The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Blues jam is back, returns to the Pine Loft
The Connecticut Blues Society Blues Jam is back at the Pine Loft, from now until April 2022.
Held on the first Sunday of the month, the Blues Jam features the CTBS All-Stars — River City Slim, Phil Caron and Joey Primo. The house band has a different guitar star joining the band each month; December has guitar ace Mark Nomad.
Nomad was a founding member of the pioneering blues band Little Village, and has gone on to have a long and eclectic career, leading bands and performing as a riveting solo artist. Musicians are invited to bring instruments; amps, drums, keyboards and PA are provided. Singers and harmonica players should bring their own mics. The music starts at 1 p.m.
Friday, the Balkun Brothers have an album release show at Strange Brew Pub, with special guest Righteous Continental. Following in the footsteps of their delta-blues, rock and metal forefathers, brothers Steve and Nick have been crushing stages since their early teens. Known for marathon concerts that can last up to five hours, the two brothers have developed a sound that few can duplicate.
The Balkun Brothers, with Steve Balkun, on guitar,
vocals and thumb-bone bass and Nick Balkun on drums and vocals, are reinventing the term “power duo” with their heavy hitting, new-age brand of blues-influenced, psychedelic rock.
Sunday, Gary Hoey is playing at FTC StageOne. Riff-master Hoey’s fluid fingers are fun to watch. Whether he’s playing rock or blues, he is charismatic and connects with the crowd playing scorching originals and rock n roll
classics covers. His solos are reminiscent of Clapton or Stevie Ray. This will be a true energized concert on StageOne with blowout guitar solos and energetic lights.
Dan Stevens’ acoustic blues tour stops Friday at Joe's Filling Station.
Sunday, Ed Peabody, Mike Barret and Michael LaBelle perform at JD's Road house jam with Eric Tootell.
Johnny Edwards Wild Combo will be at Hill’s
Tavern & Grill from 2-6 .p.m. Saturday, bringing their blend of R&B, blues, rock and soul, for the afternoon. Musicians who want to site in are welcome; bring a guitar and amp. Keyboard players, bass players and drummers are welcome.
A couple of shows that may hold some interest for blues fans are Hot Tuna Acoustic and Electric Trio with guest David Grisman, Saturday at Capitol Theatre.
Sunday the Wall Street Theater has the Squirrel Nut Zippers.
The Black Duck every Thursday has The Wendy May Jam.
Saturday, Ol’ Moose is at the Note. After spending the last several years in Texas playing solo gigs and with the Merry J. Pranksters trio, he made his way north to Connecticut where he has settled into the music scene, doing solo shows and playing in an acoustic trio, Ol’ Moose and Friends.
Also Saturday at Rally's Sports Bar it is the Rich Badowski Blues Band, and 60 Cycle is at Lakeview.
Friday, Kinsmen Brewing has the Relentless Rock Blues Duo (Cassandra and Dave from Cassandra And The Knighthawks). Also Friday, Professor Harp is at The Stomping Ground and Shawn Taylor plays there on Thursday.
Theodores BBQ has Carl Ricci and 706 Union Ave. Friday with Tom Ferraro and Saturday Six Pack of Blues. Sunday, Carl Ricci and 706 Union Ave. (3:30 pm) are at Brass Horse Cafe.
Neal Vittullo and the Vipers, Friday at The Knickerbocker Music Center.
Friday the Popa Chubby Band is at the Falcon Main Stage. Chubby continues carrying the torch for the blues, while at the same time moving it forward. He puts on a blistering good show.
Shows on the Falcon Main Stage continue Saturday with Oz Noy Trio with Will Lee & Anton Fig. Noy...channels the likes of fusion godfather John Scofield, blues-rocker Stevie Ray Vaughan, and even the speech-pattern guitar phrasing of Zappa, someone who also knew how to play jazz that just didn’t sound like it."
Then Sunday, it is Jimmy Vivino & The Upstate Upstarts. Vivino was a consistent element as Music Director in Conan O’Brien’s late night career, since 1993. Tonight he joins Connor Kennedy, Jackson Kincheloe, Zach Djanikian, and Lee Falco, in that Hudson Valley Sound.
Christine Ohlman is at Revel 32 in Poughkeepsie, on Sunday.
Roomful of Blues, the world-renowned, hornpowered, houserocking blues band, will perform live at the Towne Crier Cafe on Saturday. The band’s latest Alligator Records release is In A Roomful Of Blues.
The Stanhope House, the Last Great American Roadhouse, and a stomping grounds for various legendary blues artists will host an Earthshare NJ Blues Benefit on Saturday. The evening will feature live performances by Tad Schaefer & The Troublemakers, The Incinerators, Lew Gatewood, and Chuck Lambert. It is sure to be a night to remember. All proceeds go to work across the state to benefit the programs and services EarthShare New Jersey’s 19 local environmental nonprofit members.
To blues lovers around the world, The Blues Foundation is most thankful for your support of the blues. During a very challenging time for all, you made a crucial difference in the lives of blues musicians and our organization. Thank you.