The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Buddy Guy playing Ridgefield Playhouse
There are some big doings in the state this week.
Tuesday, Ridgefield Playhouse brings in blues legend Buddy Guy. He is the dean of Chicago blues and one of the remaining links to its beginnings. Guy is touring in support of his new studio album, “The Blues Is Alive And Well.” The album features guest appearances by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Jeff Beck. Grammy Awardwinning producer/songwriter and longtime collaborator Tom Hambridge produced the album.
Guy didn’t immediately rise to the top. He worked long and hard with a talent that would not be denied. He left Louisiana for Chicago, got his guitar skills going, and never looked back. Many remember him for his album with Jr. Wells, a partnership that served both. Now, just his mention draws audiences — he is blues history at its best.
Another big man in the blues is New Yorker Popa Chubby, who is heading to Bridge Street Live on Friday. Born Ted Horowitz, he has been hard rocking the blues in his fierce and soulful way for more than 25 years. Over the course of his career, he has been a force of to be reckoned with on the guitar. His tempestuous, soulful playing has never been more powerful, yet he can slow it down to a tasteful ballad. An imposing figure with a shaven head, tattooed arms, a goatee and a performance style he describes as “the Stooges meets Buddy Guy, Motörhead meets Muddy Waters, and Jimi Hendrix meets Robert Johnson,” Popa Chubby is an endearing character who is one of the genre’s most popular figures.
Saturday, is going to be a night to remember at Black-Eyed Sally’s, when legendary harp-master Jerry Portnoy leads a cadre of harp players including Dave Robbins, Cheryl Arena and Johnny Marino.
Portnoy grew up in the blues-rich atmosphere of Chicago’s famous Maxwell Street Market during the golden age of Chicago blues. He began his professional career in the late 60s, and since that time has performed, live and on television, for millions of people around the world. He has put in his time with the legendary Muddy Waters, as well as Eric Clapton and Ronnie Earl.
On Friday, Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones will be at Sally’s. Deming is an American blues and roots guitarist/vocalist and 2013 recipient of the Blues Blast Music Awards’ Sean Costello Rising Star Award. His traditional taste and style are evident in his original music.
Saturday, The Bijou Theatre brings in the George T. Gregory Band. Gregory is a vocalist and strong Sax player, who has been delighting audiences from New England and out to the San Francisco Bay Area for years. He plays with a modern mix of original and cover songs in Blues, R & B, Electric Motown, Pop Jazz, and New Orleans style rock and roll. His band provides a flavorful mix of music that makes everyone get up and dance.
On the East Coast, his successful band, The George T. Gregory Band, headlined many of the same clubs as The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Roomful of Blues, The Nighthawks, and The Fabulous Rhinestones. Gregory will keep an audience entertained. Leo Boogie will open the evening.
Cafe Nine has a Tuesday show with Eric Lindell. He effortlessly mixes West Coast rock, swampy New Orleans R&B, honky tonk country and Memphis soul, creating music that is both surprisingly fresh and sweetly familiar. Although influenced by American roots music from blues to country to rock, Lindell’s style is all his own.
Saturday, the Maple Tree Café has its monthly Connecticut Blues Society show. This week features Carl Ricci and 706 Union Ave. Get ready for some hot guitar, ringing harmonica and a lot of fun.
Saturday, Infinity Music Hall; Norfolk has Bettye LaVette. This Diva burst onto the Detroit music scene, where she quickly caught the attention of the Soul world. From singing in James Brown’s Review, touring with Otis Redding, making disco and R&B chart topping solo records, she also won WC Handy Blues album awards, and a six year Broadway run in “Bubbling Brown Sugar among her credits. This 3-time Grammy Nominee along with Blues Music Awards, has been tearing up stages and blowing away audiences around the globe.
In Hartford, Infinity Music Hall on Saturday has Sacred Fire and Bell Bottom Blues, a night honoring Santana and Clapton.
FTC Warehouse has a Friday, End of Summer Jam. Summer is coming to a close so FTC is having one last free outdoor-indoor throw down. Head to the Warehouse at 6 pm for live music by bluesman Tony Sarno Band followed by local favorites, The Alpaca Gnomes.
A cabaret style event on Saturday with the Kathy Thompson Band takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. at Father Toner Hall at Christ the Redeemer Church in Milford. It is a style geared for fun, so gather a group of friends together for a fun night of listening and dancing. For information call 203-877-8757.