12th annual new england winter blues fest
Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson, Curtis Salgado, The Wicked Lo-Downs, Sonya Rae Taylor
doors: 7pm - showtime 8pm
Orchestra Front and Balcony is fully seated. Orchestra Rear is Standing (dancing) room only.
IN THE INTEREST OF EVERYONE'S SAFETY, PATRONS ATTENDING THIS SHOW ARE REQUIRIED TO PRESENT PROOF OF A NEGATIVE COVID TEST ADMINISTERED WITHIN 72 HOURS PRIOR TO THE EVENT -OR- PRESENT PROOF OF FULL VACCINATION. WE ALSO ASK THAT ALL PATRONS WEAR A MASK REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS when not actively eating or drinking. ALL STAFF ARE REQUIRED TO BE FULLY VACCINATED AND TO WEAR MASKS AT ALL TIMES.
Don’t miss some New England’s biggest Blues legends live at the 12th annual winter blues festival!
Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson
Chicago’s West Side guitar style, alternating stinging single-note leads with powerful, distorted chords, was created in the late 1950s, mostly by Otis Rush and Magic Sam. Originally developed because their small bands couldn’t afford both a lead and rhythm guitar, it grew into an important contribution to modern blues. Freddie King, Luther Allison, Jimmy Dawkins and Mighty Joe Young were the other “big name” West Side stylists. A less familiar name is Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson, who, after serving a long sideman apprenticeship, has blossomed into a strong performer in his own right.
Ironically, Luther’s leap into the worldwide blues spotlight was earned as a member of the premier South Side blues band, Muddy Waters’ group. Luther played for seven years with Muddy, touring Europe, Japan and Australia as well as across the U.S.
Luther’s story, like that of so many bluesmen, began in Mississippi. He grew up in Itta Bena, where he was born in 1939. His first musical experience was leading a church choir in nearby Greoy Rogers special, and a cousin taught him how to tune it. Read More
Curtis Salgado
Award-winning vocalist, instrumentalist and songwriter Curtis Salgado, the man NPR calls “an icon” with “a huge voice,” is revered worldwide for his ability to wring every ounce of soul out of every song he performs. Salgado is famed not only for his powerhouse live shows and ten previous albums, but also for his passionate and insightful original songs. He has been nominated three times for the Blues Music Award for Song Of The Year, winning in 2018 for Walk A Mile In My Blues from The Beautiful Lowdown. In total, he has won nine Blues Music Awards, including the B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year. DownBeat calls his songwriting skills “an impressive gift.” Billboard says Salgado’s music is “inspired and powerful.” Now, after 40 years of recording, performing, touring and songwriting, Salgado is back with Damage Control, his first full band album in four years, and it’s packed with fresh, original material.
The Wicked Lo-Downs
New England blues belter Nick David (Mr. Nick and His Dirty Tricks) has teamed up with legendary Blues guitarist Paul Size (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards , The Red Devils) along with Jeff Berg on rhythm guitar, Mike Law on bass and Nick Toscano on drums this quintet is surely to become one of the most formidable bands in New England. This will be a night of raucus, high energy blues rock that will leave you gasping for air! Nick David is a bad-ass harp player with a booming voice and a killer stage presence...don't miss this one!
Sonya Rae Taylor
Boston native, Sonya Rae is a rising star with a blend of gifts rarely found on the blues-rock and soul scene today. Her dazzling musical ability is immediately evident through her soaring vocals, scorching guitar work and savvy song-craft. She has been likened to a “fiery female combination of Warren Haynes, Bonnie Raitt and Amy Winehouse” Always backed by a masterful group of musicians including guitar phenom (husband) Ryan Taylor, she and her band are quickly becoming one of the most sought after acts on the scene today.
