The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Concerts, shows finally coming back
The steady march to getting back to normal continues. Organizers of the concerts and events that were called off are preparing for this year. Musicians have kept busy with a variety of projects, and more songs and CDs are being produced.
On Saturday, Sarah’s Wine Bar rings in Bob Curiano on acoustic guitar.
Recently the Blues Foundation put on a virtual concert to benefit the Hart Fund. Such luminaries as Keb’Mo’, George Thorogood, Bobby Rush took part. Chris Barnes played a big part in the concert produced by Dr. Janice Johnston and Dr. Kathy Bolmer. Barnes wanted us to know that the concert is still available on line at https://www.facebook.com/TheBluesFoundation/videos/152186453288593/
From FTC: The state of Connecticut just announced that it will ease some COVID-19 restrictions on performance venues. A key part of its reopening plan has always been working directly with state and local teams on maintaining strict compliance to the most current guidelines in place. That has not changed. With six-foot distancing guidelines still in place, they will be able to add more seats and still follow the appropriate safety standards. FTC will continue to move forward with the safety of the community as their guiding light and continue to value the trust and loyalty its patrons place in them.
Kal David writes that he and Lauri Bono and were honored to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award from the CV Music Awards (Coachella Valley Weekly) here in their home community.
David also announced his first show in a year. No tour dates yet, but he’ll be playing with The Kal David Trio on Thursdays at Oscar’s in Palm Springs.
Also while most of us are staying home to help combat the virus, he realizes that many of you have a lot of time on your hands, and learning to play guitar better will keep your mind busy in a very positive way. For a limited time he is offering his Master Class at a reduced rate and will be available to answer any questions or give guidance by email, one on one. Check kaldavid.com for more information.
As Black History month closes Jus’ Blues is proud to preserve Blues heritage through cultural arts by nurturing the soul of the Blues with historical Blues education programming. They honor the contributions by giving recognition to some of America’s finest African-American Blues & Soul music talents who are often left out of the more popular mainstream media and awards shows. Go to: https://www.flipsnack.com/allenjohnston/black-history-month-2021/full-view for their magazine.
Veronica Lewis, a 17year-old blues piano player and singer/songwriter, has released her debut blues album. Lewis, winner of Blues Artist of the Year 2020, Boston Music Awards, is an exciting, emerging talent in the blues & roots world.
She’s a seasoned pro at 17, rocking the piano and electrifying audiences with music that’s exciting and energetic, yet rhythmically complex and challenging. A tight, straight-ahead trio of piano, drums, and sax delivers a stunningly “fullon” sound, as she belts out a message made to heal the soul. This Indie-American piano player, singer, and songwriter puts a modern spin on the Roots of American Music.
Paul Benjamin of the North Atlantic Blues Festival writes, “I had the honor of viewing the virtual screening of Ted Reed ‘s movie ‘The Blues Trail Revisited.’ If you are a blues fan that has always wanted to go to Mississippi or have been to Mississippi, this is a must see. It is Ted’s story that started 50 years ago but it is so much more. It is educational and the history is amazing. The memories that this film brought back were outstanding and made me want to go back and discover some of the places that I missed. The story is history that every Blues fan should see. This movie will also make anyone that is not into the Blues or Mississippi change their mind. A thank you to Ted for showing and sharing his passion.”
Christine Ohlman has calls it an honor to be part of the upcoming James Cotton documentary bio “And They All Stood Up,” in post-production.
December 2018 found a group at the Narrows Center for The Arts filming two days and nights of reminiscences, acoustic performances and a way-sold-out full-tilt concert, all helmed by James Montgomery. Other artists filmed for the documentary during the two-day shoot: Curtis Salgado, Kenny Neal, Cheryl Arena, D.A. Foster, Bob Margolin, Jerry Portnoy, Annie Raines and Paul Rishell, and more.