Blues

Meticulously crafting notes as if each one were a singular work of art, Ronnie takes it to a whisper and then, lick by phrase by glorious riff, lifts the band and the audience until every heart is pounding, every truth revealed. Pure and convincing electric blues played by someone who knows. www.ronnieearl.com

"I feel the respect and affection for him that a father feels for his son. He is one of the most serious blues guitarists you can find today." --B.B. King

"The hottest, most solid and wonderfully entertaining band around." --The San Francisco Examiner

“The best little big band in New England” got its start when Duke Robillard, and later Ronnie Earl, fronted a horn heavy band that played tough, no-holds-barred Chicago blues. Now with over 40 years of experience, a few W.C. Handy awards, several Grammy nominations and countless gigs under their belt, Roomful of Blues continues to prove they deserve their reputation as America’s Best Blues Band. www.roomful.com

2nd Show 10:00pm

Winner of Four 2010 Blues Music Awards!

"The Boston Soul Revue presents: 'From Memphis to Motown' - a musical history of Soul Music in America" The evening will feature music from legendary figures starting from the era of Louis Jordan through the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's, with songs made famous by such artists as Little Richard, Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, Aretha, Otis Redding, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Kool and the Gang, Donna Summer Michael Jackson, etc etc. www.bostonsoulrevue.com/

He’s got some Blind Willie McTell and some Fats Waller, some Buddy Guy and some Taj Mahal. He’s got some Zora Neale Hurston and some Garrison Keillor. He’s a musician, composer, actor, director and writer. But most importantly—Guy Davis is a bluesman. The blues permeate every corner of Davis’ creativity. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to reviving the traditions of acoustic blues and bringing them to as many ears as possible through the material of the great blues masters, African American stories, and his own original songs, stories and performance pieces. www.guydavis.com

A night of blues harmonica with a summit of the best players in the area, put together by none other than former Blues Mafia frontman, "Mr. Nick" David. The last time we did this, we blew the doors off the place! Always a superlative, steel cage match of Blues Harp. This show will feature special guests including Sugar Ray Norcia, Jerry Portnoy, the mega talent of the lovely Ms Annie Raines, and of course, Mr. Nick himself. http://www.myspace.com/mrnicksbluesmafia

Toni Lynn Washington does herself proud with another sterling effort, this time co produced by Duke Robillard. He and Bruce Bears (Washington's pianist and music director) bring out enough soulful style to render comparisons to one of Washington's idols, Ruth Brown. Washington shows great range, moving from the piquant jazz of the Little Jimmy Scott-identified ''Angel Eyes'' to the steamy boogie-woogie of ''It's Been a Long Time (Been So Long),'' with Bears kicking it to life on the ivories. The dizzying range feels seamless, though, whether it's a sweet cover of ''Willow Weep for Me'' (learned from a Nina Simone record) or the more modern swamp-rock of the Cate Brothers' ''Are You Happy Now?'' or the funky rock of ''Shake Me,'' penned for her by Jon Pousette-Dart, former leader of Boston's Pousette-Dart Band. http://www.myspace.com/thetonilynnwashingtonband