Chris Thomas King at Blues Alley

Chris Thomas King at the 2009 Pocono Blues Festival. Photo © Ron Weinstock

Just a heads up that Chris Thomas King, a forward looking blues artist is at Blues Alley in Washington DC starting tonight, August 29. He will be there through Sunday, September 1.  Thomas' music is rooted in the deep Baton Rouge blues scene epitomized by his father the legendary Tabby Thomas, but brings a whole range of elements to his music including Jimi Hendrix, New Orleans jazz and hip hop. While he may be known for his acting (he played "Tommy Johnson" in the acclaimed movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"), he is a true blues treasure. 

Here is a video of Chris Thomas King in performance doing Baptized in Dirty Water. It is from his marvelous post-Katrina album Rise which to my mind is among the best blues albums of the past decade. My review of it is here.

Little Bit a Blues at Blues Alley

2013-0327 Little Bit a Blues at Blues Alley-3270168, a photo by NoVARon on Flickr.

Warner Williams is a Washington DC area blues treasure that many outside of Washington may not be aware with. Over the past couple decades he has performed with harmonica player Jay Summerour as Little Bit a Blues. Warner will not fly and accordingly does not travel that often although he has played the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and some other national blues and folk festivals.

Wednesday, March 27, Warner and Jay, with Eric Selby on drums, celebrated at the Washington DC night club Blues Alley, the release of their new CD Live at B.B. King's Bluesville with a marvelous set of acoustic blues that ranged beyond the already wide repertoire of songs on the CDs including Warner's take on such classic blues as Key To The Highway, Digging My Potatoes, I Feel So Good, Greyhound Blues and Good Morning Little Schoolgirl. Warner's fluid guitar was a delight as was his warm baritone and delighted the Blues Alley crowd.

Jay Summerour, Eleanor Ellis and Eric Selby at Blues Alley on March 27, 2013

Eleanor Ellis, one of the finest female acoustic blues women alive opened with a set that included songs from Memphis Minnie, Jim Jackson, Pink Anderson and Simmie Dooley and Little Hat Jones-Andy Boy. Eleanor was also backed by Jay and Eric for her set. Her renditions of Memphis Minnie tunes are better than most by the better known, but not more talented artists, on the recent Memphis Minnie tribute album Maria Muldaur put out recently. Elanor is that good and its time for her to do another CD.

It was an evening of superb acoustic blues. Warner and Little Bit Blues will be appearing at the Pennsylvania Blues Festival on July 28, 2013. here is a link to that festival, http://www.skibluemt.com/seasonal-activities/pa-blues-festival/.

Week of Indian Jazz Includes Celebrated Saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa

Rudresh Mahanthappa is one of several artists who come from the Indian Subcontinent that will be featured at Blues Alley, in Washington DC, that starts today. In a series of performances that are presented by Blues Alley in conjunction with the Embassy of India, Mahanthappa’s appearances on Thursday and Friday, January 19 and 20th with Samdhi will be a highlight of the jazz week and this series. Tonight vocalist Sachal Vasandani appears, while tomorrow guitarist Sanjay Mishra & Friends will be there. Wednesday, January 18, guitarist Rez Abassi is there with his trio. Michael West of the Washington City Paper has highlighted this performance. According to his website, Rez will also be appearing with Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Samdhi.

This writer is particularly excited to the appearance of Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Samdhi. That is also the title of his most recent recording on ACT. He is one of the most praised saxophonists to have come to some prominence in the past several years and with such other performers who have their origins in the Indian Subcontinent such as Vijay Iyer has made a significant impact on contemporary jazz.

Samdhi is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘twilight,’ but he advises that in Hinduism this word has a greater significance as representing the phase between ages, ‘the period between the destruction of one universe and the creation of the next.’ In essence it “represents transition and a reflection of the past while waiting to see what the future will bring.” He further notes some of his inspirations that go beyond Charlie Parker to include Grover Washington Jr, David Sanborn, the Brecker Brothers and the Yellow Jackets. He strives to mix passion with virtuosity and gone beyond the jazz tradition to a whole range of music including aspects of South Indian Music as well as fascinated by electronic music and hip hop with the new array of sounds and beats. The new release Samdhi, reflects his musical pursuit and to these ears represents ant intriguing and realized musical fusion of jazz and other elements.

On the recording, his alto saxophone and laptop electronics is joined by guitarist David Gilmore, bassist Rich Brown, drummer Damion Reid and “Anand” Anantha Krishnan on mridangam and kanjira. Mahanthappa’s alto playing is wonderful, with a sinewy, singing tone (reminds me of Jan Gabarek at times) and solos that mix intellect and passion. An example of his integration of electronics and his alto playing is presented on the opening Parakram #1 is a tone poem with his alto riding over his electronics. The exhilarating Killer has fire from him against the South Indian rhythms with Gilmore’s guitar contributing his own fireworks, with the interplay between these two and especially the percussion of Krishnan becomes mesmerizing. More of this interplay can be heard on Breakfastlunchanddinner.

Each of the musicians is featured on this recording. Bassist Brown has a solo Richard’s Game which segues into Playing With Stones, with tempo changes but a constant in the Mahanthappa’s playful, lyrical lead of the performance here. Gilmore;s “Rune” is followed by the afore-mentioned “Breakfastlunchanddinner.” There is a return to electronics on Parakram #2, which is a lengthier track and very intriguing with his use of hip hop grooves, loops and overdubs. Meeting of the Skins is a percussion feature providing solos for both Reid and Krishnan. The remainder of Samdhi is as fulfilling to listen to with its natural fusion of its musical elements for music that is at times entrancing and other times sensuous and high-spirited,

The delights of listening to Samhi (which I purchased) brings a definite anticipation to seeing Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Samdhi this week, although the members of Samdhi may vary from the recording. It will an an opportunity to see one of the significant new musical voices of today. For more information on the performances this week, including ordering tickets, visit, http://bluesalley.com

Here is a video of Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Samdhi in performance from October 2011.

Here is guitarist Rez Abassi in performance.

Henry Butler To Play For Marva Wright

Henry Butler 2005 NOJF 6
Originally uploaded by NoVARon

Henry Butler, shown at the 2005 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, will be performing at Washington DC's Blues Alley, the evening of Thursday, August 20. Henry will have shows at 8 and 10 PM. This show will be in part a benefit for the Queen of New Orleans Blues, Marva Wright who has been having health issues, the most recent being a severe stroke suffered on June 6. Part of the proceeds for Henry Butler will go towards Marva.

The following is a press release emailed from Kandy Collins

NEW ORLEANS PIANO LEGEND HENRY BUTLER RELOCATES TO NYC

East Coast Performances Include an August 20 Solo Performance at Washington DC's Blues Alley and a Fundraising Effort for Fellow New Orleans Blues Artist Marva Wright

Washington, D.C. -- August 12, 2009 -- After living away from New York for two decades, powerhouse performer Henry Butler once again makes Brooklyn his home and schedules appearances at prestigious East Coast venues. At Blues Alley on August 20, Butler will showcase his unique blend of New Orleans Funk, Blues and R&B that is enthralling audiences world-wide and earning him a reputation as one of the world’s most versatile and entertaining performers. He will also recognize fellow Crescent City artist and Blues Alley favorite, Marva Wright, who is recovering in New Orleans from a severe stroke suffered there on June 6. Just two days before an All-Star benefit for Marva at the iconic Tipitina’s, Butler will donate a portion of his proceeds toward her recovery efforts.

Traversing the jazz and blues worlds with great finesse, Butler has graced the stages of the Library of Congress, The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and The Apollo Theatre. He has recorded with the likes of Odetta, jazz bassist Charlie Haden and 2007 MacArthur Foundation Fellow Corey Harris. He has released ten records under the MCA, Windham Hill, Blacktop and Basin Street Labels. George Winston, who produced Butler’s most recent work,“Pianola Live,”says of him, “Henry is the pianist I have been studying the most since I first heard him in 1985…he has taken R&B piano to its pinnacle, and he is the only pianist I know who plays the deep Blues and R&B and mainstream jazz. You need to see him live to fully experience his music.”

An eight-time W.C. Handy “Best Blues Instrumentalist – Piano” award nominee, Butler knows no limitations. Although blinded by glaucoma since birth, Butler is a world class photographer who will be featured in an HBO documentary on blind photographers to be broadcast this fall. “You don’t have to be bound by anyone else’s limitations on you,” says Butler, “Where there’s a will there are ways to overcome anything.” This message is the centerpiece to the many programs Butler, who holds a Masters Degree in Vocal Music from Michigan State University, has designed for blind and visually impaired students.

Butler’s return to New York is partially motivated by the number of established facilities in the region dedicated to working with the blind and visually impaired and his desire to restart, on the East Coast, a jazz camp he began in 1994 at the Missouri State School for the Blind and last held at the University of New Orleans two weeks prior to Katrina. Butler’s Creative Music Jazz Camp for Blind and Visually Impaired Teenage Musicians gives participants ways of writing and reading music independent of any sighted assistance. “And achieving independence,” says Butler, “is the key to building confidence and self-esteem. “

There will be two shows at 8 and 10 p.m. Tickets are $25. Reservations are suggested.

Blues Alley
1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 337-4141