The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Warm weather, live music and fun for all
The blues calendar is beginning to fill, and more and more artists are coming out of hiding with outdoor concerts.
While we slowly approach old times, things will remain different, but this year’s festival season, if it goes off as planned promises a great summertime season.
As people are anxious for more blues, this week’s column will list the information that has come across our desk.
On Friday, Cheryl Tracy is at Relish 670 in Middletown.
Live music returns Saturday to Black-Eyed Sally's, with JP Soars and the Red Hots. More Saturday shows include Six Pack of Blues at Sun Valley, and Cassandra And The Knighthawks at Milford Sports Pub & Grill.
The Bone Dry Duo plays from 6-9 p.m. on the patio at the Note Kitchen on Saturday. Rory's in Darien has Ol' Moose and Friends at 4 p.m. Also on Saturday, the Ridgefield Playhouse has John Scofield for two shows.
Sunday, The Sawtelles will play the Best Video Film & Cultural Center deck. This show was rescheduled because of the weather. Also rescheduled is the Shawn Taylor show
has also been rescheduled for Wednesday.
Some regular weekly shows includ Blues Music Sundays with David Stoltz & Co. at 5 p.m. at The Flying Monkey Grill & Bar, and Ramblin' Dan Stevens Pickin' Party continues Tuesday nights at 6 p.m., at Nightingale's Café.
Crystal Bees is reopening after Memorial Day, more details coming soon
The Tipping Chair, a venue that brings in plenty of blues, has Timmy Maia to kick off its outdoor series on Saturday.
The Wood-n-Tap Live Music Series in Newington started April 18. Stop by and say hello from 4 to
7pm.
Our neighboring states are bringing in the blues as well. Friday, Anthony Geraci and the Boston Blues All-Stars with Special Guest Erika Van Pelt are live at Chan's. Geraci has Instrumentalist Piano and Band of the Year Nominations from the Blues Foundation.
Saturday, you can hear free music while you dine the Dan Brother Trio at The Towne Crier Cafe. Brother Dave and The 3rd Rail Bar and Grille in Bellmore, New York on Saturday.
Players are ready to get out there for a jam session, and fans can enjoy some
great musician mixes. Check your favorite spot for times.
The Black Eyed & Blues Fest is back. The Connecticut Blues Society is partnering with Black-Eyed Sally's Southern Kitchen & Bar to bring you two days of top-notch blues, July 31 and Aug. 1 in Hartford's Bushnell Park. And of course, there will be great Southern-style food and drink from Sally's. This year's fest will have a decidedly local flavor with top blues acts from around Southern New England. Lineup and other details on the way. And as always, there’s no charge to get in.
Nashville gospel giants
The McCrary Sisters return with a new single, “Amazing Grace”, April 30. The McCrary Sisters sing a unique style of gospel; influenced by classic soul, Americana, blues and R&B. They bring an indescribable joy to singing. Dynamic, powerful and thrilling are just a few words to describe their performances.
The 2021 Blues Blast Music Awards are coming. They are working on the details. Eligible recordings for the 14th Annual Blues Blast Awards are albums released from June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021. Complete details on how to submit your music to the Blues Blast Music Awards nominators coming soon. For the latest information on the Blues Blast Music Awards visit www.bluesblastmagazine. com/2021-blues-blast-music -awards/
Blues guitarist Tab Benoit embarks on a yearlong National tour, Benoit was selected a "30 Best Blues Guitarist In The World Today" by Guitar World in 2020 and also co-authored recently-released book, Blues Therapy, about the blues and mental illness.
Benoit, who's always been known for his environmental activism, performed two nights in his hometown of Houma at the 16th Annual Voice of the Wetlands Festival. He also appears prominently in the IMax motion picture Hurricane on the Bayou, a documentary of Hurricane Katrina's effects and a call to protect and restore the Wetlands, and produced a CD to help restore that state's Coastal Wetlands. Benoit was inducted into the Louisiana Folklife Center Hall of Master Folk Artists in the Spring of 2020.
Blues Beat was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Paul Oscher. A former member of the Muddy Waters Band, he recently died from COVID-19. Oscher received 2 Handy BMA Awards and a Grammy nomination. He was not only a harmonica player but could channel the guitar sound of Waters, along with the piano of Otis Spann. As an 18-year-old he shared Waters’ basement with Spahn.
Blues Beat served on the Board of the Blues Foundation with Oscher. He added to my appreciation of the blues and the history he was a part of. His spirit will livein the many fans he garnered and the many he entertained.