The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Steve Hatch wins blues challenge finals
The Connecticut Blues Society Solo/Duo Blues Challenge concluded last week. Steve Hatch won the Finals and will be traveling to Memphis for the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in January. This is the nation’s biggest and most respected showcase for “undiscovered” blues talent.
One of Infinity Hall’s favorites, “The Subdudes” are back in Norfolk on Saturday. This is a rare state appearance; they don’t tour that often but when they do it’s a guaranteed night to remember. Soulful vocals, tight playing and lots of good vibes are the order of the evening. It is like New Orleans meets Memphis with a real band and real music.
Over the course of 25 years and ten albums, the Subdudes have quietly become one of America’s national music treasures. The New Orleans group is a living cauldron of American music, vibrant sounds that stir the soul. Not to mention some of the sharpest musicianship and ensemble playing you’ll ever hear from any five musicians.
Led by singer/guitarist Tommy Malone and accordionist, John Magnie, The Subdudes draw most of their inspiration from the sounds of their native New Orleans, blending blues, gospel, funk, and R&B with their own harmony vocals; their sound is also notable for the band’s substitution of a tambourine player, Steve Amedée, for a drummer. Tim Cook rounds out the band on bass.
Oleta Adams is in Norfolk on Sunday. She has inspired a growing legion of fans in the United States and Europe with journeys of the heart via songs that draw deeply from her roots in gospel, while crossing effortlessly into the realms of soul, R&B, urban, and popular music. Her success has been nurtured by worldwide tours and by four Grammy nominations and a seemingly bottomless well of creative energy.
Saturday, the Sisters of Slide, Rory Block and Cindy Cashdollar will be at the Activity Coffee Bar. Block has committed her life and her career to preserving the Delta blues tradition and bringing it to life for 21st century audiences around the world. A traditionalist and an innovator at the same time, she wields a fiery and haunting guitar and vocal style that redefines the boundaries of acoustic blues and folk.
Dobro, steel guitar and lap steel player Cindy Cashdollar’s career has taken some surprising twists and turns that have led her to work with many leading artists in various genres. Her unerring ability to perfectly complement a song or step out with a tasteful, imaginative sound.
Friday, the Cambridge Brew House has Mayock and Mercier. Legendary keyboard player and vocalist for Max Creek and many other bands, Mark is the Mercier part of this group. The other half is John Mayock, well known for his edgy, aggressive roots-rock music and musicianship.
Also on Friday, The Mohegan Sun Wolf Den has ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro. The first time he held a ukulele, at age four, it was an encounter that would shape his destiny. It gave the world one of the most exceptional and innovative uke players in the history of the instrument. He is an artist who has drawn comparisons to musical titans such as Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis.
For guitar fans, BlackEyed Sally’s has Neal & the Vipers and Carl Ricci & 706 Union Avenue on Saturday.
Nearby clubs just across the border in New York have some big shows this week. At Daryl’s House, The Allman Pitchell Band plays on Friday. It brings together multi-talented artists, who provide a wonderful evening of music. Every once in a while, you get a combination of singers, songwriters, musicians who, not only have recognized achievements, but combine their unique talents to present an unforgettable show. The combination of Michael Allman, eldest son of Gregg Allman and Jeff Pitchell continues to please audiences and fans.
Jeff Pitchell, well-known Connecticut singer/songwriter/guitarist, blends his guitar playing with his own soulful, superb vocals, and Allman brings his own originals and adds some Allman Brothers songs.
Wednesday, Daryl’s House brings in Lucky Peterson. He is a master of the blues guitar and the Hammond B3. He soon will be celebrating his 50th Anniversary of performing professionally. The son of James Peterson, a well known renowned blues guitarist and owner of “The Governor’s Inn,” a popular roadhouse club New York. This gave Peterson the opportunity to meet some of the most famous bluesmen of the day. With all of the incredible talent and music going through the club, he learned early in life that his true calling was music, and in particular the blues. He gave his first concert at three and has been playing ever since.
Friday, The Falcon has the Bruce Katz Band’s “Get Your Groove” show. The Turning Point brings in the Nick Moss Band w/Dennis Gruenling on Thursday.
Up in Massachusetts at Theodores on Friday is The Eric Ducoff Band. Then Saturday, Slam Allen comes to town. He always puts on a crowd pleasing show. Once you see him, you will be at his next show.