The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s coming to Infinity
Friday, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is at Infinity Music Hall Hartford. It’s time to plan on a night of awesome and delightful music from the band that swings and boogies like none other. Together for over 23 years, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, famously named after an autograph by blues legend Albert Collins, has appeared in concert venues across the world, sold millions of records, and had their music appear in hundreds of movies and television shows. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy continues its decades-long mission to celebrate and bring joy to audiences around the world.
Up at Infinity Music Hall in Norfolk on Saturday, it is Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes. Long considered to be the Grandfather of “The New Jersey Sound”, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes have been recording great albums and bringing their high-energy performance to shows all over the world for almost 40 years. Bon Jovi has acknowledged them as his “reason for singing.” With a decades-long successful career, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes continue to deliver their soulsearing brand of raucous blues and R&B in each show.
FTC Stage One has a Wednesday show with Samantha Fish. She has a knack for churning out high-octane electric blues with a healthy dose of slide guitar. She has become a sought-after star on the blues festival circuit. In the past year, Fish has broadened her musical palette. She has a collection of soul covers and also released a more downhome affair that finds her exploring the sounds of country and Americana while refining her talents as a songwriter. Fish’s ability to roar through so many different American musical styles without breaking a sweat make her one of the most exciting acts on today’s roots music scene. Her career has been exciting, attracting audiences and on the upward trend.
Come down to FTC Warehouse on Friday for another one of their free outdoor events from 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy the sounds of Creamery Station at this Summer Jam for a Cause. Relax and support two great causes: The CT Challenge and World Ocean Day. There will be plenty of refreshments, as well as games and stuff for the kids.
Amy Helm will be at The Spaceland Ballroom on Sunday. Her music is personally charged and organically soulful. She has been making music for most of her life and won widespread praise as a singer, songwriter and live performer.
Blessed with a commanding, deeply expressive voice and an uncanny songwriting skill that instinctively draws upon a deep well of American musical traditions, Helm delivers. Many of her songs are rooted in first-person experience, exploring universal themes of life, love and loss on musically and emotionally originals. Joining her are The Handsome Strangers, Molly Venter, and Goodnight Moonshine.
James Armstrong, who is at Black-Eyed Sally’s Friday, had blues music in his blood from birth. His mom was a blues singer and his dad played jazz guitar. Armstrong formed his first band in the 7th grade, and by age 17 he was touring the country.
He started making waves on the local California blues circuit by his 20s, becoming the youngest member of Smokey Wilson’s band. In the 1980s, James was a founding member of the band Mama Roo and received his first recording contract.
Over the years, Armstrong has performed in many countries throughout North America, Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and the Middle East. Armstrong has shared the stage with many artists like ‘Keb Mo’, Coco Montoya, Tommy Castro, and many more.
The Incredible Amplifires are led by Harp Burner and Vocalist, Dave Robbins aka “The Kosher Kid” arrive Saturday at Sally’s. The Incredible Amplifires playing behind “The Kid” with fire, passion and energy. Ryan Newman handles the guitar with a stellar sidecrew.
Friday, Smokin' With Chris has Billy Bileca, Jim Mckeeman & Lee Ann Lovelace, while at the Maple Tree Café it is the Sarah Ashleigh Band.
Bridge Street Live is hosting Someone You Can Xray for the debut of their third album, “Hot 'N Fresh,” on Saturday. Special guests, Belle of the Fall, open the show at 8 p.m. Formed in 2012, they are a seven piece band with plenty of original music. Playing music all over Connecticut and New England for crowds of all ages and tastes, they keep the crowd jumping. Based in rock and blues, their music has a funky and fresh vibe, adding elements of country and bluegrass, world music, folk and more. With an array of different instruments and vocals, there's always something new.
Friday evening at The Bijou Theatre, see the film documentary,” Johnny Winter: Down & Dirty.” Featured in the film are: Billy Gibbons, Warren Haynes, Edgar Winter, Derek Trucks, Joe Perry, and more. After the film, stay for a Q&A with Johnny Winter's guitarist and the film's executive producer, Paul Nelson.
A couple of new ongoing events have been brought to Blues Beat’s attention. From David Stoltz comes news that he has begun solo dates at Avon Old Farms Hotel in Avon. He plays from 4 to7 p.m., solo guitar with possible vocals. This is in Seasons Restaurant.
At the 323 Club in Westport it is the Blue Wednesday Party led by Mark Natfalin and Chance Browne. It is held twice a month, first and third Wednesdays. The band is there each night but there's a different special guest for each gig. George Baker will be the special guest at the next one on June 20.
Gelderman alerted us to a Sunday Open mic at Widows starting at 9 p.m.