With 5 Grammy Awards, 15 nominations, millions of record sales worldwide, and thousands of sold out performances, rock blues icon Robert Cray is considered “one of the greatest guitarists of his generation.” Rolling Stone Magazine credits Cray with reinventing the blues with his “distinct razor sharp guitar playing” that “introduced a new generation of mainstream rock fans to the language and form of the blues.” Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2011 at the age of 57, he is one of the youngest living legends to receive the prestigious honor. And while he can look back over an astonishing four-decade career punctuated by his trademark sound and distinct playing style, Robert Cray is busy moving forward with his current release and seventeenth studio album In My Soul, release date April 1.
Over thirty-five years after the release of his debut album, John Hiatt remains one of America’s most respected and influential singer-songwriters. As the Los Angeles Times once wrote, “(Hiatt) writes the funniest sad songs – and the saddest funny songs – of just about anybody alive.” He earned a Grammy nomination for his album Crossing Muddy Waters and composed the title track from B.B. King and Eric Clapton Grammy-winning album Riding With The King. In 2007, Hiatt was honored with his own star on Nashville’s Walk of Fame. In the last few years, Hiatt has released Same Old Man, The Open Road, Dirty Jeans & Mudslide Hymns and most recently Mystic Pinball and Here to Stay all to critical acclaim. Hiatt will be in town in support of his upcoming album Terms of My Surrender, out July 15th.
James Carter is a powerhouse musician and one of the most admired saxophonists of his generation, garnering plaudits for his role in helping to propel jazz full tilt into the future over the past twenty-five years. The organ combo reigned for several decades as jazz’s meat-and-potatoes mainstay for blues drenched blowing. As one of jazz’s most sophisticated improvisers, the organ trio is elevated by James’ virtuosic saxophone chops to a rarefied realm defined by delectable soul, a gourmet repertoire, and consistently inspired group interplay.