The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Blues Society Challenge wraps up Saturday
Blues activity is really picking up. Choices abound all over the state. Wherever you end up will be a good picks, so go out and enjoy the opportunity to take in a variety of local and national acts.
On Saturday, Hannon Hatch VFW hosts the Connecticut Blues Society Blues Challenge Finals at 1 p.m. This is one of the society’s big events and showcases some of the state’s best blues talent. Five evenings of preliminaries has led up to this day. Bands from around the state participated for the chance to go to Memphis. Six bands will take part: The D. Smith Band, Black Snake Boots, Easy Baby, The Redliners, The Brandt Taylor Band, and The Mike Crandall Band.
Saturday, Infinity Music Hall Hartford has Tab Benoit. This guitarist/ singer/songwriter is one of the shining stars in the blues world. He has received BB King’s Entertainer of The Year Award, the Contemporary Male Performer of The Year Award and a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Blues Album.
Benoit’s slight twang gives a hint of his proud Cajun heritage. He grew up in Houma, Louisiana. A guitar player since his teenage years, he hung out at the Blues Box, a music club and cultural center in Baton Rouge run by guitarist Tabby Thomas. Playing guitar alongside Thomas, Raful Neal, Henry Gray and other high-profile regulars at the club, Benoit learned the blues first-hand from a faculty of living blues legends.
Beyond the music, Benoit is the driving force in the Voice of the Wetlands. It is a volunteer-based non-profit established in 2004. It is focused on driving awareness about the loss of the wetlands in southern Louisiana. He has gathered a coalition of local artists and business leaders recognizing the urgency to save the region and the culture of southern Louisiana. Friday, Beniot wil be in Norfolk.
Thursday, in Norfolk it is Buckwheat Zydeco’s Band the legendary Ils Sont Partis. Many people have been introduced to zydeco music and it’s likely been because of Buckwheat Zydeco and his Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band. Since Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural, Jr. the band’s founder, passed away, the legacy of Buckwheat Zydeco has continued.
Prepare for some incredible zydeco music straight from the bayou. Like father like son, paying homage to decades of incredible work, this band and its members continue the legacy of their friend in the only way they know how — by continuing to spread their music to all.
41 Bridge Street Live brings in Scott Sharrard & The Brickyard Band on Friday. Sharrard spent time as lead guitarist and music director of the Gregg Allman Band. He has been called one of the best guitarists in the country. Allman praised him as the perfect guitarist for his band.
Sharrard understands that you don’t need to play like you’re getting paid by the note. He leaves plenty of room for everyone else to do their thing, but when it’s time to solo, he delivers.
Chris Tofield is in the state for a visit and has enough gigs to reach many of his fans. He and Big Mike will be at The Brass Horse Café Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Chris Tofield will also guest at Liviu’s Invitational at J’s Crab Shack on Thursday.
The New London Blues and Brews Fest will take place Saturday and Sunday. Along with the main stage at Hygienic Art Park, a number of venues along Bank Street will also have entertainment.
Saturday’s festivities kick off at noon with the Coast Guard Blues Band, and the weekend features dozens of performances spread throughout downtown and celebrates the musical soul of New London.
The headliner is Sugar Ray and the Bluetones. Other bands include Ms. Marci and The Loveshick Hounds; Brandt Taylor; Chris MacKay and The Tone Shifters; Dan Stevens Trio; Ryan Hartt and The Blue Hearts; The Chris Leigh Band; and The Side Winders. For a complete list and schedule go to: http://www.hygienic.org/?event=blues-brewsfest.
Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez are at Black Eyed Sally’s on Saturday. If you have not been to see the Beehive Queen at Sally’s, now is the time to hear a great show with great songs. Friday, Ray Morant’s Soul Tsunami doing some funky blues and soul is there.
The James Montgomery Blues Band returns to the Hungry Tiger and brings his heavy hitting band back on Saturday night. He mentored with Junior Wells and James Cotton and has toured with Johnny Winter.
The Ballroom at The Outer Space has a Friday show with blues rocker Popa Chubby and The Coffee Grinders.
Portland Town Park is the location of the Portland Music & Arts Fest on Saturday from 12-8 p.m. Plan on a day of outdoor music to benefit the Portland Parks & Rec town park enhancement fund. The Mighty Soul Drivers will be playing there.
Jeff Pitchell & Texas Flood are at the Rocky Hill Elks Club Friday for a benefit event for the Elks Charities.
Veterans Memorial Park in Shelton is the place for Soupstock Music & Arts Festival VIII on Saturday and Sunday. It is a family event with plenty of tasty creations. Creamery Station will be one of the bands playing. Get the complete Blues Beat schedule on Thursday at the blog http:// bluesbeatnews. wordpress. com/. Any questions or comments should be sent to Domenic Forcella at TWBlus@aol.com.