Celebrate Memorial Day with great music

Some extra efforts going into to this week as we celebrate Memorial Day. Friday, the Robert Cray Band comes to Garde Arts Center. Not much needs to be said about Cray. He has been a growing icon in the music world. Always in demand he provides a smooth evening of entertainment. From a part in the movie Animal House, to demanding the big stages worldwide, Cray continues to impress.

Thursday, John Mayall will be at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. Often referred to as “The Godfather of British Blues,” Mayall has an impressive musical career that spans over 50 years. The English blues singer, pianist, harmonica player, guitarist, and songwriter founded the band, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, in the 1960s. The band has a list of members that includes many celebrated blues and blues rock guitarists, such as Eric Clapton, Walter Trout, and Coco Montoya.

Mayall made his permanent move from England to Los Angeles in 1968 and began forming bands with American musicians. Throughout the next three decades, Mayall became further revered for his innovations. His popularity continued with a succession of dynamic albums including the Grammynominated “Wake Up Call” that featured guest artists Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples, Albert Collins and Mick Taylor.

In 2008 he permanently retired the Bluesbreakers name and started a new era of touring with new band members. In August 2016 there was another big shift when thunderstorms prevented Rocky Athas from attending a festival, compelling Mayall to perform as a trio that night. The sound they came up with lent an amazing new slant to his music and he made the decision to permanently move to the trio format. The road continues.

Carolyn Wonderland appears at 41 Bridge Street Live on Friday. Known as a musical force equipped with the soulful vocals of Janis and the guitar slinging skills of Stevie Ray, Wonderland reaches into the depths of the Texas blues tradition with the wit of a poet. She hits the stage with unmatched presence, a growing legend in today’s time. Along with the guitar and the multitude of other instruments she learned to play, trumpet, accordion, piano, mandolin, lap steel, Wonderland’s ability to whistle remains most unusual. Whistling is a uniquely vocal art seldom invoked in modern music, yet it’s among the most spectacular talents the human voice possesses.

Wonderland absorbed the influences of Houston around her. Texas proved to be as credible and fertile a proving ground for blues. In the early 1990s, Wonderland & the Imperial Monkeys were invited to Antone’s in Austin. There, they were treated like royalty with the singer as the queen of hearts.

Living in Austin renewed Wonderland’s focus on her multiple talents, underlining luxurious vocals with fine guitar work. Her music has played in television series such as Time of Your Life and Homicide.

Saturday, Wise Old Moon with SixFoxWhiskey will be at 41 Bridge Street Live.

Saturday, the University of St. Joseph and BlackEyed Sally’s presents The Legends Live On, a special show at Hoffman Auditorium on the campus of the University of St. Joseph. This award-winning show features music tied together by the bloodlines of music legends including: Michael Allman (son of Greg Allman), Claudette King (daughter of BB King) Sheila Raye Charles (daughter of Ray Charles) and Jeff Pitchell (voted Best Blues Band in New England).

This is the real deal: Infinity Music Hall Hartford has Cocker Rocks on Saturday. Joe Cocker’s band has come together to keep Cocker’s legacy alive. Hearing these guys play the anthology of hits is as close to a time machine that you will ever get. Cocker veterans and Shaboo All-Star regulars Cliff Goodwin and Mitch Chakour will be playing.

Infinity Hall Norfolk is hosting a Memorial Day BBQ at the Bistro. Join for the unofficial start of summer with their annual BBQ buffet. Chef Lisa always has memorable spread of all your summer dishes.

Ana Popovic has two dates in the state: Mohegan Sun Wolf Den on Sunday and FTC Stage One, Wednesday.

Saturday at The Ballroom of The Outer Space is a Bands, Beer & BBQ Festival & Flea Market. There will be music on three stages from 2 p.m. to Midnight. More than 20 bands will take part, including Shawn Taylor & The Wandering Roots. Friday, Cobalt Rhythm Kings with George Lesiw will be at The Spaceland Ballroom.

A spot that has been gaining in the blues world is the Firefly Hollow Brewery in Bristol. On Sunday, The Coffee Grinders will appear from 2 to 4 p.m. The choices may surprise you.

Smokin’ With Chris has its night with a touch of blues on Thursday. This week, it is Chris D’Amato.

The Stomping Ground has a full week, with Friday showcasing the Peter Parcek Band, Saturday, Professor Harp, Sunday, Bruce Gregori, and on Wednesday, The Balkun Brothers.

Saturday, Black-Eyed Sally’s has Grayson Hugh & the Moon Hawks.

Friday, Mark Nomad Band plays the Maple Tree Café with Easy Baby on Saturday.

Carl Ricci & 706 Union Ave will be at The Brass Horse Café on Sunday and Cambridge Brew House has a Friday show featuring the Rich Badowski Blues Band and Saturday, it is Bruce Gregori.

Get the complete Blues Beat schedule on Thursday at the blog http:// bluesbeatnews.wordpress. com/. Any questions or comments should be sent to Domenic Forcella at TWBlus@aol.com.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Carolyn Wonderland appears at 41 Bridge Street Live on Friday.