The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
A busy holiday weekend includes great music
The holiday weekend is busy. Get out and celebrate with the blues in red, white and blue.
41 Bridge Street continues to present shows with a punch. Friday it is Jeff Pitchell & Texas Flood. Pitchell has been offering Connecticut fans stellar performances for years and never disappoints. The state now shares him nationally as an acclaimed, singer/songwriter and guitarist. Pitchell achieved national recognition when his CD, “Heavy Hitter” reached #7 on the Billboard Blues Charts and was featured on radio stations throughout the country. He has been voted tops in a number of “Best” listings in Connecticut and New England. The band has headlined at a number of major clubs and venues.
Over the course of his career, Pitchell has performed and recorded with many prominent musicians. Another of his projects is his “Legends Tour.” He’s sure to provide an audience- pleasing evening each time he steps on stage.
The Tipping Chair Tavern has a double header on Saturday. The Michael Louis Band with New York City guitarist Michael Louis goes on at 5 p.m. He is followed by Jeff Pitchell & Texas Flood at 9 p.m.
On Saturday, Kiss the Sky, the Definitive Jimi Hendrix Tribute will be at Infinity Music Hall in Hartford. Considered the most authentic tribute to Hendrix, this show brings out all of the hits, the wardrobes, and much, much more. When you are a musical icon, that provided electrifying performances and wrote classic hit songs. People enjoy the music, often wanting more and more. Jimi Hendrix passed away too soon. In that time he was considered one the greatest guitarist of all-time. Hendrix carved an immortal memory into modern music.
Speaking of icons: Al Anderson, a name that brings out the early growth of Connecticut music, is in the state. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center has Big Al Anderson & The Floor Models on Thursday. Anderson takes the stage at the Kate with his band of renegades. Hear that name, and the Wild Weeds and/or NRBQ immediately pops into the minds of most music fans. Joining him on stage is fourtime Emmy winning composer and Shinolas’ guitarist Jim Chapdelaine as well as a few more musically inclined friends to round out the band.
The Balkun Brothers will be at Dunkin’ Donuts Park on Friday. Home to the Hartford Yardgoats, it is only a natural, as the Brothers do a very dynamic “Yardgoat Boogie.”
Community events and concerts are growing as the season moves on. Many now have a blues mix to them.
The third annual Redding Rock ‘n Roots Revival will have JD Seem & Friends on Saturday from 5 to 6 p.m. Seem is returning to the annual revival at Lonetown Farm (Redding) for an acoustic set, with Christopher Teal Davis on Dobro and Andy Powell on guitar and vocals. This is a great community event with live music from noon into the evening and a fireworks show at dusk.
Wednesday, at Wallingford Town Hall it is the Twilight Tunes Concerts. The annual free concert series welcomes The Mighty Soul Drivers to kick off this year’s fun. The Town Hall is located in the center of Wallingford at 45 South Main St.
Wednesday has the Woodbury Concert Series at Hollow Park with Blues Alley. This is the first show of the 2017 season and while enjoying some the blues and the kids have the option to visit the nearby playground.
Also on Wednesday, the Litchfield Summer Concert Series brings in Eran Troy Danner from 7 to 9 p.m. In Kent, it is the Connecticut Summer Concert Series featuring The Regulators on Thursday.
Elsewhere in the state, Black-Eyed Sally’s has Liviu Pop & Friends on Friday and Saturday it is Blue Devil Bluez. Bill’s Seafood’s Saturday band is the Shiny Lapel Trio. On July 4, Johnny & The East Coast Rockers will help the celebration.
Friday is busy with Comstock Station at Strykers Café. The Tuscany Grill has the Steve Polezonis Trio. At Cambridge Brew House, it’s The Coffee Grinders.
Dan Stevens has a busy week starting with Lyme Farmers’ Market at Ashlawn Farm, Saturday at 10 am. From there, it is over to the Olde Mistick Village Gazebo for a 2 p.m. show. Stevens ends the day at Canal Restaurant & Bar in Worcester.
Sunday, Stevens is at “Rock The Dock” at 6 p.m. for a MusicNow Showcase at Black Hall Outfitters. Wednesday, he is “On the Patio” with the Merry Men.
Get ready for an Independence Day Blues Blast & BBQ at Cafe Nine. Monday, George Baker Band and Kevin St. James Jazz Trio will provide the heat at 7 p.m.
Join them for an evening of blues and jazz, while celebrating another year of good living in the USA. They will be firing up the grill and putting out a complimentary summer spread.
This year is the 5th Annual Rob Combs Sr. Memorial Picnic and Party on Sunday in Stafford Springs. Friends get together in a party to remember his influence on their lives. EasyBaby will be playing. People interested in attending can check the Facebook page for more information.
North of the border on Friday, Friends of Forest Park are having a music blowout at Theodores. The Kosher Kid & The Amplifires will be joined by Johnny Marino and Frankie Manzi.
Also Friday, Tommy Whalen & The Ragged Edge take the stage in The Summer Concert Series at Holyoke’s Elks Lodge 902.
Tuesday, The Rich Badowski Trio is playing a Fourth of July Party on the deck from 4 to 7 p.m. at Crabby Joes Bar and Grill in Southwick.
Don’t forget the blues fests coming in August — Stafford Springs and 2 Left Feet.