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.