s no cover, just a good time at the Gravediggers former hangout.
How about a Sunday Brunch and Blues? The Brick & Basil Wood Fired Pizza Co. in Norwich has the Brandt Taylor Trio to go along with your dining.
Sunday, the Balkun Brothers were named the winners of the Connecticut Blues Society solo/duo competition and will represent the Connecticut Blues Society in the 2017 International Blues Challenge in Memphis,
Phil Chess, who with his brother founded Chess Records, a storied Chicago label that captured great blues musicians like Muddy Waters in their prime and helped power the musical fusillade of rock ’n’ roll with vibrant recordings by the likes of Chuck Berry, died last week at his home in Tucson. He was 95.
Chess Records was one of the most prominent of the independent labels. The movie “Cadillac Records” was based on the Chess label.