The Ministers of Soul Hoppie Vaughan leads The Ministers of Soul through some great tunes. Original tunes + Al Green, Bill Withers, Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield & Much Much More!! You will thoroughly enjoy this show - Guaranteed!!!
Lipbone Redding
Thursday 05/23/2013
Inventive singer/songwriter/ guitarist / voice-instrumentalist and former subway musician, Lipbone Redding revs up the party and creates original songs that effervesce with New Orleans swing, Memphis grooves and New York City style. Known for his ability to use his vocal to sound exactly like a trombone, it’s hard to tell the difference -- unless you witness the phenomenon live. Lipbone and his two-man orchestra make for a show greased with uncanny riffs of vocal trumpeting, booming mouth percussion, hilarious side moments and esoteric lyrics.
Bob Margolin
Friday 05/24/2013
The legendary "Steady Rollin Bob Margolin" brings his Chicago Blues style into Blue 5! Bob has spent his entire career with the great blues artists, including sharing the stage or opening for artists such as Muddy Waters, BB King, Dr. John, Johnny Winter, Taj Mahal, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Allman Brothers, Pinetop Perkins, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Little Feat and George Thorogood. Bob won a Blues Music Award for Guitar in 2005 & 2008 and also writes for Blues Revue Magazine.
In August 2012, Daniel “Boscoe” France took top honors at Guitar Center's annual Battle of the Blues competition, outplaying more than 4,000 guitarists. The win earned France international attention in an article published in Guitar World, a studio session with Grammy-winning producer Pete Anderson and endorsements with top music manufacturers, including Gibson Guitars, Eganter Amplification, Ernie Ball, Roland and Shure Microphones, as well as a cash prize.
France founded his current band in 2011, though he’s been in the music scene since the ripe old age of 4. He was given his first guitar at age 3 and it seems the blues has taken him on a lifelong experience ever since. France is backed by drummer “Smilin’” Jimmy Cummings and by John “ best hair ever” Gillespie on bass. All three musicians bring the blues to life in every show they produce, and you won’t EVER see the same show twice.
With a catalogue of more than 100 tunes and the ability these cats have to feed off one another, it is entirely possible you will catch a full Hendrix set, if it happens to be, let’s say, Jimi’s birthday. Or you may get to ride along on a seven-minute exploration through time, picking up on some Robert Johnson, Allman Brothers and a little Willie Dixon.
France successfully marries his straight-up slide guitar skills with arrangements heavy in blues, always including an avant-garde performance where he mesmerizes his audience with an unconventional, guitar-playing fantasy.
Ministers of Soul
Wednesday 05/29/2013
The Ministers of Soul Hoppie Vaughan leads The Ministers of Soul through some great tunes. Original tunes + Al Green, Bill Withers, Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield & Much Much More!! You will thoroughly enjoy this show - Guaranteed!!!
Chickenwings & Gravy
Thursday 05/30/2013
Chickenwings & Gravy plays original and classic Chicago Blues in the tradition of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Slim Harpo. The duo features Bill Smith on guitar and vocals and Rich Rittenhouse on harmonica and vocals.
They have performed at the Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival, the Big Lick Blues Festival, and many others. They have also opened for The Nighthawks, Bob Margolin, and many other blues legends, touring throughout Western Virginia and the Piedmont area.
Chickenwings & Gravy are among the few duos performing the authentic Chicago-style blues today, proudly carrying the genre into the 21st century. Come on out for a foot-stompin' good time!
John D'earth Quintet
Friday 05/31/2013
Spring Jazz Series
Trumpet legend, John D'earth, brings the bop to Blue 5!
D'earth quickly rose to fame for his work with Miles Davis, Buddy Rich, Dave Matthews Band, Bruce Hornsby, Quincy Jones, Tito Puente, John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, Emily Remler, and many others.
D'earth attended Harvard University briefly only to drop out and pursue his musical career. In his early years he played in Bob Moses' innovative bands. He co-founded the group Cosmology (Vanguard Records) with bandmates drummer Robert Jospe and singer Dawn Thompson (whom D'earth later married.) D'earth is the Director of Jazz Performance at the University of Virginia as well as the artist in residence at Virginia Commonwealth University.
D'earth brings an all-star lineup of jazz heavyweights for a show you won't want to miss: Marcus Tenney (sax), Andrew Randazzo (bass), Brian Mesko (guitar), and Devonne Harris (drums).
Skinny Velvet
Saturday 06/01/2013
Skinny Velvet won the blues contest at the 2011 Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ festival and recently made their Blue 5 debut in August! Prepare to be amazed!!!
Philipp Barry: Drums and Vocals
Born in Jersey City NJ, Phil cut his teeth and built his chops early on within the competitive New York City club scene, eventually leading to an audition with the legendary group The Del Vikings. This eight year relationship as a member of the Vike Squad led to opportunities to back up and perform with other R&B greats such as Benny King, Chubby Checker, Mary Wilson, The Stylistics and the list goes on… Phil moved south in the early 90’s continued performing and recording with blues greats Hubert Sumlin, Guitar Gable, and the Joe Convery band. He later spent two years on the road as a member of the “Outlaw Country” band Delux Motel traveling from Canada to Austin TX and all points in between. Philipp has had the honor to perform on the great stages of Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theater, Garden State Arts Center,The Beacon Theater, Ed Sullivan Theater, and again the list goes on and on….
Ben Robinson: Guitar and Vocals
Born in Jacksonville, FL, Ben has been booked on such shows as “The Late Show” with David Letterman, Donny and Marie, Martin Short and he even pulled a stint with super drummer Tony Royster
Jr. in the Nickelodeon super band produced by Paul Shafer. He was also selected to play guitar with 90’s rockers “Warrant”. Commenting on a recent performance, legendary guitarist Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top fame had this to say about Ben, “I have seen a lot of smokin’ hot blues guitar players in my day, but I ain’t ever heard anyone like Ben”. Ben has been stealing stages ever since….
Jim Bolt: Bass and Vocals
Born in Anderson, SC, Bolt is a veteran of the South’s blues/rock scene. Bolt toured the East Coast in the 80’s/90’s with Carolina rockers TZN’ sharing the stage with Charlie Daniels, Extreme, White Lion, Billy Squire, Georgia Satellites among others. As an original founding member of “Uncle Jam Band”, he shared stages with Tab Benoit, The Kinsey Report and the list goes on… This led to Bolt finding a home with the Contagious Blues Band from Charlotte for 8 years. He has shared the festival stage with ZZ Top, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Hank Williams Jr., Trace Adkins, Wayne Newton, Kenny Wayne Shepperd, Rick Derringer, Joe Bonamassa, Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton.
The Andy T Band
Friday 06/07/2013
The Andy T Band, featuring James "Nick" Nixon.
Nick Nixon is one of those amazing artists that rarely surface today. This velvet voiced singer was born and raised in Nashville, TN, and was part of the thriving Jefferson Street blues scene of the 60's. Nick was a Chess Records recording artist in the 70's, and is a key figure in the reviving Nashville blues scene today. His latest CD was recorded with guitarist/bandleader "Andy T" Talamantez (Guitar Shorty, Smokey Wilson), and produced by Anson Funderburgh.
As a long-time member of The New Imperials, an act with a forty-five year history, Nick has performed with many of the top blues and R&B artists in the world.
Despite such a varied and successful career in the music business, Nixon is still remembered by many as a friend and sometime stage mate of the late, great Jimi Hendrix. Nick befriended Hendrix and his pal (and later to be Band of Gypsies member) Billy Cox when they arrived in Nashville in the early '60s. To this day Nick often writes and performs with his good friend, Cox.
"Andy T" Talamantez was born and raised in Southern California, and relocated to Nashville in 2008. His guitar style is influenced by T-Bone Walker, BB King, Magic Sam, and Albert Collins among others, yet it remains his own. Andy has toured internationally with blues greats Guitar Shorty and Smokey Wilson, and has performed with a long list of major blues artists around the country.
Talk is Cheap
Saturday 06/08/2013
Talk is Cheap is always a crowd pleaser. Featuring drummer/singer/music journalist extraordinaire Tad Dickens, bass player Brad Taylor, guitarist Paul Krayer, and Gabe Morales also on guitar. Gabe is a young blues guitar giant that will blow your mind! Dont miss this show!
Joe Moss
Friday 06/14/2013
Few up and coming young blues performers walk the walk to the degree of Chicago-based guitarist/bandleader Joe Moss. One of the hardest-working performers on the Windy City circuit, Moss routinely works up to 28 gigs a month. His sound, a winning mix of blues and R&B flavors paired with original songwriting vision, can be heard blasting out of Chicago venues like Buddy Guy's Legends and House of Blues on a regular basis. His stinging guitar and accomplished vocal style have won him fans citywide.
A guitarist since the age of 15, Moss was given his passport into the blues world by Buddy Scott, who noticed Moss at a jam session at Rosa's Blues Lounge on Chicago's west side. Soon, Moss was playing seven nights a week as a member of Buddy's Rib Tip band. In 1992, Joe toured Spain with Buddy and also recorded "Bad Ave." with him as well. The record was released on Polygram's Verve Gitane Blues label. Moss' guitar skills quickly became notorious on the local scene and made him an in-demand sideman. He played countless gigs with nearly every bluesman and -woman in the city. Some of his past employers include Zora Young, Charles Wilson, Lil' Smokey Smothers, Syl Johnson, Big Time Sarah, Barkin' Bill Smith, Lefty Dizz, Magic Slim, A.C. Reed, Billy Branch, and Little Mack Simmons. Not merely a local hotshot, Joe has backed these artists in places like Canada, Turkey, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, France, and Germany as well as in Chicago.
Not content to remain on the side, Joe felt the pull to be his own man and lead his own band. This desire led to the birth of both The Joe Moss Band and the CD of the same name. Moss is finally able to do things his way and express the music he has been writing. Original tunes like "Coldhearted," "Good Lovin' Groove," and "Jealous" are sure to win over fans of blues, blues/rock, and R&B. Not one to be media-shy, either, Joe has been featured in Gig Magazine, Vintage Guitar, Living Blues, the Chicago Tribune, the Kenosha News, and In The Mix Magazine.
Not just an imitator of the music's glorious past, Joe strives to find his own sound and material within the styles he chooses to play. His band features some of Chicago's finest blues musicians and Joe himself is a consistent and entertaining performer. Blues fans would be wise to check out Joe Moss and his band as soon as they can. Any worries about this music surviving in the new millennium will surely be put to rest.
Ministers of Soul
Saturday 06/15/2013
The Ministers of Soul Hoppie Vaughan leads The Ministers of Soul through some great tunes. Original tunes + Al Green, Bill Withers, Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield & Much Much More!! You will thoroughly enjoy this show - Guaranteed!!!
Sauce Boss
Friday 06/21/2013
The Sauce Boss
FROM THE DEEP ROOTS OF THE FLORIDA CYPRESS SWAMP COMES THE SAUCE BOSS. Haven’t heard him play? You’ll never forget him once you do. With his distinctive slide guitar sound, wrought out of his ’53 Telecaster like a man beggin’ for mercy, and slung through a 1948 Fender amp like a dark horse running through the night, the Sauce Boss has a truly authentic sound that leaves you looking for something you thought you’d lost, but in fact you never knew you had.
SINCE 1990, THE SAUCE BOSS HAS COOKED GUMBO FOR OVER 165,000 PEOPLE, ALL FOR FREE while simultaneously playing his own swampy Florida blues. A Sauce Boss event transcends performance. Its a soul-shouting picnic of rock & roll brotherhood, involving everyone. And at the end of the show, everyone eats.
The Big Payback
Friday 06/28/2013
The Big Payback is a ten piece, musical powerhouse, dedicated to recreating the music of James Brown as accurately and as passionately as possible.
No stone is left unturned! Their repertoire is filled with all the classic hits you know and love, as well as tons of J.B.’s rarities and B sides.
Splits, hits, turns, and segues, it’s all here! With so much emphasis on authenticity, even the Godfather would have to jump back and kiss himself. The most cynical of cynics will have their minds blown and their hearts warmed from the second the beat drops until they’re left exhausted, sweaty, and smiling hours later.
This is truly something to behold, people! It’s exactly what you would and should expect from a top notch tribute band.
The Big Payback ain't messin’ around. Mother Popcorn, Super Bad, Soul Power, I Feel Good, Pass the Peas, Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag, Sex Machine!!!! You name it, you got it!! All of ‘em, live and in your face, with as much energy as you can possibly stand.
Ten of the most talented musicians from the Mid-Atlantic region bringing you the closest thing to the real thing, The Big Payback. No wigs, no gimmicks, no clichés. An honest, painstakingly researched, representation of the Godfather of Soul, James Brown and his band, at their musical peak. Can you stand it?
Ocie Three
Saturday 06/29/2013
Ocie Davis is an internationally recognized musician, educator, and composer who has performed with some of the most influential figures in jazz including Ellis Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Christian Scott, Nicolas Payton, and Donald Harrison. Ocies debut recording, “Standards and Revisions” Volume I, is available on Chochilla Music. He is currently performing abroad with his group while writing for his upcoming effort.
Ocie has performed in the past at Blue 5 and his skills with the sticks are impressive to say the least. He is one of the leading jazz drummers in the country.
Lil Ronnie and the Grand Dukes
Saturday 07/06/2013
Lil’ Ronnie & the Grand Dukes are, to quote one reviewer, "...the real deal! ... superb talents well versed in traditional blues". While Ronnie & the band are well schooled in all styles of blues they also use elements of 50's r&b, soul, vintage rock & roll & jazz in their unique blend of American roots music. They are led by harpist, singer/songwriter and Hohner Harmonica endorsee Ronnie Owens. Ronnie has been performing since 1963 and has been fronting his own bands for over 25 years. He has played with and opened shows for some of the biggest names in the blues world, John lee Hooker, James Cotton, Taj Mahal, Gatemouth Brown, Carey Bell, Anson Funderburgh / Sam Mayers, Big Bill Morganfield, Mark Hummel's renowned 'Blues Harmonica Blow Out' and many, many others.
Ronnie and his band 'the Grand Dukes' are a critically acclaimed touring band and play anywhere from funky little blues bars, where the music was invented to major blues festivals, including a swinging, jumpin' night as headline artist at New York's prestigious Lincoln Center. They have earned the reputation as an exciting must see band.
Blue 5 Weekend Reservations:
On Friday and Saturday nights, Blue 5 offers two seatings for our guests:
1) An early seating for guests who do NOT wish to stay for the live entertainment.
2) A late seating for guests who want the option to stay for the live entertainment.
PLEASE NOTE: Early seating reservations have a 2-hour allotment before the seating
following their reservation, which allows plenty of time to enjoy dinner with us.
