The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Don’t miss John Mayall in Norfolk
The blues choices continue to grow. As the warm weather arrives, the blues is visiting many locales.
Infinity Music Hall in Norfolk has John Mayall on Saturday. The versatile English blues singer, guitarist, organist and songwriter has been bringing the music over a career spans more than fifty years. In the 1960s, he was the founder of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, a band which has included some of the most famous blues and blues-rock musicians of all time.
The Double Tree Hotel in Bristol has started its Friday Night Acoustic Summer Series. The outdoor patio season is officially happening and Friday, the Eran Troy Danner, acoustic duo will be playing at 6:30 p.m. The series will take place every Friday night through September from 6:30-10 p.m. The Oaks with provide refreshment specials along with live acoustic music performances.
Let’s check out Southington for a number of shows. The Tipping Chair Tavern continues will its variety of weekly music events. A couple of stellar guitarists are on tap this week. Saturday, Tom “The Suit” Forst will be on stage. Then Wednesday, Jeff Pitchell will be playing acoustic. Pitchell will be with Texas Flood at The Hungry Tiger on Saturday. Over at The Blackstone Irish Pub on Friday it is the Screamin’ Eagle Band. Smokin’ With Chris brings in Red Planet on Friday, and Thursday has Shawn Taylor. Taylor will be at Noteworthy Music LLC on Monday.
Black-Eyed Sally’s is hosting Dylan Doyle on Friday. Doyle comes with a unique musical interpretation that lies somewhere within the delta of roots, rock, and jazz, giving him a style that defies classification.
Saturday at 3 p.m., the Kathy Thompson Band is playing at Stratford Day. Looks like a busy day with food trucks and vendors. The KTB goes on at 3.
Come Sunday, the Kathy Thompson Band will be at The Parrott Delaney Tavern in New Hartford. They are playing at the first annual fundraiser for the Cheryl Scott Music Education Scholarship at 3:30 p.m.
Casa Mia at the Hawthorne has been bringing a lot of Casa Mia at the Hawthorne dance music. This Saturday it is Eight To The Bar.
Sunday, it is a Triple Buzz at Café 9. Starting at 4 p.m., it is Anne Marie Menta, Haunt The House, and The Sawtelles.
Talk about a hard working man of the blues, Dan Stevens barely has time to catch his breath this week. Friday, Stevens is at the Captain Daniel Packer Inn. Next Saturday has him doing a 10 am show at Lyme Farmers’ Market, Ashlawn Farm, Old Lyme. Sunday Stevens travels to Fort Hill Brewery at 3 p.m. Wednesday Stevens will be on the Old Lyme Inn Patio at 6 p.m., plus a few other regular events on Tuesday.
Ed Stack, President of the Connecticut Blues Society recently announced a new series of blues events, in collaboration with the Maple Tree Cafe in Simsbury. The collaboration will be presenting a monthly series of shows, featuring the some of the best Blues talent in the state. Many of the bands have represented the CTBS at the International Blues Challenge, in Memphis, other bands have participated in the challenge competitions, and some bands who know how to party from their volunteering at the Blues Blizzard. Hopefully, some of the state’s young bands will make the stage, showing the potential for “keeping the blues alive.”
The Maple Tree Cafe has a long history of presenting blues in the Farmington Valley. The CTBS is proud to be bringing the best of the local bands to this established venue. The Maple Tree has a sizable wood dance floor, as well as being a full service restaurant, with a wide array of menu items. You can join them as the CTBS/Maple Tree Cafe series unfolds each month. Enjoy a night out with great blues in a classic nightclub setting.
While Blues Beat often mentions some regional blues festivals worth attending, you can get your fill by remaining in the state. June and August will be keeping your weekends busy. On June 10, the Connecticut Blues Society holds its Blues Challenge finals. The following week is Black-Eyed & Blues in Bushnell Park. Up in Coventry, it is the Marz Fest. Friends are honoring Richard Marz, a blues musician who passed away in 2014. Marz was talented and fun to watch.
That takes us to June 24, where Willimantic and Mystic will be the scene of a lot of music. The Shaboo All-Stars will be hosting a day of music and for a good cause. In Mystic it is the River Jam Festival at Mystic Shipyard.
When August rolls in, Stafford Springs Blues Fest starts the month off. Then to close July, the 5th Annual 2 Left Feet Blues Festival with two full days of blues and after parties. More info to come or check their websites.