The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Roomful of Blues playing StageOne, Fairfield
Roomful of Blues, the worldrenowned, horn-powered, houserocking blues band, will perform at StageOne in Fairfield on Saturday. The Rhode Island-based group has been delighting audiences for more than 50 years. Often called“the best little big band in the blues,” the group has earned five Grammy Award nominations and a slew of other accolades, including seven Blues Music Awards. Twice, the prestigious DownBeat International Critics Poll selected them as Best Blues Band.
Roomful of Blues began in 1967 when a group of southern Rhode Island teenagers with a shared passion for the blues formed a straight-ahead Chicago-style electric blues band to explore the music of their heroes. They added a horn section in 1970 and released their self-titled debut album in 1977.
Friday at the Ridgefield Playhouse Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes take over. With catchy songs, a crowd-pleasing act and a rotating group of members that has included Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi and Steven Van Zandt, it’s no wonder they’ve influenced a generation of Jersey rockers.
The Bijou Theatre has Sacred Fire: Santana Tribute on Saturday. They pull out all the stops with favorite songs spanning the career of Carlos Santana. With an exceptional presentation, Sacred Fire brings a bombastic sound full of guitar, organ, percussions and vocals. This band always takes it to the next level.
Infinity Hall in Hartford and Norfolk continue with a fine cast of blues, now and in the future. Wednesday, Ana Popovic is in Norfolk. The five-time Blues Award nominee has been electrifying audiences all over the world with her balance of blistering blues riffs and delicate jazz sensibilities. She is a blues rock guitar favorite.
Popovic is on tour promoting her newest album “Like it on Top.” The new album tackles ten different feminist issues plus female empowerment across ten brand new songs. It was co-produced and co-written by 4-time GRAMMY-winner Keb’ Mo’.
Thursday in Norfolk, it is the Robert Randolph & the Family Band. Randolph grew up playing sacred steel music — basically, gospel played on pedal steel guitar, in the House of God church in Orange, NJ. Later he began taking his joyous, gospel-infused music out to clubs, backed by family members who share not only background, but blood. He will have people dancing and cheering.
Thursday at Infinity Hall Hartford is Tusk: The Ultimate Tribute to Fleetwood Mac. The five seasoned, well-respected musicians comprising TUSK have been making music together in various combinations and styles, in original outfits and in cover bands, for more than 25 years. It is only fitting that they should come together to form the Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute.
Third Saturday Blues is hosted by Vinnie's Jump and Jive and Thomas Pickel, a night of classic and contemporary blues music for social dancing pleasure. This event will be held every third Saturday of the month at Vinnie’s Jump and Jive in downtown
Middletown. The evening begins with a beginner lesson from 7:30-8 p.m. The dance begins at 8 p.m. Proof of vaccine is required, with a 30 person capacity, first come first served.
Tuesday, Reverand Horton Heat hits off at The Stafford Palace Theater, and College Street Music Hall on Wednesday has Toadies and Reverend Horton Heat.
Dan Stevens is back on the road: Friday at the Captain Daniel Packer Inne, Saturday at Glastonbury Apple Harvest Festival, Riverfront Park in the afternoon. Saturday night, Stevens joins Hugh Birdsall at Pass the Guitar at Hygienic Art in New London in a benefit for the New London Homeless Hospitality Center. On Sunday he travels to Shunock River Brewery.
The blues keeps busy with The
Red Hots at Sugar Hollow Taproom Friday and the Black Rock Social House hosting Tracy Jo & The Toads. Also Friday, Orb Mellon and Dave Robbins are at Veracious Brewing at 6::30 p.m., and Man Made Blues is at the Note Kitchen and Bar.
Saturday starts with Tony Ferrigno Band playing the Ponza Italian Kitchen and Righteous Continental at City Steam Brewery; Old Bob at Nod Hill Brewery and Six Pack of Blues is at Maple View Farm at 3 p.m
Sunday at 3 p.m., Fade to Blues plays Housatonic River Brewing. Thursday the Relentless Rock Blues Duo goes to Station House Wine Bar & Grill.
In neighboring states, Friday BBQ n Blues at Theodores' Booze, Blues, and BBQ with Carl Ricci & 706 Union Ave.
Davy Knowles has a Thursday date at Daryl's House in Pawling, NY. Roots singer-songwriter and guitarist Knowles boldly steps forward with timeless and cohesive songwriting and a lyrical guitar approach informed from soul, folk, rock, and blues.
Knowles burst onto the scene at the age of 20, garnering rave reviews, achieving two Top 5 Billboard Blues charting albums. Since then he has been solo, and released two more studio albums, which also hit the Top 5 on the Billboard Blues chart.
Saturday Orb Mellon Trio is at Great Awakening Brewing at 5:30 p.m. in Westfield, MA.
At The Knickerbocker Music Center on Friday, the blues piano and boogie woogie of the Al Copley Quintet. On Let's Dance Wednesdays, find Cherry Pie playing blues, swing, zydeco, rockabilly, and latin.
Saturday, the Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck, NY, hhas Jake Shimabukuro with his unique playing style. If you think you’ve heard what a ukulele can do, think again. Shimabukuro takes the ukulele where no one has taken it before, creating awe-inspiring music that ranges from jazz, blues and rock to bluegrass, classical and folk.
Thursday, on the Falcon Main Stage, it is the Quinn Sullivan Band. Sullivan is a gifted guitar prodigy, a blues player of virtuosity and depth.