The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
September, October packed with music
It’s another busy week for blues in the state; and of note is the number of benefits musicians are giving their time and talents to support.
Shemekia Copeland, a powerhouse on the blues scene, is at 41 Bridge Street Live Friday night. She was really a superstar since her start as a teenager. “America’s Child,” her latest release, groundbreaking. She is one of today’s most compelling singers. The record introduces listeners to another side of her.
Copeland has shown the staying power of a true blues professional. Her voice carries her songs and along with it the audience. Copeland puts it all out, at times being sultry, assertive and even roaring. You can feel the honesty and passion in her delivery. She sings with a passion and insight about the chaos and uncertainty in the world, while still finding joy all around her.
When Copeland broke on the scene in 1998 with her groundbreaking Alligator Records debut CD “Turn The Heat Up,” she instantly became a force to be reckoned with. With the success each subsequent release, Copeland’s music has continued to grow, she earned eight Blues Music Awards, and a host of Living Blues Awards including the prestigious 2010 Blues Artist of the Year.
The birth of her son, Johnny Lee Copeland, in 2017 made her take an even deeper look at the state of the world. She’s looking to the future her son will inherit.
The Cruise Brews and Blues Benefit Festival takes place Saturday at the Chester Fairgrounds. It is run to serve the community and raise money for the At Risk Boys Fund, but that doesn’t mean that we cannot enjoy some great music, look at some awesome cars, taste some amazing food, and browse some great products at the marketplace. The bands scheduled to play include: Frank Breen, traditional acoustic blues; Peter Magrane and the Drive by Blues Band, upbeat ragtime and originals; Blues on the Rocks, genuine blues; Ramblin’ Dan Stevens and the Fiery Band, eclectic fingerstyle blues, slide and originals; Jake Kulak and The Lowdown featuring Braiden Sunshine, a collaboration between Connecticut’s representative to the International Blues Challenge and finalist on The Voice, Braiden Sunshine; and Ryan Hartt and Tom Ferraro, New England blues super group.
Friday, Johnny A. is at FTC Stage One. The show is promoted as “Just me and my guitars, a celebration of the British song book of the 60’s.” Johnny A. lets his guitar do the talking, but he also has of the most eloquent voices in modern music. He thinks like a singer when he plays, always tasteful and always powerful. He takes six strings and turns them loose in ways that transcend musical genres, challenging himself to take on different styles while making his Gibson sing.
On Thursday at the FTC Warehouse, Anders Osborne plays a benefit to support SpreadMusicNow. By supporting nonprofit and school-based music programs that foster continual learning and put students on a clear path to college, career, and life success, SpreadMusicNow transforms lives. Osborne is known for his richly detailed songwriting, intensely emotional, soulful vocals, and his piercing, expert guitar work.
Black-Eyed Sally’s has the Chris Ruest Band on Saturday. He belongs to the impressive class of serious Texas blues guitarists. While the others may have wider name recognition, Ruest has quietly built a reputation of excellence that is spreading beyond his Dallas home base. A veteran with nearly two decades’ experience on the bandstand, Ruest’s passion for classic blues (jump, Chicago, and Gulf Coast) and roots rock forms comes through in an original voice.
Jim Carty is hosting another Connecticut House Concert on Friday in Old Lyme. Heading the bill is blues diva Gina Sicilia.
Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center brings Leo Kottke in on Wednesday. A virtuoso guitar player, since 1969 he has delighted fans with understated lyrics, fascinating instrumentals, a wonderfully unique personality during live performances, and a playing style that pushes the boundaries of the instrument. He plays folk and blues with occasional allusions to jazz techniques and styling.
Big Mike and Chris Tofield have a three day visit to The Brass Horse Café. They play Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday at 4 p.m. Thursday, Chris Tofield and the Blues Benders will be playing at the Woodbury Brewing Company. This is the only gig with the original lineup — with the exception of Jimmy Grizwold — until possibly next year. Tofield is joined by Greg Alan on bass and Steve Peck on drums.
If you are visiting The Big E, stop at the Connecticut Beer Garden where Shawn Taylor will be in residence Saturday at 5 p.m.
Other musical events of Interest: The Falcon on all its stages Domestic Violence Awareness Benefit on Sunday. It will be an all Women All-Star show all day.
Sunday, The Spaceland Ballroom has George Porter Jr. with Truth and guest Ron Artis II. Porter is best known as the bassist and singer of The Meters. He played with Joyride and with many other New Orleans musicians in the 1980s.
Also on Sunday, the Kathy Thompson Band is at The Parrott Delaney Tavern for the annual fundraiser for the Cheryl Scott Music Education Scholarship.
Sunday is a benefit for Mike Rondeau featuring the Spyda Blues All-Stars at the Loyal Oder of the Moose in Chiopee, Massachusetts.
Suzuki Music School is holding a Ukulele Festival Friday with entertainment from 12 to 9 p.m. Church of the Archangels in Stamford has a Friday Greek Fest at 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Terri and Rob Duo will be on WESU’s Voice of the City.
Get the complete Blues Beat schedule on Thursday at the blog http://bluesbeatnews.word press.com/. Any questions or comments should be sent to Domenic Forcella at TWBlus@aol.com.