Carnival of Soul

Valentine’s Day starts the weekend, and blues lovers have a lot of shows to choose from. Besides the special shows, a number of acts are traveling through the region.

Friday, Black-Eyed Sally’s brings in a Valentine’s Day Celebration with Latanya Farrell. Saturday, John Nemeth comes to Sally’s. Németh is an American electric blues and soul artist; a singer, harmonica player and songwriter. He has received two Blues Music Awards for Soul Blues Male Artist in 2014 and Soul Blues Album in 2015. Since 2002, Nemeth has recorded nine solo albums. He has also backed Junior Watson, Anson Funderburgh and Elvin Bishop. As a vocalist, his soulfulness reaches out into the audience.

Németh has also developed into a top-notch blues harmonica player. He has been nominated for multiple Blues Music Award. John Németh should be on any list of young artists that have helped revitalize soul and R&B styles. If you miss Nemeth at Sally’s, you can head to Daryl’s House on Wednesday where Nemeth plus The Roadhouse Roosters are playing.

Friday, The Weight Band, featuring members of The Band and The Levon Helm Band, will be at Infinity Music Hall Hartford. Performing their most recent album, “World Gone Mad,” as well as classic songs of The Band, The Weight Band is led by Jim Weider, a 15-year former member of The Band and the Levon Helm Band. The Weight Band originated in 2013 inside the famed Woodstock barn of Levon Helm. Weider was inspired by Helm to carry on the musical legacy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group

Years of touring have seen The Weight Band revive “The Woodstock Sound,” keeping the spirit of Americana/Roots Rock alive for audiences of all ages. They continue to keep the sound vibrant by releasing new music, evidenced by the album World Gone Mad in 2018. Their live set features Weight Band songs from the album as well as fan favorites from The Band’s treasured catalog, including “Up On Cripple Creek,” “The Weight,” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.”

Opening for The Weight Band is Kerri Powers, an American blues and roots singer-songwriter.

Thursday, Jake Shimabukuro is going to be at Infinity Music Hall Hartford. He takes the ukulele to places no one has gone before, performing awe inspiring music that ranges from jazz, blues, and rock to bluegrass, classical, and folk. With only four strings, his mission is to connect and inspire people. Whether one on one or in front of an audience of thousands, Jake shares a deep emotional connection with the listener that is open, magical and transcendent.

Often referred to as the Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Lee and Michael Jordan of his craft, Shimabukuro delivers performances around the world with an out-of-the-box blend of stunning virtuosity, deep musicality and a natural entertainer’s flair. Shimabukuro takes the ukulele to places no one has gone before, performing awe inspiring music that ranges from jazz, blues, and rock to bluegrass, classical, and folk.

Popa Chubby is putting together a very special Valentine’s Day celebration at The Falcon on Friday. Come for the show and stay for the wedding vows as Ted Horowitz (a.k.a. Popa Chubby) and Mary Beth Stolz say I do. You can also catch the newly wed as Popa Chubby takes the stage at Infinity Music Hall Norfolk on Sunday.

On Friday, BRYAC has Otis and the Hurricanes with a Valentine’s Day Celebration New Orleans style. Also Friday, Cambridge House Brew Pub has Liviu Pop & Friends, Valentine’s Night party.

For Valentine’s Day, the Tipping Chair Tavern on Friday, Jeff Pitchell & Texas Flood for Valentine’s Day Blues. Then Thursday, The Flying Monkey has “An Evening with Jeff Pitchell.”

Valentine’s Evening with Rich Campbell is set for The Bayou Restaurant, Friday.

Some other show include Sal Iacobucci and Dreaming The Blues Saturday, 6 pm, at The Hungry Tiger. Maple Tree Café continues its collaboration with Connecticut Blues Society Saturday presenting The Whisky Rebels.

The Capitol Theatre has The Thrill Is Gone: A Tribute To B.B. King on Sunday and Monday. The D Smith Blues Band is at the Brass Horse Café, Sunday for a 3 pm show.

The WARM Center and Christ Episcopal Church in Westerly, RI will hold the third annual Pass the Guitar concert featuring 20 musicians and one guitar. Performers will include Dan Stevens, Russell Partridge, Hugh Birdsall, Braiden Sunshine and Marc Douglas Berardo, with a special appearance by RiverFlow.

Guitarist/artist Michael St George has started a new job as music director for Chris “Bad News” Barnes.

On Sunday, catch Bob Christina & The Juke Joint at CC O’Brien’s. H will have a special guest each, this week it is Toni Lynn Washington. The show starts at 2 p.m.

The Blues Foundation has concluded the International Blues Challenge and now move to the Blues Music Awards. This event brings together blues performers, industry representatives, and fans from all over the world to celebrate the best in Blues recordings and performances from the previous year. The BMAs are generally recognized as the highest honor given to blues musicians and are awarded by vote of Blues Foundation members.

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.