The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Alexis P. Suter brings her big, soulful voice to Bridgeport on Sunday
BRIDGEPORT — New York blueswoman Alexis P. Suter will take over the Bijou Theatre — and an otherwise quiet Sunday afternoon — with a matinee performance today featuring Alexis P. Suter & The Ministers of Sound.
Suter, a big woman with a big, soulful voice, blends her blues with soulful gospel influences and is known for her ability to connect with an audience and use her bass/ baritone voice to the fullest.
Marcia Fountain will open the show, which begins at 4 p.m. (Doors at 3.) Tickets are $22, available in advance at bijoutheatrect.net.
Suter, a Blues Music Award nominee 2013 and 2015, rose to prominence during nearly 100 appearances at the late Levon Helm’s famous Midnight Rambles in Woodstock, New York. She also opened a number of times for the late B.B. King during his New York appearances.
The Ministers of Sound are Ray Grappone on drums and percussion, Vicki Bell on vocals and percussion, and Dave Keyes on piano and organ, along with various “special guest musicians.”
As openers for The Levon Helm Band, they played to sold-out audiences at the Beacon Theater, Bethel Woods Center For The Arts, The Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and Central Park’s Summerstage.
Suter and her band also have opened for Etta James, Bo Diddley, Trombone Shorty, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Dickey Betts, Coco Montoya, Buddy Guy, Allen Touissaint, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Winter, Elvis Costello and the 20-year reunion of the Muddy Waters Band.
Suter is currently touring in support of two releases, “All For Loving You,” on American Showplace Music, and “AMOS Live at Briggs Farm” on Briggs Farm Records.
Both recordings take modern blues and roots music in new directions, pushing the form just a bit beyond its normal boundaries with Suter’s powerful, deep soulful voice charging forward.
Also this afternoon, gifted Milwaukee-raised singersongwriter Pamela Means will perform at Cafe Nine in New Haven as part of the weekly “The Sunday Buzz” Matinee from Cygnus Radio. That Virginia opens.
Showtime for that show also is 4 p.m. (Doors at 3.) Admission is $15, available in advance at cafenine.com.