Rick Estrin & the Nightcats to rock the Sutter Creek Theatre this Saturday

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats — named the 2018 Band Of The Year by the Blues Music Awards — are touring in support of their latest Alligator Records release, “Groovin’ In Greaseland.”

As part of the tour, the band known for its fearless experimentation will perform at the Sutter Creek Theatre on Saturday.

“These are serious musicians out to have a hotter than hot good time. It’s tough to stay in your seat when Estrin and his musical cohorts get cooking,” the Chicago Sun-Times wrote of the band.

Rick Estrin & the Nightcats have created one of the blues’ most instantly recognizable sounds and no-holdsbarred styles. With the world-class talents of harmonica master, songwriter and vocalist Rick Estrin, guitar virtuoso Chris “Kid” Andersen, keyboard wizard Lorenzo Farrell and dynamic drummer Alex Pettersen, the band serves up sharp and original blues and gritty roadhouse rock ‘n’ roll.

With unforgettable original songs and street-smart vocals, Rick Estrin and his band have built a solid fan base. Years of worldwide touring and a series of critically acclaimed recordings has earned Estrin five Blues Music Awards, including two nods for Song Of The Year (1994 and 2018).

“Rick Estrin sings and writes songs like the brightest wiseguy in all of bluesland and blows harmonica as if he learned at the knee of Little Walter,” DownBeat Magazine wrote.

Estrin & the Nightcats deliver a high-energy show capable of bringing any audience to its feet.

Last year’s album “Groovin’ in Greaseland” features 13 original songs. From the true life wisdom of “The Blues Ain’t Going Nowhere” to the rambunctious “Hot In Here” to the humorous, semi-autobiographical “Dissed Again,” the album delivers, and the band’s live performances bring the songs to life.

Besides Estrin’s celebrated songwriting and musical skills, he and the band are among the most entertaining and colorful showmen around. Estrin’s flashing harmonica solos, quick wit and signature look and Andersen’s offthe-cuff guitar acrobatics add even more spontaneous fun to their live performances.

“I was schooled in this business to be a showman, and that’s what you get when you come to see us perform,” Estrin said. “We know how to put on a show.”