The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Fine talent lines up at Black-Eyed Sally’s
Black-Eyed Sally’s has a weekend of some fine talent. Friday, Grammy-nominated and Chicago Blues Legend, Lurrie Bell and his Stella Blues Band take the stage. This is a blues event you do not want to miss.
Lurrie Bell is a premier guitarist in the Windy City today, ranked among the greats in blues history. He is the son of harmonica legend Carey Bell and spent his childhood at the feet of such fabled bluesmen as Eddie Taylor, Big Walter Horton, and Pinetop Perkins. By his mid-20s, Bell’s resumé included recording sessions with Eddie C. Campbell, Eddy Clearwater and other greats. Bell’s elegant and intense guitar playing and passionate vocals have made him a favorite at clubs and festivals around the world. Living Blues Magazine named Bell “Best Male Guitarist” in 2014, followed by a Blues Music Award for “Traditional Blues Male Artist” in 2015.
Sally’s continues on Saturday with Grayson Hugh & the Moon Hawks. Hugh is an acclaimed singer/ songwriter and pianist. His piano playing has been called “a veritable cyclone of soul” and his voice has been compared to Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. The band consists of Bobby Paltauf on guitar, drummer Tyger MacNeal, bassist Anthony Candullo and vocalist Polly Messer.
Hugh’s music and high energy shows have earned praise from soul, blues and roots rock music critics and musicians alike ever since he burst onto the scene in 1988 with his RCA global mega hits “Talk It Over”,
“Bring It All Back”, and “How ‘Bout Us.” Besides performing songs from his albums, he plays hits from radio and Oscar-winning films like “Thelma and Louise” and “Fried Green Tomatoes.”
Sunday, the Connecticut Blues Society Jam it is set at the Pine Loft Café from 1-5 p.m. This month’s billing is double dynamite, with special guests Carl Ricci (guitar) and Drew Blood (harp). They are joining The CTBS All Stars, River City Slim, Phil Caron and Joey Primo. Jammers are welcome; mics and amps will be provided.
On Friday, Infinity Music Hall brings in Jack Broadbent. Hailed as “The new master of the slide guitar” Broadbent has spent the past year wowing international audiences with his unique blend of virtuosic acoustic and slide guitar, and poignant folk and blues inspired vocals.
Born and raised in rural England, he grew up listening to artists like John Lee Hooker, Peter Green and Robert Johnson, to name a few. The legends of rock, blues, roots and folk influenced his distinctive songwriting, singing and performance style, which have a depth and heart that defies strict musical genres. Broadbent ‘s performances exude a warmth, humor and energy that has electrified audiences worldwide.
FTC Stage One has blues virtuoso Davy Knowles on Friday. He comes from the Isle of Man, and while he’s just 30, his career reads like that of an old veteran. From playing for the astronauts on the International Space Station, Knowles’ long list of accomplishments is mind bending.
Over at the FTC Warehouse on Tuesday is Richard Thompson in a solo show. The Los Angeles Times called him “the best electric guitarist since Hendrix,” and Rolling Stone has named him one of the “Top 100 Guitarists of All Time.”
The Manhattan Open Jam recently debuted at the Restaurant in Southington. Hosted by Joseph Adolewski and Cheryl Tracy, the jam features a house band every Thursday night.
The Blues Foundation’s mission of preserving and promoting blues around the world is easily seen in this year’s Keeping the Blues Alive Award. The honorees demonstrate just how successful the Blues Foundation has been over the past four decades. The nine individuals and organizations receiving KBAs in 2020 don’t just hail from the blues’ traditional territory of the American South, but from such far-reaching blues outposts as Denmark, Poland, and Colombia.
The KBA Awards, chosen annually by a select panel of blues professionals, salutes those who have played crucial roles in advancing the art and commerce of blues. This year’s honorees will be recognized for their achievements at the Keeping the Blues Alive
Awards brunch, taking place at the IBC.
The KBA ceremony represents just one part of the Blues Foundation’s 36th annual International Blues Challenge. The IBC Week kicks off with International Showcase performances on Beale Street, and concludes with the finals at Memphis’ Orpheum Theatre. More than 800 musicians will be in Memphis from all across the globe to battle for glory — along with prizes and bookings in the International Blues Challenge, the world’s largest and most renowned blues music competition. Showcases, jams, panels, workshops, and master classes along with the music jamming on into the wee hours after the IBC challenger performances conclude each evening.
Mark your calendar for the Connecticut Blues Society Blues Blizzard at the Hannon Hatch VFW, March 28 from 5-11 p.m
As schedules and times change, it is good practice to call the club and confirm. 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.