The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Suter will enthrall at the Bijou Theatre
The Bijou Theatre presents Alexis P. Suter & The Ministers of Sound for a Sunday matinee at 4 p.m. Alexis P. Suter & The Ministers of Sound are enthralling people every time they play, providing a mix of gospel, blues, traditional, poignant, and time-honored American Roots nusic, in an up close and personal setting.
A Blues Music Award nominee (2013, 2015), Suter is a powerhouse bass/baritone vocalist with the ability to go to “that other place” where singers go when they get lost in the music. One can read her emotions as she commits to a song. Mesmerizing and gripping do not begin to describe what happens to her, and to those who witness her heart-felt song interpretations.
Along with Suter’s singular voice, The Ministers of Sound feature a multi-faceted backing band. Often it features the talents of Ray Grappone (APSB, Buster Poindexter, Levon Helm) on drums and percussion, often including Vicki Bell (APSB, Open Door, Corey Daye) on vocals and percussion and the phenomenal Dave Keyes on piano and organ along with some very special guest musicians.
Opening the show is Marcia Fountain, an extraordinary, singer, songwriter, producer and gospel recording artist. As an artist, she has toured the United States and Europe. She was also commissioned by Amistad America, Inc., to compose and record the theme song “Oh Amistad” for the Amistad Freedom Schooner, which now sails around the world. Fountain has performed at many world-renowned venues.
Saturday, Kal David, Lauri Bono & the Real Deal will be at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. David has long been center stage with his magnificent guitar work. Bono’s vocals bring them to another level. Always appreciated in the state, their shows reflect this, and are powerful with a gentleness only they can do.
Blues rocker Coco Montoya is back at Bridge Street Live on Thursday. The guitarist and vocalist brings a searing show with him. Montoya has a set of the fastest hands in today’s guitar world. Taught by the “Master of the Telecaster,” Albert Collins, but with a hard-edged sound and style all his own, Montoya mixes his forceful, melodic guitar playing and passionate vocals with memorable songs, delivering the blues.
He earned his status as a master guitarist and soulpowered vocalist through years of paying his dues as a sideman with Collins (first as a drummer) and then with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, before launching his solo career in 1993. All his experience turned him into a monster player and dynamic performer when he set off on his own. Montoya has played at clubs, concert halls and major festivals all over the world.
Infinity Music Hall Norfolk has a full weekend, with Carolyn Wonderland on Friday and Saturday’s show featuring Peter Wolf. Wonderland is a multi-award winning artist from Texas. She has been honored for her vocal skills and with her band. She brings an excitement that only a Texas guitarist can bring to the stage. Add her growth on the music charts and you will see why the crowds are going to her shows.
Peter Wolf was an early rock ‘n’ roll convert after attending an Alan Freed rock ‘n’ roll revue. His thirst for new and old sounds drove him to explore blues, soul, country, folk and jazz, weekly visits to Harlem’s Apollo Theatre and leading to connections with many of the music’s surviving originators.
Schooling brought him to Boston, where Wolf’s natural loquaciousness won him a job as an all-night DJ on the fledgling FM rock station WBCN. Blues Beat remembers listening to Wolf in those days when FM radio was the real thing.
His days with the J. Geils Band brought him to the top with its raw, uninhibited rock ‘n’ roll, in part based on his encyclopedic musical knowledge. After going solo with 1984, Wolf collaborated with the likes of Aretha Franklin, John Lee Hooker, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Little Milton, and more.
Daryl’s House has a Friday show featuring Ruthie Foster. Also on the bill is Adam Falcon. The Austin vocalist is a powerhouse performer with 3 Grammy Nominations and 7 Blues Music Awards. Falcon a veteran player is a Daryl’s favorite. Saturday, The Myles Mancuso Band will be there for a CD release party. He is a nationally recognized blues prodigy who fronts his own band, singing and playing guitar and keyboards.
Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre on Thursday it is Gary Clark Jr. To sum up Clark is a challenge. Called a musical universe unto himself, he continues to expand at a nearly immeasurable rate. He is a fine guitarist, a dazzling songwriter and engagingly soulful singer.
The Balkun Brothers will be doing the After-Show. Make sure you have some energy left as these Brothers will leave you breathless. Blues, rock, jam and 100 percent explosion, you will not be disappointed.
Saturday and Sunday, it is the 10th Annual MITCH FEST at the Knickerbocker Café. All proceeds from this event are to benefit Hope Hospice and Palliative Care of Rhode Island in memory of James “Mitch” Christina. It is hosted by the Christina family. Some of the musicians include Toni Lynn Washington Band; Johnny and The East Coast Rockers; The Chris Leigh Band; and many more.