The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Blues society presents Blues Band Challenge
At Bushnell Park on Saturday, the Connecticut Blues Society presents its 23rd Annual Blues Band Challenge Finals. Taking part will be the winners from the preliminaries and a wildcard. The band roster includes: Murray the Wheel, Vitamin B-3, Cole Morson Band, D. Smith Blues Band, and Jake Kulak & the Low Down.
This year the finals are being held with Black-eyed Sally’s 19th Annual Blackeyed & Blues Festival (3 p.m.).
Refreshments are crafted Black-eyed Sally’s. Bring a blanket or chair and your dancing shoes to enjoy some great food & music.
After the Blues Challenge Final 5 bands are done, Michael Palin’s Other Orchestra, The Slam Allen Band and Studebaker John & the Hawks will end the evening.
Down in Old Lyme on Saturday, Jim Carty is hosting a Blues House Party. The featured performer is Bob Margolin of the Muddy Waters Band. He will be backed by special guests the Tyler Morris Band.
Margolin is without a doubt the most vital Muddy Waters Band alumni still performing and he demonstrated on the Last Waltz 40 Tour last year that he’s at the height of his powers. From1973-80 he played in Muddy Waters’ band, appearing on all of the albums Muddy made then and at special shows like The Last Waltz. While leading his band and playing his own music at his own shows, Margolin still honors Muddy Waters in his music and special shows.
In 2017 Margolin earned three Blues Music Award nominations including a win for Best Male Traditional Blues Artist.
In this tour through New England Margolin is with the Tyler Morris Band. He met Morris and they played in Memphis together at the IBC in January and in May after the BMAs. Their music goes well together. The Tyler Morris Band has got a fine new album, Next In Line, released by The VizzTone Label Group where Margolin is a founding partner.
Jake Kulak & the LowDown will open and other musicians include Ryan Hartt, Rosey Rosenblatt, and the Chris Leigh Band.
Arrive around 1 p.m., music starts at1:30 p.m. sharp. Bring folding chairs and coolers, some grills and basics will be provided, bring pot luck. A donation will be appreciated. Join in for a fun day. The party is at 14 Oakridge Drive, Old Lyme, with on-street parking and extra parking at State Boat Landing. Feel free to contact Jim Carty for details at: jcbc93@gmail.com or 617721-7587.
Bijou Theatre keeps bringing in top blues talent. This Wednesday it is Jimmy Vivino with guest Duke Levine. Vivino & the EastcoasT Bluesoul Rockers will be doing songs From Out Of The Woodwork Tour. His show has musical influences and some original thoughts on the blues, soul and rock & roll.
Vivino serves as the music director on the TBS late night show Conan and has been a consistent element in O’Brien’s late night career. He currently leads Jimmy Vivino and The Basic Cable Band on Conan. In addition to his solo work, Vivino plays with the successful Beatles tribute band The Fab Faux. Vivino has also recorded and played live with such legends as Johnnie Johnson, Hubert Sumlin, Levon Helm and Al Kooper. He likes to say “I’m just a Bluesman with a pretty good job.”
Tipping Chair Tavern has a great bill Friday night. Start off with Lee-Ann Lovelace & George Lesiw (5 p.m.) for Happy hour(s). When they finish, Diane Blue starts. A vocalist and harmonica player heading her own band, Blue now is now lead singer with Ronnie Earl Band. Joining her are award winning Bassist Lisa Mann and guitarist Chris Vitarello. Monday, Ray & Sonia Morant Soul Tsunami Duo are there.
Sunday, 41 Bridge Street and FOCUS Center for Autism present FOCUS ROCKS: A Benefit Concert with the Michael Cleary Band and others. The show starts at 5 p.m. Since 2000, FOCUS has been dedicated to helping children and young adults with autism spectrum and other related disorders achieve their full potential.
The Robert Cray Band continues its swing through the state with a stop at The Mohegan Sun Wolf Den on Saturday.
Still River Festival at the Riverton Fairgrounds has Danny Draher, Scott Sebastion and the Reign and Someone You Can X-ray in its line-up.
Still River Music Festival is organized with the collaboration of local musicians, businesses and organizations in mind. This one day, multi-genre festival is set on the agricultural fair grounds along the Still River, in the historic village of Riverton. It will feature various local musicians from the Connecticut and New England area, a variety of artists and entrepreneurs, beer garden, activities and more.
Still River Music Festival, a local community based festival, will benefit AIM for a Better Tomorrow, a nonprofit organization that supports and creates art and music programming for at risk populations in multiple communities. CHIRP, Concert Happenings in Ridgefield’s Parks (https:// chirpct.org/), has a Thursday show with the Paul des Lauriers Band. These Canadian based blues veterans blend rock with straightahead blues in a way that echoes the vibe of the great power trios from the 60s and 70s.
The Moose Lodge in enfield is hosting a, Suicide Prevention Pig Roast & Poker Run on Saturday (noon). Cobalt Express will be playing.
Also on Saturday,The Derby Cultural Commission sponsors Derby Day hosted by Creamery Station (3 p.m).
Get the complete Blues Beat schedule on Thursday at the blog http://bluesbeatnews.word
press.com/.