The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Robert Cray keeps the smooth blues alive
Legendary blues guitar virtuoso, Robert Cray, returns to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Saturday. The fivetime Grammy award winning artist and Blues Hall of Famer has blown crowds away for decades with his technical guitar solos. He continues to keep the blues alive, reaching across lines. He has a smooth blues sound that touches on every emotion. Enjoy this experience, enhanced by one of the best sounding rooms around.
Friday, the Stone Foxes make their Infinity Hall debut. This will be a night of some serious rock and roll. These guys take from hard rock and the blues, mix them together, and produce some old school high energy sounds.
On Thursday, Quinn Sullivan takes the stage. Young guitar players are often on the blues scene. Quinn Sullivan is one of those who has shown staying power. He has been a music professional for more than 75 percent of his life. He’s shared the stage with Buddy Guy and opened for B.B. King.
He has performed on concert and festivals throughout the United States including the North Atlantic Blues Festival. Sullivan has packed some extraordinary experience into his decade-long career, and that’s even more remarkable when you consider that he’s still a teen.
Friday, the Paul Nelson Band plays The Bijou Theatre. Nelson is recognized as one of today’s most talented guitarists and live performers. The hand-picked guitar protégé, bandmate and producer to legendary rock/ blues icon Johnny Winter, he is a multi-Grammy nominated artist. He has toured the world over performing and recording alongside an endless who’s who list of top artists.
Nelson received a Grammy award for his work performing on and producing Winter’s Step Back Megaforce/Sony release, winning “Best Blues Album of the Year” and the BMA “Blues Music Award” for “Best Blues/Rock Album.” He is also a recipient of the Blues Foundation’s KBA “Keeping The Blues Alive Award.”
Nelson and his music have been part of the awardwinning documentaries: “Down and Dirty” The Johnny Winter Story and “Sideman: Long Road to Glory.” Nelson’s latest project “Badass Generation,” on Sony Records, still maintains his unmistakable connection to the Blues, but it also finds the guitarist showing powerful songwriting combining his many other musical influences that his fans have come to expect, making him one of music’s most respected and influential contemporary artists.
Opening the night is the Chris Tofield. The guitar ace returns home and is playing a number of Connecticut gigs.
Sunday, the Chris Tofield band will be at Tipping Chair Tavern, not a bad Father’s Day gift. Monday, Ray & Sonia Morant Soul Tsunami Duo is there.
Father’s Day has a number of options for an entertaining day. The Mohegan Sun Wolf Den has David Foster & the Mohegan Sun All-Stars. Up at Infinity Music Hall Norfolk, it is a Father’s Day Beer & Bourbon BBQ Buffet.
FTC Stage One has Anders Osborne solo, with Jay Psaros. Osborne, an awardwinning songwriter and master guitarist, will play a special acoustic show on StageOne.
Between the potency of his richly detailed songwriting, his intensely emotional, soulful vocals and his piercing, expert guitar work, Osborne is a musical treasure. He is among the most original and visionary musicians writing and performing today. OffBeat named him the Crescent City’s Best Guitarist for the third year in a row, and the Best Songwriter for the second straight year.
On Tuesday, FTC Warehouse has Marc Broussard and Jamie McLean. Broussard, a Louisiana native has developed an ardent fanbase over the past 15 years with his extraordinary vocal ability and songwriting. He blends a variety of influences from Otis Redding-type soul and R&B to John Hiatt and Dr. John’s funk and blues.
It is said his voice is as rugged as an old truck driving through the gritty dirt of the Louisiana bayou. Broussard may sound gruff on the surface, but his music is as delicate and eloquent as any classic soul artist. “Making Music for Fairfield” takes place Thursday at FTC.
The Jeremy Baum Trio is at Black-Eyed Sally’s on Friday. Baum’s trio is rooted in the blues and funky souljazz sounds of the late 1960s, like Booker T. and the MG’s. His style also reflects current masters of the groove from the jam-band scene. Baum has been playing festivals and jazz clubs in the New England region since the release of his first album.
Saturday, Sacred Fire, A Tribute to Santana is at Sally’s.
Saturday, Vitamin B3 is at the Maple Tree Café as part of its collaboration with the Connecticut Blues Society.
Dan Stevens is playing in some different venues. Saturday at Noon, he will be at the Music and Art Festival, Lyman Allyn Museum in New London. Wednesday, he is with the Fiery Band (6:30 pm) on the Old Saybrook Town Green.
Friday at Theodore’s, it is Mike Laws Birthday Bash. Add in a Playboys Reunion and special guests all night long, mean a fun evening.
Legendary bluesman Bob Margolin and fast-rising young gun Tyler Morris made sparks recently during Blues Music Awards week in Memphis. They’ll be building on that energy when Margolin comes to New England to do a string of dates with Tyler and his band, including Scott Spray (bass), Don Culp (drums), Craig Rawding (vocals), and guest harmonica player Richard Rosenblatt.
Check the Blues Beat Schedule for new open mics and jams. They will be added to the listing next week,