The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Blues challenge canceled, yet music goes on
This week’s column starts off with some sad news from Scott Sebastian of the Connecticut Blues Society, who writes, “It is with a heavy heart to announce that this year's Connecticut Blues Society Challenge is cancelled. I want to thank all the bands that signed up and I have reached out to all of them to let them know.”
He continued, “It was our hope to get back to normal, but this virus is just not done yet. We considered postponing, but that would not give enough time to get registered for the IBCs in Memphis. As of today, the International Blues Challenge in Memphis is going forward but our society will not be represented. I assume we will not be the only one. Bottom line, our board voted to cancel this year. The safety of all of us is more important. We look forward to 2022.” You can find updates at www.ctblues.org/
The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center brings in Studebaker John on Wednesday, and he’s making a stop at The Chicken Shack at The Carter Farm Thursday.
Studebaker John is a Chicago Blues institution. He has been blowing harp since he was seven years old. In the late 60’s John hung around Maxwell Street, soaking up all the blues scene of the day had
to offer. It was at this time that he was drawn to slide guitar wizard Hound Dog Taylor’s shows and took up guitar, modeling his playing after the Hound Dog’s energetic style.
In the 1970’s, John formed his renowned band, Studebaker John and the Hawks, named for a car still owns, with a nod toward JB Hutto and the Hawks. Studebaker John and his band have recorded nearly 20 albums. A number of John’s songs can be heard on the soundtracks of various movies over the years. His playing style and performances are exciting and steeped deep in his Chicago roots with its traditional
blues forms, energized by a modern outlook. John has emerged as a creative force with vision and foresight creating a new standard for the future of blues.
Norwich Art Center’s Blues on Broadway series rolls on when Studebaker John takes the stage at the Donald L. Oat Theater Sept. 17. This is an event so special that it’s been moved to a Friday instead of the usual second Wednesday of the month.
Chris Tofield is back in state for a visit. Thursday, he is at Sasso's Coal Fired Pizza in Torrington with Billy Billeca, Kris Jensen, and Steven Peck
Saturday, Bobby Christina's Blues Caravan with Chris Beard, Joe Beard and Duke Robillard are playing The Hygienic Art Park, with two generations of the Beard Family taking the stage.
"When you grow up in a house filled with the blues, when your father grew up on Beale Street, when music was in your DNA, then blues is who you are and what you do," said Chris Beard. He is a modern blues guitarist and singer like few others. The show opens with the Chris Leigh Band, followed by blues legends Joe Beard and Duke Robillard, and ending the evening with the Chris Beard Band.
Friday, The Stafford Palace Theater has the James Montgomery Blues Band. Dynamic and entertaining, Montgomery provides a good dose of blues along with some history and personal stories.
Dan Stevens has a few stops this week: Friday at These Guys Brewing Company, Saturday, Captain Daniel Packer Inne, Sunday, Shunock River at 4 p.m., and Wednesday, Best Video at 4:30 p.m.
Friday, Good Luck Blues Band play Walrus Alley.
Tony Ferrigno Band plays Ponza Italian Kitchen on Saturday and Blues on the Rocks is at Scotch Plains Tavern. Friday, the Camp Hazen, 100 Year Celebration has Blues on the Rocks.
Also on Saturday, Sacred
Heart University Community Theatre has Local Legends featuring Jay Stollman, Joes Feliciano plus an opening band; and the Maple Tree Café presents his Blues n Boogie with Carl Ricci & 706 Union Ave.
Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., the Sara Ashleigh Band is at the Brass Horse Café.
Wednesday, WPKN's Music on Film Series presents Rolling Stones, Ole Ole Ole at the Bijou Theatre. Olé Olé Olé! is a documentary produced by The Rolling Stones that documents their Latin America tour in 2016. Part concert film and part travelogue, it follows the Stones throughout their tour that culminated in Havana, Cuba.
Saturday at Noon the Stone Gardens Farm in Shelton has Lunch and live music. This week it is Tracy Jo and Lee-Ann Lovelace. Also on Saturday, Veteran's Park hosts the Norwalk Oyster Festival. The bands include Doug Wahlberg Band at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, The B Side is outside at 6 p.m. at Church Lane. Notch8 Bar and Grill has Shuffle Bone on Friday and Saturday Madz & the Ladz. Then, there’s Tiki Tuesday with Shawn Taylor.
Blues are busy in neighboring states too. Daryl's House has a Friday show with Roomful of Blues, a band providing a deeply rooted blend of blues, swing, rock ‘n’ roll, jump, and soul.
Then Saturday they welcome Brandon TAZ Niederauer. He blends together the influences of his many musical mentors, Niederauer’s unique sound is popping into a contemporary space that the world has yet to hear. Since making his national television debut on The Ellen DeGeneres Show at just ten years old, Brandon has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Good Morning America, and The View.
Friday, Seth Rosenbloom is at Theodores.
If you are a Grateful Dead fan, The Falcon is the place to be. Saturday, Deadgrass & Friends, a musical adventure through Jerry Garcia’s world, featuring Grammy Award Winner C Lanzbom and others.
Then Thursday, Gratefully Yours which has established itself as one of the Northeast’s premier Grateful Dead cover bands; with an all-star lineup, founded by Alex Mazur, of The Deadbeats - one of the longest running Grateful Dead cover bands. Both on The Falcon Main Stage.
The Turning Point on Friday has the Peter Karp Band. Saturday, it is the Band Band, returning again Sunday at 4 p.m.
See the Connecticut Blues Society for more gig listings: https://www.ctblues.org/ weekly-calendar Any questions or comments should be sent to Domenic Forcella at TWBlus@aol.com.