Carnival of Soul

It is a busy week here in Connecticut. A number of national touring acts are in the state, and and talented local bands are filling up the week.

On Friday, Infinity Music Hall Norfolk has the Masters of the Telecaster. The show boasts three of the most prolific guitarists in the world: Jim Weider, GE Smith, and Duke Levine. Get ready for an entertaining of blues & roots rock & roll.

Weider did the first Telecaster show to honor Roy Buchanan, the iconic master. It was so well received that he has continued with Smith as a regular and an added guest guitarist.

The three come together to bring a broad spectrum of sound. Levine brings some country picking. Smith, with roots to SNL and the Scratch Band here in Connecticut, adds his solid guitar stylings. Weider has the blues and rock and roll experience from The Band. They all add something different.

Weider expects the audience to have some real fun with the show — they will play tunes from Roy Buchanan, Little Richard, Neil Young, Jimmy Reed, Steve Winwood, Sam Cooke and more —many songs that people will remember.

Award-winning guitarist, singer and songwriter Buddy Guy is on the way to the Garde Arts Center on Friday. At 82, the multiple GRAMMY winner continues to carrying the Chicago blues tradition. Among his many honors is the Presidential National Medal of Arts.

With all the accolades, he is still laying down the blues with gusto, both in the recording studio and on tour. Guy is one of the last of the blues legends still playing. The title of Buddy Guy’s latest album says it all: “The Blues Is Alive and Well.”

Joining Guy on Sunday at the Palace Theater Waterbury is Kenny Wayne Shepherd. The Louisiana-born guitar player and writer has sold millions of albums and put singles into the Top 10. He keeps the rich blues of the past alive, but is not afraid to move forward, adding his own modern spin to the classics.

Black-Eyed Sally’s has two shows to check out. Friday, the Northeast Blues Harmonica Showcase and Thursday, Rick Estrin & the Nightcats are all there. The showcase features four touring harmonica masters, all backed by Johnny Hoy & The Bluefish. Each of the blues harp stars will play a set, with all four on stage together for the big jam finale.

The players are Johnny Hoy, Dave Robbins, Tall Richard, and Mark Grandfield. Each has made his mark. Johnny Hoy is a band leader and sometime musical ambassador for Martha’s Vineyard. Hoy’s Band has been going strong for decades and they got to play for President Clinton a couple of times.

Dave Robbins was a side-man for Boston’s “West End Blues Band” and since has put his mark on a number of bands. Nowadays the blues harp burner and vocalist is bandleader for popular blues act, “The Amplifires”.

Superb harp man, vocalist and bandleader Tall Richard has been playing professionally since 1985. Over time, gigs have taken him and his bands from Nova Scotia to Key West and to Barbados and everywhere in between. He has performed in Bo Diddley’s band. His current band has been together for 20 years, and just released a second CD.

Mark Grandfield is a harmonica killer and all around wildman on stage. He started his musical journey during the 60s, playing in several bands and in the 80s in New York City, performing with many of the city’s stars. Grandfield takes on classics from the Great American Songbook with his huge, soul-splashed vocal ability.

They have been called wildly fun, musically fearless and bursting with bravado. They are Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, 2018’s Blues Music Award- winning Band of the Year, appearing Thursday at Sally’s. They have created one of the blues’ most instantly recognizable sounds and no-holds-barred style.

Featuring the world-class talents of harmonica master, songwriter and vocalist Rick Estrin, the Nightcats serve up sharp and incisive original blues and gritty roadhouse rock ‘n’ roll. With his wily and unforgettable original songs and his hipster, street-smart vocals, no one on the blues scene writes or sings like him. No one looks like him either — Estrin is always dressed to the nines, sporting his trademark pencil-line mustache and pompadour haircut. The band delivers a high-energy show with powerful blues, a dash of roots rock, all with an unmatched cool.

The Old Well Tavern is welcoming Bring Back the Festival For 2020 on Sunday at 1 p.m. Come out for a fantastic afternoon of live music and hanging with friends. At the same time, you can help bring a past festival back to life. The No Shoes Rhythm & Blues is reviving what was the 2 Left Feet Blues Festival, last held in 2017. Providing the entertainment is Tas Cru & the Tortured Souls. After they perform, they will also host an open jam, so bring your instruments.

Other shows of interest include Eric Gales at FTC Stage One on Friday; while over at the Acoustic Café it’s the Big Moon 10-year anniversary with the Balkun Brothers.

Sunday, The Space Ballroom has Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band on the Big Damn Blues Revolution Tour with Dom Flemons.

While he’s not blues, 41 Bridge Street Live has Ricky Nelson Remembered on Saturday. It stars Nelson’s sons, Matthew and Gunnar. Music, humor and some rock history make for a full evening.

As schedules and times change, it is good practice to call the club and confirm. Get the complete Blues Beat schedule on Thursday at the blog http://bluesbeatnews.wordpress.com/. Any questions or comments should be sent to Domenic Forcella at TWBlus@aol.com.