The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
There’s a blues blizzard coming our way
This is one weather forecast that there is no doubt about. There is a blizzard coming. The Connecticut Blues Society’s annual Blues Blizzard dance party will be held Saturday, at the Hannon-Hatch VFW in West Hartford. Five seasoned blues acts from all over the state will perform. Doors will open at 5 pm and live music begins at 6 p.m.
Each band will perform a 45-minute set, beginning with The Sidewinders. Following them are Six Pack of Blues; Jr. Krauss & The Shakes; Vitamin B3; and closing the show, The Rich Badowski Band. Food and drinks will be available from Hannon-Hatch VFW members.
The idea is to have as much fun as possible, to keep the crowd dancing, and for musicians and blues fans alike to make new friends with the same love for the music. The Blues Blizzard atmosphere is electric, and the dance floor fills early in the evening. This annual event, which has taken place for over twenty years, is so popular that people have been known to wait to get in, per order of the Fire Marshall. Arrive early to be assured a seat.
Connecticut Blues Society president Ed Stack said, “Our members look forward to this major event. We have two bands performing for the first time: The Sidewinders, featuring Peter Moore, and Six Pack of Blues, featuring Fran Drew.”
The mission of the nonprofit Connecticut Blues Society is to promote and preserve the blues as a unique art form in Connecticut.
Also on Saturday, a strong wind blows into Black-Eyed Sally’s as the Northeast Blues Harmonica Showcase storms into town. It will be an unforgettable display of world class, blues harmonica artistry.
Headlining the event is legendary harmonica player, vocalist and historian, Adam Gussow, well-known as part of the blues duo, “Satan & Adam.” As Satan & Adam, Sterling “Mister Satan” Magee and Adam Gussow were a fixture on Harlem‘s sidewalks in the 1980s and 1990s. Satan and Adam played several comeback gigs in Mississippi, where Gussow is now an associate professor at the University of Mississippi. More recently he formed the “Blues Doctors”, an outstanding blues duo, touring as a recording artist with the Modern Blues Harmonica record label.
Also features will be Johnny Marino. Drawn to the blues harmonica via records by Paul Butterfield, James Cotton and many more. These days, Marino can be seen with his band “BluesHead.”
Chris Stovall Brown brings a smokin’ hot set of Boston Bblues. Recently he produced two critically acclaimed CD’s with Watermelon Slim, with whom he tours internationally.
The Kosher Kid rounds out the evening’s harp talent. Blues fans get his set of blues harp playing and soulful vocals. Fans know the Kid from his days recording and gigging with “Dave Robbins Band”, Boston’s “West End Blues Band” and as the Original Harp player and co-founder of CT’s “Easybaby”. These days he tours his own band, “Kosher Kid & The Incredible Amplifires.”
The Ricky “King” Russell Band provides the backing. They are worth the admission themselves with his passion and style.
Friday, Sally’s has The Blues Project.
The Tipping Chair Tavern keeps the blues going with a Sunday and Monday visit from the Lucky Peterson Band with Tamara Tramell. Then Wednesday, Jeff Pitchell performs acoustic.
Peterson is a multi-talented with instruments and vocals. Add his talented wife on vocals and you have a show state fans have been enjoying. Friday, Peterson is Daddy Jack’s and at Pitchell does an evening at Pazzo’s.
Blues legend James Montgomery brings his heat to The Bijou Theatre on Saturday. He learned from the masters like James Cotton and Jr. Wells. He continues to be a vital presence on the blues scene as a dynamic performer.
The Sara Ashleigh Band has its debut at the Maple Tree Café on Friday.
Infinity Music Hall Norfolk brings Blues Beat back in time with a John Sebastian show on Friday. Saturday, Eric Johnson with Arielle is in Norfolk.
Cheryl Tracy Open Jam’s latest project is at The Meadowlands in New Britain. This event will be a weekly jam every Tuesday night. First time, Tom “The Suit” Forst welcomed the crowd.
Ouzo Blue formerly The Red Door has Blues Alley on Saturday.
If you have been following the Blues Beat Blues Schedule on the Bluesbeatnews blog, you will have noticed a growing number of breweries with entertainment. They seem to be ideal for solo/duo acts.
At March’s first Sunday of the month Connecticut Blues Society Jam, Paul Gabriel received a Lifetime Achievement award from the society, in recognition of his talent and his body of work, along with his contributions to the state scene. This is only the second time the award has been given out.