The blues began as earthy music created by African-Americans, who had worked the land in the fertile Delta region of Mississippi for many decades. When you’re digging into the earth to plant your roots, celebrate springtime by playing some blues in your garden or yard. You’ll be surprised by what results. And do yourself a favor by checking out the great blues music happening at our local venues.
Guy Hollerin’s Local Blues & Brews Pub in the Holiday Inn near UM’s campus, turns over their Saturday nights to you bringing in some of the finest local blues and roots acts in Southeast Michigan.
Chef Chris & the Rumpshakers deliver a gritty and raw sound from their down home urban blues roots on May 4. The big man is out front blowing harp with tales of delight and debauchery in the big city, while the Rumpshakers keep you shakin’ what you got all night long.
Motor City Josh & the Big Three turns your Saturday night into a big blues party on May 11. When Josh eases you into the blues with some funky original grooves and his natural born charm, the good times are rollin’ and rockin’ along.
Lady Sunshine & the X Band will educate and entertain you to matters of the blues and the other funk stuff on May 18. Lady Sunshine delivers a testimonial from the heart and soul of the blues. The 6-piece X Band’s led by guitarist “Slick” Rick Humesy and Pat Padilla on tenor sax setting the tempo for a dance floor full of funk ‘n fun.
The underground Mash Bar below the Blue Tractor Barbeque is a roots music scene that has been growing on the weekends.
The Flying Crowbars cover the traditional blues pocket as well as anyone. The 5-piece group led by Eric Goebel on guitar, James Cloyd on bass, Joe Labeau on saxophone, Wailin’ Dale on harp and Glenn Giordano on drums kept he motor City mojo workin’ for you on May 4.
The Chris Canas Blues Revolution delivers R&B, gospel and soul inflected blues on the 10th. Canas’s passion for music and depth of style is evident with every smokin’ guitar lick and every note he croons. Backed by Angie Cottingham on vocals and keyboards, Kevin Schoepke on bass and Mickey Coleman on drums this is one soulful groovin’ band.
George Bedard, Ann Arbor’s treasure chest of roots guitar takes his deep-rooted blues skills on the road to Callahan’s Music Hall in Auburn Hills on the 10th. Along with regulars Richard Dishman and Pat Prouty, there will be special guests from the Detroit-Ann Arbor music arena accompanying him as he cuts a live recording, a tribute to the blues, to be released in the upcoming months.
The Ark would like you to plant yourself in their club for some cool roots music this month.
Josh White Jr. returns on May 18 bringing a songbook rich in traditional folk, blues, and gospel. Josh carries on the tradition set by his legendary father, bridging the realms of performing arts and social activism. He is continually touring, performing in his down-home style and educating his audience about worthy causes. Along with his delightful demeanor and beneficence to the arts, he is a true American musical treasure.
Fly right into a rockin’ good time with Big Sandy & the Fly-rite Boys on May 22. They look as sharp as their music sounds. Their sound is 1950’s-based rock-n-roll, ala Buddy Holly and Elvis, as if it traveled through the decades picking up tasteful timely influences of rhythm and arrangement. It might be time travel, but their definitive sound runs deep and wide into the fertile ground of American roots music.
Catch local guitar hero Laith al-Saadi every Tuesday through Thursday at the Black Pearl for some great classic rock, pop, blues covers and original music.
The Tap Room In Ypsilanti hosts an open mic- jam with the Martindales every Thursday.
May is going to be a month jam-packed with blues, so get out and start jamming!
