The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
‘Screaming night of blues’ coming to Maple Tree
Saturday, HashBrown returns to the Maple Tree Café with Carl Ricci & 706 Union Ave Band. Dallas Blues Man Brian “HashBrown” Calway joins the band for a screaming night of blues. HashBrown will take you on a journey with his masterful blues playing. Be prepared for a costume and beer stein holding contest. Friday, The Colbys are there.
Friday, Infinity Music Hall in Norfolk will host the youthful blues player, Quinn Sullivan. He has been a music professional for more than 75 percent of his life. He’s shared the stage with Buddy Guy and a number of other luminaries. Sullivan guest spotted with Buddy Guy when he was 8 years old. Now with his own filled with long time pros, he presents a complete show. The guitar becomes another part of Sullivan’s body. He is already being compared to the greats.
He has performed on concert and festival dates throughout the United States including the North Atlantic Blues Festival and played several editions of the Experience Hendrix Tour. Sullivan has packed some extraordinary experience into his decade-long career, and that’s even more remarkable when you consider his young age. Thursday, Cabinet plays.
Also on Friday, see the Mambo Sons at BlackEyed Sally's. They are recognized as a top original blues based rock and roll band. Led by songwriter/guitarist Tom Guerra and songwriter/vocalist/ bassist Scott Lawson Pomeroy, it is a group dedicated to their craft. After taking a few years off to focus on their solo projects, the Sons are back with longtime drummer Joe “The Cat” Lemieux and singer/guitarist Russ Waesche. Join them for a special early show at 8 p.m., as they play a mix of classic blues and rock and roll, in addition to some of their great originals.
Sunday brings a rare area appearance of Lazer Lloyd at Sally’s at 3 p.m. This American-Israeli singer, songwriter, and guitar virtuoso was born in the United States. Then a young Lloyd moved to Israel, where he played guitar for the influential Jewish rock band Reva L’Sheva. Eventually, he played with the blues rock trio Yood, then started his own solo career.
The Stafford Springs Palace Theater on Saturday has the Max Creek Halloween Show, “Down on the Farm.” After 43 years of playing music all over the country, Max Creek is still a thriving band. They are excited about their music, about the fans, and about life as a band; watching them, you know playing music with each other remains as fresh, interesting and enlivening as it’s ever been.
They have always considered themselves to be a “family band” within their own ranks and with the fans. Every show is a reunion of sorts, with the music as a binding force. So as a family come on in, pull up a chair, join them for some music and dance.
Other Halloween events include a number of blues players taking the stage. The Spooktaculor Chili Festival in Simsbury on Saturday will include music by Jake Kulak.
Saturday, The Steve Polezonis Trio will play the St. Jean Baptiste Society in New Britain for a Halloween Party. You are encouraged to come in costume. On Saturday, Eight To the Bar is hosting a Halloween Party in Casa Mia at the Hawthorne.
On Friday, the Acoustic Café has Creamery Station for a Halloween Bash. The Fez’s Halloween Bash with Free Flow is Friday; Saturday, Hungry Skinny / Charlie Happy Life in Stamford.
Saturday, Peaches Southern Pub & Juke Joint is holding a Halloween party, and Otis and the Hurricanes are playing with a “Fallen Rock Star” theme.
Café 9 on Friday has BOO a benefit party for the ACLU. Not blues, but an interesting cause. Thursday, Jj Thames and Black Snake Boots perform. Jj Thames is a blues and soul force of nature. Connecticut Blues Challenge finalist Black Snake Boots will open the show at 8:30 p.m.
George Lesiw will be part of a group of musicians at The Outer Space on Sunday, playing the music of John Abercrombie. Lesiw brings his gritty fire of blues with true improvisational essence of jazz, and the daring electricity of rock-fusion to his musical journey.
Ann Klein is at The Bee and Thistle Inn on Wednesday from 6 to 8 pm. She is a musician who writes songs and plays guitar, mandolin, and a few other things with strings. She’s toured all over the world as a player for other folks and as a singer/songwriter. She’s written music for documentaries and have had music used on television shows worldwide. If you saw Bad news Barnes recently, you got a chance to see her in action.
The Cheryl Tracy Acoustic Happy Hour is off and running at the First & Last Tavern in Middletown on Thursday & Friday.
Mark your calendar for Front Row rock’n all night long with some smoke’n hot blues & kick’n rock and roll at Strykers’ Café next weekend. Join the fun and bring a few non perishables for Stryker's holiday food drive.