On Stage: Willie Nile still rockin’ after four decades

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

Just over a year ago, Willie Nile — much to his delight — started playing live shows for live audiences again after a year-and-a-half of pandemic restrictions.

In 2021, Nile came to the area for a concert in May at the Ardmore Music Hall and then returned in November for a show at 118 North (118 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne, www.118northwayne.com).

This weekend, he is leaving Manhattan for another show in this area – a date on July 9 at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com).

Things in the world of rock music have a way of coming full circle.

In 1980, Nile was doing support gigs for his debut album, “Willie Nile.” That same year, The Who were touring the world in support of their most recent album, “Who Are You.”

At the personal request of The Who’s guitarist Pete Townshend, Nile was invited to be the opening for the “Second North American Leg” of the British band’s world tour.

On May 28 this year, The Who were performing at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, New York as part of “The Who Hits Back” tour. Once again, they enlisted Nile’s services as the opening act for a concert featuring the two older and (maybe) wiser legendary acts.

“That was a great night,” said Nile, during a phone interview Monday afternoon while visiting his 104-year-old dad in Buffalo, New York.

“The Who sounded great. Pete’s guitar work was great, and Roger’s vocals were powerful. They still put on a great show.”

The show in May was also a “full circle” event for The Who.

The show marked The Who’s return to the Woodstock site nearly 53 years after they performed at the famous gathering in Bethel, Sullivan County. That night, they started the show in darkness, played a few numbers and then played “Tommy” in its entirety as the sun rose behind the stage. It was and still is one of their most iconic concerts.

Nile, who turned 74 last month, is still rocking hard and still playing a lot of live shows – including a date at City Winery in Philadelphia on November 11.

Nile has also done a couple shows with his old friend Bruce Springsteen as well as a couple Bob Dylan Celebration shows — Bob’s birthday celebrations at City Winery in New York City and the Dylan Festival in Warwick, NY. The Dylan shows were a natural fit for Nile who released an album of Dylan songs – “Positively Bob” in 2017.

“I’ve done the Dylan Festival in Warwick two times,” said Nile. “I played Dylan songs and some of my own. When Dylan turned 75, I got a phone call from City Winery in New York. They asked me to close the show with four songs. I played ‘Hard Rain Gonna Fall,’ ‘Love Minus Zero,’ ‘Rainy Day Woman,’ and ‘You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere.’

“When I was young and first went to New York to play, I never thought about doing cover songs. With my Dylan album, I decided to do songs and put them out there. I made the album in two days. All the vocals were live. I recorded the album at His House Studio which is owned by Spin Doctors’ drummer Aaron Comess.”

Nile is a rocker who loves to perform live.

“I’ve been playing a lot since March 2021,” said Nile. “We started playing in April in New York and did a Midwest tour in the middle of October. People are coming out. Not as much as normal but we’re still playing to good audiences.

Nile has tapped into his own lockdown experience as a source of inspiration for the set of haunting new songs that comprise his emotion-charged latest album, “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” The album was inspired by the sight of Nile’s beloved hometown temporarily turned into a desolate ghost town, thanks to COVID-19 safety precautions.

“For more than a year, New York was like a ghost town,” said Nile, “I have a storage space near the Holland Tunnel, and normally on a Friday night at rush hour, it can take an hour to move five blocks. One night at 6 p.m., I was on Varick Street. I looked in both directions and there wasn’t a car in sight. I could have laid down in the middle of the street without anyone noticing. It was like a science fiction movie.”

Nile’s debut album, “Willie Nile,” was released by Arista Records in early 1980 to critical praise. Now, more than 40 years later, Nile is still going strong.

“We recorded ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ in January 2021,” said Nile. “We all wore masks the whole time and did our best to keep things safe. In the studio, if someone was singing in a room, we couldn’t go in until an hour after they finished singing.

“The whole band, except me, had actually caught COVID on our last gig before the pandemic hit — February 29, 2020 at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. Everyone recovered and, for some reason, I never got it.”

Co-produced by Nile and Grammy-winner and longtime collaborator Stewart Lerman (Elvis Costello/Patti Smith/Norah Jones), the album features such timely compositions as “Sanctuary,” “Expect Change” “Way of the Heart,” “Off My Medication” and “Where There’s a Willie There’s a Way,” “Blood on Your Hands,” and “The Justice Bell” (which was inspired by Nile’s encounter with civil rights icon and U.S. Congressman John Lewis).

“We recorded the album in New Jersey at the same studio we’ve used several times in the past — Hobo Sound in Weehawken,” said Nile, who plays acoustic and electric guitars and piano. We cut it in January. We spent three days doing the basic tracks and a few days doing overdubbing. ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ is not a concept album, but it is clearly inspired by New York in the pandemic shutdown.”

Video link for Willie Nile — https://youtu.be/LCM1QyWM-3M.

The opening act Saturday at the Sellersville Theater will be the duo of veteran songwriters – Rogers & Butler.

Ed Rogers, a British native, has released more than 10 albums – including two with his group Bedsit Poets, a Folk/Brit-inspired trio whose name was given to them by The Zombies’ Colin Blunstone.

Steve Butler is a founding member of Smash Palace, a band from South Jersey that formed in 1985 and signed with Epic Records. Record company troubles resulted in the group becoming inactive within two years. In 1999, Butler and Greg DiDonato, another member from the formative days brought the band back to life.

Since then, Smash Palace has released 13 albums while going through a number of personnel changes. The current line-up features Stephen Butler, David Uosikkinen, Wally Smith, Cliff Hillis and Greg Maragos.

Rogers released his seventh solo album, “TV Generation” (Zip Records) in 2017. In the gritty tradition of Nick Cave, Kevin Ayers and Ray Davies, “TV Generation” pairs Rogers’ authentic and reflective lyricism with his powerful melodic voice creating an album that is grounded in Britpop and Britfolk.  He was joined in the studio by several talented musicians including the album’s producer Don Piper, James Mastro, Sal Maida, Dennis Diken, Geoff Blythe, Marty Willson-Piper, and  Jane Scarpantoni.

Born in Birmingham, England where he spent the first 12 years of his life, Rogers moved to New York City just as the British Invasion began in the States. He started his career behind the drum kit, which he played in several garage bands. When a subway accident in October 1985 left him without his right arm and right leg below the knee, he turned to songwriting. As he developed his writing talents, Edward found he enjoyed singing and writing more rewarding than playing drums.

Rogers released his eighth solo album, “Catch A Cloud” in June 2021. “Catch A Cloud” is a soul-searching, stripped-down personal statement, a trippy swirl of music and ideas, observations of what was going on around him at the time, which influenced both the music and the lyrics of the songs.

The two music vets decided to collaborate about six years ago.

“We wrote our first song together back around 2016 at the Cutting Room in New York City,” said Butler, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from his studio in Rancocas Valley, New Jersey.

“I think that Ed, being English born, is more an Anglophile. I’m more West Coast with influences like the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield.”

Rogers said, “Steve is a classically trained guitarist. He told me that I reminded him of Duncan Browne. We’re both lovers of 60s and 70s British rock. We’re inspired to write as close as we can to the Ray Davies neighborhood.”

After releasing a well-received, four-song EP, “Diana Dors,” Rogers & Butler released its first full-length album, “Poets & Sinners,” on Zip Records. “Catch A Cloud” was originally scheduled for release in 2020, but Rogers decided to put the album on hold in order to release “Poets & Sinners,” the debut from Rogers & Butler in anticipation of tour dates with The Zombies in Europe. The CD was released in June 2020, but for obvious reasons, all live dates were postponed.

Smash Palace released its 13th album, “21,” with 10 rock n roll songs designed to be the soundtrack for the summer of 2021.

“With Smash Palace, we did an album last year,” said Butler. “But for now, my full energy is on Rogers & Butler. Ed and I have been writing a lot. We’re very prolific. We just crank out the songs.”

Rogers & Butler’ new album, “Brighter Day,” was released June 24 on TLAK Music and came in at #29 on the NACC Radio 200 Adds Chart. The album also picked up official adds from some great stations including KTCU, WTCC, KSYM, WCNI, WFWM, KGAR, and WODU along with New Jersey stations WGLS and WLFR.

“Brighter Day” draws primarily upon the timeless sounds of sixties and seventies pop with echoes of the Kinks, Mott the Hoople and early Tom Petty merged with more subtle references to folk, country and English music hall. While dark emotional concerns emerge via Lou Reed style observations and laments alongside Dylan’s “Blood on the Tracks,” the overriding vibe is one of near boundless optimism and a fashioning of romance and beauty from even the most prosaic elements of life.

Highlights include the Big Star meets Ray Davis “Let’s get Up!,” message of opener “Brighter Day’” contrasting with the melancholic, Colin Blunstone-besotted, elegant piano and strings heartbreak ballad “Last Reply.” “The Sun Won’t Shine’ contains glimmers of “All Things Must Pass” era George Harrison, while the nostalgically tinged tin-and-tambourine, acoustic thump and tumble of “Oh Romeo” keeps good company with Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance through close harmony and wry lyrical sympathy. The Duncan Browne stylings of “Cabaret” takes listeners into a baroquely pensive club world, and the album takes its leave with the climactic “A Brand New Day Tomorrow,” which has a heavy Flamin’ Groovies vibe.

“We cut the album in New York City – at Greenpoint Recording in Brooklyn,” said Rogers. “Our producer Don Piper put it all together. We pitched 10 labels, got three offers and signed with TLAK. They are great to work with.”

Ironically, ‘TLAK,’ which is an acronym for “Think Like A Key,” means “pressure” in the Czech language.

“When we made the album, we kept all the options on the table,” said Butler. “We had a solid unit in the studio and made the album in two days.

“We sent the material to the players and then got together for two rehearsals – three hours each. We got in the studio and did all the songs in two or three takes. Then, Don (Piper) put his magic on it.”

The band’s fans will hear a lot of new material this weekend.

“We’re doing mostly new songs in our live set,” said Rogers. “This is a good thing. We’re used to opening for bigger bands so we know how to play short compact sets.”

Video link for Rogers & Butler — https://youtu.be/inKowrQOX6g.

The attractive twin-bill at Sellersville Theater on July 9 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $25.

There are many reasons to make the trip to Sellersville this weekend.

Because of the pandemic, it’s been several years since Eilen Jewell played shows in this area. Fortunately for her fans, she is coming back this weekend – for a pair of concerts.

Jewell will perform on July 8 at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com) and then will travel one hour south for a show on July 9 at Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org).

Jewell’s most recent album is called “Gypsy” and it fits.

Jewell grew up in Idaho and remained there until it was time to leave for college. Since then, she has lived in the Southwest in Santa Fe, New Mexico and on the East Coast in Boston. Jewell has also travelled all across America in her 14 years as a performing musician.

Her gypsy days were curtailed by the pandemic – but now she is back in action.

“My new album is coming along really great,” said Jewell, during a phone interview Tuesday night backstage at the Ark in Ann Arbor, Michigan as she was waiting for the opening act to finish.

“I just recorded it about two weeks ago. I’m going to move into pre-production after we get back from the road. Hopefully, we’ll release it early next year – January or February.

“We recorded it at Audio Lab Studio in Boise. That’s where I’ve done my last few records including ‘Sundown Over Ghost Town’ and ‘Gypsy.’

“When we finish this tour, I’m going to fly to Nashville to do some work on the album starting August 1. I’m going there to work with Will Kimbrough. He’s going to be producing the record and doing some post-production work with musicians from Nashville.

“I haven’t played much with other musicians. Most of the time, it’s been insular. So, this will be a new experience.”

Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Jewell began piano lessons at the age of seven and picked up the guitar when she was 14. She also fell under the powerful spell of Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday while, at the same time, discovering other artists like Bob Dylan and Howlin’ Wolf.

While attending St. John’s College in Santa Fe, she began playing the local farmers’ markets and bars. She moved to Los Angeles, then relocated all the way across the country in early 2003 to western Massachusetts, and later in the year she moved to Boston, where she threw herself into the vigorous local music scene.

Jewell recorded a live demo album in 2005 called “Nowhere in No Time” and put out the self-released studio project “Boundary Country” a year later. The positive response to Boundary Country led to Jewell signing with Signature Sounds.

Since then, she has released “Sea of Tears,” “Letters from Sinners & Strangers,” “Queen of the Minor Key,” “Sundown Over Ghost Town,” and “Gypsy.” Other releases have been “Down Hearted Blues,” an album of vintage blues covers; a live double-album “Live at the Narrows,”; and “Butcher Holler: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn.”

“We moved back to Boise in 2012,” said Jewell. “We were back in Idaho for two years and then had our daughter, Mavis. My ex-husband Jason Beek is our drummer. Now, Mavis is eight and she’s on the road with us for this tour. She really likes travelling – just like her parents.”

Jewell is touring with a band that also features Jerry Miller (not Moby Grape guitarist Jerry Miller) on guitar, Matt Murphy on bass, “Shakey Dave” Manion on pedal steel and Steve Fulton on guitar. Fulton, who is co-owner of Audiolab, was the engineer on “Gypsy” and will be the opening act at both of Jewell’s area shows.

Jewell’s first album of original material since 2015, “Gypsy” expanded brief moments of joy into lifetimes and distilled epic sentiments and persistent doubts into succinct songs.

“We’ll be doing some stuff from ‘Gypsy’ on this tour and three new songs,” said Jewell. “We’re doing stuff from all my albums – three from each. It’s kind of a mix of all my stuff. I have so many albums now – seven plus a live album and a Loretta Lynn tribute. It’s a mix. It’s Americana and Americana is a mix.

“Some of the songs on ‘Gypsy’ were in the works for many years – even 10 years for some of them. I’d write a little and then come back. It was the same with the new album which was written during the pandemic. The idea for almost all the songs happened during the pandemic. I wrote a lot but not a lot were songs. I sort of sketch things and come up with ideas for songs

Video link for Eilen Jewell – https://youtu.be/beN3Isqxgyk.

The show at Sellersville will start at 8 p.m. on July 8. Tickets start at $22.50.

Other upcoming shows at the Sellersville Theater are Acoustic Alchemy on July 7, Asia on July 10, Esmé Patterson on July 12 and Mr. Sun on July 13.

The show at Kennett Flash on July 9 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $27.

Another upcoming show at Kennett Flash is Garden Station on July 8.

Fans of blues music have a lot to get excited about over the next few days including visits by two artists from the prestigious blues label – Alligator Records.

Selwyn Birchwood will have a Chester County date on July 7 at The Sound Bank (119 South Main Street, Phoenixville, www.soundbankphx.com). A few days later, the talented guitarist will be in Lancaster as one of the featured acts at the Lancaster Roots and Blues 2022 (lancasterrootsandblues.com).

Birchwood will perform at 5:30 p.m. on July 9 at Marriott Hotel and Lancaster Convention Center – Main Stage Freedom Hall (25 South Queen Street, Lancaster). At 7:30 p.m., he will be followed by another Alligator Records artists – Toronzo Cannon.

With his fiery guitar and lap steel playing, his trailblazing, instantly memorable songs and gritty, unvarnished vocals, Birchwood is among the most extraordinary young stars in the blues. His deep familiarity with blues tradition allows him to bust the genre wide open, adding new sounds, colors and textures, all delivered with a revival tent preacher’s fervor and a natural storyteller’s charisma.

His latest album is “Living In A Burning House,” which was released last year on Alligator Records.

“The album won two Blues Music Awards,” said Birchwood, during a phone interview last week from his home in Tampa, Florida.

“It got the award for ‘Contemporary Blues Album’ and for ‘Song of the Year’ and my band member Reggi Oliver got one for ‘Best Horn Player.’

“We finished making the album in December 2019. It was set to be released in May 2020. Obviously, 2020 had different plans. It finally came out in January 2021. I was ecstatic with the reception it got.”

Like all musicians, Birchwood had to adapt to life during the pandemic.

“It was a culture shock to be home,” said Birchwood, who lives in Tampa, Florida. “In ordinary times, I’m never home. I’m really glad to be on the road again.

“We released the new album in 2021. Even with so much uncertainty, we decided to put it out. We did two shows in January 2021 when the album came out – shows with social distancing. We didn’t do any concerts outside the state until mid-2021. Now, we’ve got overseas stuff including festivals in Europe and blues cruises.

“I’m happy to be back movin’ and shakin’. We’re doing shorter toiurs because of the landsapes of venues. There is still some uncertyainty. It’s a different landscape since 2020. But people seem ready to come listening. Because of COVID, we still have a lot of cities that haven’t heard the new album live.”

For “Living In A Burning House,” Birchwood wrote and arranged 13 new songs, and brought in famed Grammy Award-winning musician/producer Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Susan Tedeschi) to produce. From the rocking opener “I’d Climb Mountains” to the sweet soul of “She’s A Dime” and “One More Time” to the hair-raising “Revelation,” “Living In A Burning House” features some of the most vividly striking writing on today’s blues scene.

“With the new album, I’m really trying to straddle the line between contemporary and traditional,” said Birchwood. “I’m just trying to find my own stuff. I think people would be hard-pressed to name another band like us. When I’m asked to describe my music, I use four words – electric swamp funk blues.”

Since the 2014 release of his Alligator Records debut, “Don’t Call No Ambulance,” Birchwood has made a meteoric rise from playing small Florida clubs to headlining international festival stages.

That album received the Blues Music Award and Living Blues Critics’ Award for “Best Debut Album of 2014,” and Birchwood won the 2015 “Blues Blast Rising Star Award.”

Birchwood’s follow-up was “Pick Your Poison” in 2016.

Birchwood wrote and produced all 13 songs on his latest album “Pick Your Poison,” which was released in 2017 on Alligator Records. The album is a testament to Birchwood’s overflowing talents as a blues master – despite his young age of 36.

“The ‘Pick Your Poison’ album was nominated for two Blues Music Awards,” said Birchwood. “We started making ‘Pick Your Poison’ in May of 2106.

“It was a real challenge for us to get in the studio because our tour schedule was so crazy. I had to do it two or three days at a time. I didn’t finish it until December. We did it at Phat Planet Studio in Orlando. It’s a great studio with a lot of great gear.

Birchwood is one of the top acts to emerge in the world of blues music in recent years. In 2013, he won the world-renowned International Blues Challenge — beating out 125 other musicians from the U.S. and abroad.

He also took home the Albert King Guitarist of the Year Award. After that, it didn’t take long for Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer to offer Birchwood a contract.

“Bruce heard me play at IBC (International Blues Challenge) in Memphis,” said Birchwood.

“I gave him some of my tracks to listen to. I was just hoping to get his opinion on them. Instead, he asked me to make an album for his record label.”

Birchwood was born in 1985 in Orlando, Florida. He first grabbed a guitar at age 13 and soon became proficient at mimicking what he heard on the radio. But the popular grunge rock, hip-hop and metal of the 1990s didn’t move him, and he quickly grew bored.

Then he heard Jimi Hendrix. By the time he was 17, Birchwood was deep into the blues — listening to Albert King, Freddie King, Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, Lightnin’ Hopkins and especially Buddy Guy.

“When I was young, I decided I wanted to play an instrument and landed on guitar,” said Birchwood. “I was bored with just hearing the stuff on the radio in the late 90s.

“When I heard Jimi Hendrix for the first time, I was blown away. It was like a spaceship landed. Then, I started listening to Hendrix’ roots — Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy.

“Buddy Guy was one of my favorites. He was coming on tour to the House of Blues in Orlando when I was 17 and living there. I went to his show and was completely floored. I said — what I’m feeling coming off this stage is what I want to do.”

Video link for Selwyn Birchwood — https://youtu.be/NcxdptrFQCc.

Not long after he released his Alligator Records debut, “The Chicago Way,” Toronzo Cannon established his reputation as one the most electrifying bluesmen to emerge from Chicago in decades.

Cannon has etched that reputation in stone with his second Alligator album, “The Preacher, The Politician Or The Pimp,” which was released on September 20, 2019. The songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist establishes a standard by fusing his original, keenly-detailed tales of everyday life with his muscular guitar playing.

“The Chicago Way” was a hard act to follow. The album was nominated for a Blues Music Award in 2017 as “Album of the Year.” Cannon and Alligator president Bruce Iglauer won the 2016 Living Blues Award for “Producer of The Year — New Recording” for “The Chicago Way.”

“Bruce produced the new album too,” said Cannon, during a recent phone interview.

“I had a little more influence on the production this time. I was more comfortable in the studio – and I had a lot more ideas.”

Like many of today’s newer musicians, Cannon also has a “day job.” His primary source  of income is as a bus driver for Chicago Transit Authority.

“The things I see while driving my bus are inspiration for songs,” said Cannon. “The whole CD was written on the bus. I get a lot of ideas when I’m driving. I’ve looked back and seen people shooting up heroin in the back of the bus. I’ve had grandmothers fighting on my bus.”

Real-life situations are great topics for songwriters. Cannon has had the benefit of sitting in a front row seat for years and having the ability of transforming what he sees into stellar blues tracks.

“Me being from Chicago and seeing what I see every day exposes me to a lot of tax brackets,” said Cannon. “I talk to people. I don’t know who you are, but you tell me. The other day, I had to coax a guy off my bus in a tough section and then a few minutes later, I’m driving on the ‘Magnificent Mile,’ which is one of the richest areas in Chicago. My bus goes through a LOT of tax brackets.”

Almost every day, Cannon is in a great – and constantly moving – position to be an observer of life in a big American city.

According to Cannon, “It’s not about the solos. It’s about the songs. People get used to everyday life, so it’s easy to miss the things around them. I write about those things. I know the problems of Chicago — the hardship — because we’re always a scapegoat. But I choose to love and respect the city because of the Chicago blues giants that came here from down South. I’m proud to be standing on the shoulders of every great Chicago blues musician who came before me.”

Cannon grew up on the South Side of Chicago near the Robert Taylor Homes and Theresa’s Lounge where he heard blues artists including Buddy Guy and Junior Wells.

Throughout the history of Chicago blues, the intensely competitive local club scene has served as a proving ground, where only the best musicians rise to the top.

Iconic blues artists from Muddy Waters to Howlin’ Wolf to Koko Taylor to Hound Dog Taylor to Luther Allison all paid their dues in the Chicago blues bars before making their mark on the world.

The same holds true today, as newcomers look to living legends like Buddy Guy, Eddy Clearwater and Lil’ Ed Williams for inspiration in taking their music from Chicago to fans across the globe.

Now, Cannon is ready to write his own story as he claims his place as one of the city’s most popular and innovative blues musicians.

“I came in the side door of blues,” said Cannon.

“I grew up around it. When I started playing guitar, I wanted to play reggae. All the clubs around Chicago were blues clubs. I grew up in the neighborhood of Theresa’s Lounge and never even knew how famous it was until I got older.

“I remember hearing all these great blues guys like Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters. Now, I’m a blues musician. I have had some full-circle moments. I play blues for this age.”

Video link for Toronzo Cannon — https://youtu.be/PbOypjrzS7c.

Another headline act at the festival in Lancaster will be local saxophone standout Vanessa Collier. She will play at the Main Stage Freedom Hall on July 10 at 5 p.m.

Collier is a highly acclaimed blues/jazz sax player who spends a lot of time touring nationally.

Collier released her latest album “Heart On The Line” on August 21, 2020 – an album that has received rave reviews from music critics and fans alike. Still in her mid-20s, Collier has toured all over the world numerous times and has released three solo albums. With searing saxophone solos, soulful vocals, and witty lyrics, her songwriting features a blend of blues, funk, rock, and soul.

Collier’s impressive vocals and stinging saxophone work saw her light up stages as part of Joe Louis Walker’s band in 2012 and 2013.

In 2014, her debut album “Heart Soul & Saxophone” won her accolades as a “Best of 2014 Blues Breaker.” In March 2017, she released her sophomore album “Meeting My Shadow.” Collier’s third album “Honey Up” was released on July 6, 2018.

Collier is primarily a sax player, singer and songwriter but is also well-versed in playing clavinet, flute, electric organ, and percussion.

“When I was little, I really wanted to play piano,” said Collier. “I don’t know why. I started taking piano lessons but didn’t like the teacher, so I quit after six months. I saw someone playing sax on television and fell in love with it. We rented a sax for me when I was in fourth grade. That was in school. Then, I studied with a private instructor for a few years.

“Then, I took lessons with Chris Vadala, who played sax with Chuck Mangione. I studied with him for seven years – classical, jazz and funk. He started me doubling on flute and clarinet. I still play those instruments. Mainly, I play sax — tenor, some soprano and some baritone.”

Collier’s previous album “Honey Up” was released almost two years and was nominated for Blues Music Award (BMA) Contemporary Blues Album of the Year.

“That album did well right from the start,” said Collier. “It was a Top 5 Billboard Blues Album and was well-received by radio deejays.”

Collier was nominated in 2017 for a Blues Music Award in the “Instrumental — Horn Player of the Year” category. She also won first place in the “Lyrics Only” category of the 2017 USA Songwriting Competition. In 2018, Collier was nominated in two categories at the Blues Music Awards – “Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year” and “Instrumental — Horn Player of the Year.”

In 2019, she was again nominated in same two categories at the Blues Music Awards – “Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year” and “Instrumental – Horn.” She claimed first place in the “Instrumental – Horn” category.

“Honey Up,” which had a three-month residency on Billboard’s “Top Blues Albums Chart,” provides a good look at Collier’s influences.

“With jazz, the first person I was turned on to was Cannonball Adderley,” said Collier. “Other major influences were John Coltrane, Junior Walker, and Maceo Parker. Vocally, I started with Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan and that morphed into Norah Jones and Bonnie Raitt.”

Collier also is a music teacher and has been involved in various “Blues in Schools” programs.

“I grew up in Clarksville, Maryland and then graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston,” said Collier, who earned a dual degree in performance and music production, and engineering. “Right now, I’m basically just playing and teaching.

“I really like teaching sax – soprano, tenor, alto and baritone. I feel like I have a lot to offer.”

Video link for Vanessa Collier — https://youtu.be/iHsau_hj4FE.

 

Following Collier at the Main Stage Freedom Hall on July 10 will be Ana Popovic at 7:30 p.m.

Traditionally, blues musicians and blues music in general have been linked to various rivers — especially the Mississippi River (Delta blues), the Chicago River (Chicago blues) and, from the late 1960s on, the Thames River (British blues).

Spady’s hometowns have been along the Pasaic River in Paterson and the Susquehanna in Scranton.

Ana Popovic, who has built an international reputation as a stellar blues guitarist, hails from a totally different river area. She was born and raised in Beograd (Belgrade), the Serbian capital that is located at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers.

After leaving Serbia, Popovic settled alongside another river — The Amstel in Amsterdam. Her next relocation brought her to the banks of the Mississippi River in Memphis. Her most recent album is “Live for Live,” which was just released as a DVD and a CD.

“The new album is called ‘Live for Live’ because we live for playing live,” said Popovic, during a phone interview from her home in Manhattan Beach.

“We hadn’t played a live show for a year. We recorded the album in December in the south of France. We had a six piece band and six cameras. It was great.

“The music had a lot of power and a lot of guitars. We really had the music cooking. It was the right time to record. And it was showcase of great players.

“I have a European band and that keyboard player has been with me for 15 years and the horn player for eight. I also have a band for American shows with different members. But I do use the same rhythm section on both sides of the Atlantic.

Popovic’s two most recent albums prior to “Live for Live” were “Trilogy” (2016) and “Like It on Top” (2018).

“‘Trilogy’ was a three CD set,” said Popovic. “‘Volume Three’ was jazz. ‘Volume Two’ was rock and blues. ‘Volume One’ was funk and soul. Every record is different. Every record brings out a new sound. My audience is used to that. That’s what they’ve come to expect from me since the beginning of my career – funk, blues, good shuffles.

“The inspiration for ‘Trilogy’ came when my fans would tell me about compilations they made of my songs from different albums. I was able to feature musicians whose strength was in each genre.”

“Trilogy” was produced by Grammy Award winner Warren Riker (Lauryn Hill, Carlos Santana), Grammy Award winner Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, Susan Tedeschi) and Delfeayo Marsalis, one of the top trombonists, composers and producers in jazz today.

Some of the standout musicians who made guest appearances on the ambitious project were Joe Bonamassa, Robert Randolph, Bernard Purdie (The Purdie Shuffle), Cody Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), rapper Al Capone and many others.

Serbia was part of Yugoslavia when Popovic was growing up and Communist-controlled Eastern Europe was hardly a place where blues music flourished. But, Popovic didn’t have to go far to hear blues music — it was all around her.

“I grew up with blues music,’ said Popovic. “I had listened to blues music since I was little in my house because my dad was a blues musician. He’d hold jam sessions in our house every week.

“Also, he was playing blues records all the time — albums by artists such as Robert Johnson, Son House, Elmore James, Albert Collins and Bukka White. We also listened to jazz and funk albums too. When I heard Ronnie Earl and T-Bone Walker, I liked the jazz element too.

“I was 15 when I started playing guitar, but I had been involved with the blues for a long time before that. When my dad had his jam sessions, I would be in there singing along with the band. I formed my first band and started performing on my own when I was 18.

“I studied graphic design in Beograd and then started studying jazz at the Conservatory of Music in Amsterdam in 1999. I decided to study jazz so I could create my own style that combined blues and jazz. I wanted to go out and play with people other than those who were totally into blues.

“I didn’t want to just stay in the same place musically. I wanted to get out and not be afraid to swim in a new style. I love to play a variety of styles with respect to each other — rock, jazz, funk and blues. I like to look at the guitar as a sound instrument more than just a solo instrument. I like to be different in every song. I love writing about the things that I see and the things that I feel.”

Now, Popovic has a new album in the works.

“During the whole pandemic, we were just making music and that kept us going,” said Popovic. “It was one big pre-production. We’ve got so many songs. Now, we just have to get in the studio and make the finished product.”

Video link for Ana Popovic — https://youtu.be/V7C4A5ruqjA.

Other top acts performing at this weekend’s festival in Lancaster are Tommy Castro, Bonerama, Tommy Conwell & the Young Rumblers, Albert Castiglia, Lonnie Shields, Jimmy Vivino, Sweet Leda, Adam Kowalczk, Live at the Fillmore, and Swamp Dixon.

 

Albert Castiglia will perform on July 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge (219 North Duke Street, Lancaster).

Castiglia’s new album, “I Got Love,” was produced by Zito and features Justine Tompkins (bass and vocals), Ephraim Lowell (drums and vocals), Lewis Stephens (Hammond B3 organ and piano) and Castiglia (guitar and vocals).

It showcases 11 intense, blues-drenched tracks and is a personal and powerful statement from Castiglia.

According to Castiglia, “The album is a musical essay documenting the last two years of my life — two years of many highs and lows. It’s about falling, failing, adapting, reinventing, surviving and becoming triumphant.

“The blues and blues-infused music is rooted in truth. This album is my truth. To ignore the events of the past two years (the COVID era) and write about anything else would not be my truth. I went through it all – loss, depression, illness, fear of the unknown.

“I know I couldn’t have been the only one that went through it. This collection of songs is for those who felt like I did. It’s for those who went down fighting and those who keep on fighting. For many of us in my profession and in the gig economy, this was our great depression. Some of us are doing well and some of us are still trying to find solid ground.”

“I Got Love” officially dropped on March 25.

“I recorded ‘I Got Love’ at Dockside Studio in Maurice, Louisiana,” said Castiglia, who lives in Fort Lauderdale Florida.

“It’s a wonderful studio in the middle of a bayou. It has a mix of digital and analog equipment including a 48-track Neve board. We recorded it back in November and it just came out this month.

“I only get to play seven or eight songs in my set. I’ll try to do at least two or three new ones. I also have to play older ones because people want to hear my ‘standards.’”

Castiglia’s two previous albums were “Masterpiece” in 2019 and “Wild and Free” in 2020. Castiglia was the 2020 BMA winner for Blues Rock Album of the Year with “Masterpiece.”

“When ‘Masterpiece’ came out, we toured pretty heavily that year,” said Castiglia. “We did a winter tour in early 2020. We were in Switzerland and there were rumblings of a pandemic in the states.

“We got home and did shows in Atlanta and Tallahassee. We were on our way up to Delaware for a show in St. George’s when the owner called and said – hold on. He called again and said that the state had shut down. So, we turned around and headed home.

“We put out ‘Wild and Free’ in 2020. COVID was part of the inspiration. There were no real rules where we lived – in Florida. We just had to adapt to what was happening. I did gigs and then got heat from the other side.

“For musicians, the pandemic was a time of depression. We lost all those gigs and had to find a way to make up for it.

“Our drummer is a handyman, so he found work. So did our bass player, who is an office worker. I improvised — teaching lessons by Zoom and doing virtual shows. It was a tough couple years but we found a way to get through it.”

Castiglia was born on August 12, 1969 when the planets were getting in cosmic alignment to welcome the hundreds of thousands of music fans who had already begun their journey to New York State to attend “Woodstock Music & Art Fair: An Aquarian Exposition.”

A lot of blues acts performed live during those three historic days including the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Johnny Winter, Keef Hartley Band, and Canned Heat along with blues-influenced rock bands such as the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Mountain, Ten Years After and Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Castiglia, who is a guitarist, singer and songwriter, got involved in the blues two decades after Woodstock.

“Eric Clapton got me into the blues in the beginning,” said Castiglia. “I listened to a lot of blues on record. I was fascinated but these were blues songs that were covers. I wanted to find the versions that were the originals.

“Then I bought Muddy Waters’ ‘Hard Again.’ That was the record that really changed it. I was hearing Muddy for the first time on cassette. To me, the songs are what matter — even without production. Music is still really powerful. It’s all about the song and the message.

“It’s because of the old stuff that I’m doing this now. The great thing about the blues is that you never stop learning.”

Castiglia joined the Miami Blues Authority in 1990 and was named the “Best Blues Guitarist in Miami” by the Miami New Times in 1997. Discovered singing by Junior Wells in 1996, Castiglia joined his touring band and worked as Wells’ lead guitarist until the blues legend’s death in 1998.

Castiglia’s first solo album, “Burn,” was self-released in 2004 and followed in 2006 by “The Bittersweet Sessions,” which was also self-released. He then released four albums on BluesLeaf Records — “A Stone’s Throw,” These Are the Days,” “Keepin On,” and “Living the Dream.” Next was a series of four LPs on Ruf Records – “Solid Ground,” “Blues Caravan 2014,” “Big Dog,” and “Up All Night.”

Castiglia’s 11th album was “Masterpiece,” which was released by Gulf Coast Records on May 24, 2019.

“I recorded the album in Mike’s studio in Nederland, Texas,” said Castiglia. “It was very special to be there.

“Mike played bass and drums and I played guitar and sang. It was mostly analog. A lot was done live with Mike on drums and me. I think it has a live feeling. The only thing we overdubbed was the bass.

“It was inspired by events of the previous year. I got connected with a daughter I never knew I had – a daughter and two grandkids.”

When Castiglia’s daughter found him, she provided him with an instant family.

According to Castiglia, “Prior to my daughter finding me, my entire adult life felt incomplete. I never knew why I felt that way. I could never put my finger on it. Then when I discovered my daughter, my heart was suddenly overflowing.

“My daughter finding me and opening up my world to an additional family, including two grandchildren, brought out the deepest material I’ve ever created.”

Family relationships have always fueled blues lyrics and Castiglia is keeping the tradition alive.

“My job as a musician is to keep the groove alive and relevant,” said Castiglia. “That’s why I do it. That’s why my contemporaries do it. I do it because I love it. It’s the reason I live and I exist. It’s the reason that I play this music for a living.”

Video link for Albert Castiglia — https://youtu.be/dV58R7b3WSA.

More blues music can be found on July 8 at the World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com) with a twin-bill featuring the Dukes of Destiny and The Two Johns.

“The Two Johns” is a duo featuring John Colgan-Davis and Johnny Never.

East Coast bluesman Johnny Never has a mission to deliver pure, unadulterated vintage blues to those who already love the blues as well as those who have never heard it. Whether solo or with accompaniment, Never has energized audiences in Northern Maryland, Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey from small bars and restaurants to music halls such as the MAC Concert Series, The Mainstay, the Kennett Flash and Jamie’s House of Music.

Never, who has also performed in variety of music festivals, delivers his take on the blues as a solo performer as well as with a duo and a trio.

Often referred to by blues enthusiasts as “the real deal,” Never pays homage to, but does not mimic, the vast array of original bluesmen that gave birth to the genre more than a century ago. He is known for his covers of artists like Son House, Robert Johnson, and Charlie Patton.

His original compositions possess the qualities of the genuine article, delivered through deft finger-style guitar work and a voice that reeks of authenticity.

These qualities have earned him recognition by blues and folk music societies from Memphis to Philadelphia. In 2014, Johnny was a quarterfinalist in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

Johnny Never – a.k.a. John Dorchester — is a multi-discipline artist/creator who grew up in West Chester and attended West Chester Henderson before graduating from Westtown School.

Colgan-Davis, harmonica and vocals, started playing the harmonica in local blues and folk clubs back in the late 1960s while he was still a high school student. He played and recorded with Philadelphia singer-guitarist Jesse Graves and played with Bonnie Raitt when she lived in Philadelphia in the early 1970s.

Through Raitt, he had the opportunity to meet and play with Mississippi Fred McDowell, Arthur Crudup, Buddy Guy, Skip James, Mississippi John Hurt, and others. He has also jammed with James Cotton, John Hammond, Charlie Musselwhite, John Lee Hooker, Bill Dicey, and Louisiana Red.

Colgan-Davis has toured nationally and has recorded two CDs — “Cold and Lonesome on a Train” and “Heroes and Hard Times.” A founding member of The Dukes of Destiny, John also taught social studies at Friends Select School in Philadelphia for 29 years and has written articles and supplements for The Philadelphia Inquirer on Blacks in the American West, Black Literature, the History of Black Philadelphia, and other topics.

For a long time, the two Philly area blues aces were aware of each other and their talents. A few years ago, their paths came together.

“About four years ago, Johnny and I were at the same gig and started talking,” said Colgan-Davis.

“We started hanging out together. Then, I sat in with him at a mini-festival bit I can’t remember where. It was somewhere out in the country. He also had a bass player with him – Dave Young who since has moved to Colorado.”

In a phone interview, Never said, “John is a great harmonica player. I’ve been playing blues for decades and had a parting of ways with my previous harmonica player. I called John up to see what would happen.”

Colgan-Davis said, “For the past few years, we’ve been playing as The Two Johns. Our first real show was at Hummingbird on Mars in Wilmington.

“I love playing acoustic again. There are things you can do as an acoustic harp player that you can’t do with a loud band.

“Johnny is a very good picker and a great slide player. He’s also a great Piedmont Blues player.”

Colgan-Davis and the harmonica have a long history together.

“I started acoustic harmonica when I was in high school at Philadelphia’s Central High School,” said Colgan-Davis. “Central High had a folk music club, and we had a budget big enough to being Skip James and Son House to play at our school.

“With The Two Johns, we play a couple songs I played in high school – including Son House’s ‘Death Letter Blues.’ We play a lot of Piedmont Blues, ragtime and some 1920s jazz ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’,’ a Fats Waller song. We do things I haven’t found a way to do with the Dukes of Destiny.”

Never said, “Music is about feel. When you play with somebody, you need to make sure you can connect with the feel. John’s playing works very well with old blues – especially Piedmont style. I play guitar almost exclusively acoustic. Early blues didn’t have electric guitar.

“I got attracted to early acoustic blues as a young person. It was a slow evolution. As a teenager, I heard recordings by Charley Patton and Son House. It hit me – and really stuck with me. When I was in my late 30s and early 40s, I really started working at it.”

As an adolescent, Never had a keen interest in landscape painting and filmmaking — studying painting with Nantucket artist, Warren Krebs, and filmmaking with Earl Fowler, whose famous brother, Jim, made nature films for Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom.”

“I’ve had a bunch of different jobs,” said Never/Dorchester. “I started as an AFA painter and then got into commercial filmmaking from 1993-2014. Now, I’m back to being a fine artist working in oils”

He is also back to being a fine musician who has teamed with Colgan-Davis to keep early acoustic blues alive.

Video link for The Two Johns — https://youtu.be/ny2EmfXYMR0.

Colgan-Davis now has a dual role with the Dukes of Destiny. When prior vocalist Arlyn Wolters left the band recently, the Dukes’ music was altered slightly.

“Now that Arlyn is gone, I’m doing the majority of the singing,” said Colgan-Davis. “I was singing before Arlyn so now it’s back to the roots. Also, our guitarist Ian Lander is singing more now.”

Lander was the band’s previous major change back in 2019.

“Ian replaced our old guitarist AC Steel,” said Colgan-Davis. “He is quite a good guitarist – and quite a good singer. He’s a bit of a younger guy who has played around Philly with his own band. AC Steel left the Dukes because he also has his own band The Galvanizers and he wanted to concentrate on that.”

The new guy has added more depth and versatility to the Dukes of Destiny’s sound.

“Ian is into blues and rock – and a lot of different things,” said Colgan-Davis. “He has a different style than AC Steel. It’s been fun working with him.

“We’ve also added some new material – soul songs like Marvin Gaye—not just straight blues. We’ve also added some swing songs. We like to get people moving.

“Our repertoire has changed. I get to do songs that we haven’t done in a while like Slim Harpo’s ‘Got Love If You Want It.’ I get to sing slow blues. I love to sing those songs again – songs like Junior Wells’ ‘Messin’ with the Kid,’ and ‘Muddy Waters’ ‘She Moves Me.’

“I also get to sing two Howlin’ Wolf songs – ‘Evil’ and ‘Smokestack Lightnin’. We’re also doing some originals like ‘Black Man Blush.’ I love singing slow blues.”

In addition to performing at most of the clubs in the Tri-State area, the Dukes of Destiny have performed at the Pocono Blues Festival, the Waterfront Jam at Philadelphia’s Penn’s Landing, the State Street Blues Stroll in Media, the Bucks County R’n’B Picnic, the New Jersey Folk Festival and the Longwood Gardens Summer Concert Series.

“For the past few years, we’ve had great years,” said Colgan-Davis back in 2019. “We played places we had never played before – like the Philadelphia Folk Festival. We also played places we really love like the Kennett Flash and the West Grove Friends Meeting.

“We played the Phoenixville Blues Festival and the Paoli Blues Festival. We really love playing the Kennett Flash. And we love our Chester County crowd. They’ve been coming to see us play for 14-15 years.”

Chester County music fans and the Dukes of Destiny definitely have a love affair going.

“We did the Turks Head Festival in West Chester a few years ago – and ‘Rhythm and Roots’ in Media,” said Colgan-Davis. “We love the Flash – the intimacy and the sound system. And, we love what it stands for and what it means to Kennett Square.

“We love the people of Chester County and I really like the landscape of the area. It’s always a special place for us. Chester County gigs have the vibe of old coffee houses. We put out the energy and the audience give sit back to us.”

Audiences that like to get out of their seats and dance are a big part of the Dukes of Destiny live experience.

“We get all kinds of dancers at our shows,” said Colgan-Davis. “We’ve been playing a lot more festivals. We’re back on the festival circuit. I love playing festivals for a couple reasons. You get a whole bunch of people playing together. That takes me back to the 60s and the be-ins back then.

“Sun Ra had said the message that music is the healing force of the universe and you feel that at festivals. And, kids get to hear real music played by real people. With a band like us that plays off the crowd, a festival show is a real exciting thing.”

Colgan-Davis’s introduction to the blues came when he was in high school at Central High in Philadelphia and saw the Stones performing with Howling Wolf on the “Shindig” TV show. Howlin’ Wolf, whose real name was Chester Burnett, was an American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player who was one of the premier Chicago bluesmen.

“When I saw Howlin’ Wolf on that TV show, I jumped up and said — this is what I want to do,” said Colgan-Davis. “I started playing blues when I was 16. My dad gave me a grab bag for my birthday and a harmonica was in it.

“I started listening to blues records a lot — players like Muddy Waters and James Cotton. I was really into Chicago blues of the 1950s and 1960s when I started. Then, I got into guys like Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. One of the first bands I played in was a Philly blues band called Sweet Stavin’ Chain.”

A while later, the Dukes of Destiny became the main musical vehicle for Colgan-Davis. At first, they played house parties in Germantown, generating word of mouth interest. A gig at the now-defunct Taker’s Cafe in Germantown launched their public career

“The Dukes got together in the mid-1980s,” said Colgan-Davis. “Steve Brown started the band and it began with that gig at Taker’s Café. Steve died of pancreatic cancer in 2000 and I’ve been the leader ever since. Steve has always been in my mind. We did a tribute concert to him a few years ago and we still do some of his favorites in our set.

“We have a whole range of music in what we can play — everything from Chicago blues to old-school soul. What’s great about the Dukes is that we’re a band. We use each other’s strengths.”

Video link for the Dukes of Destiny – https://youtu.be/j5fM0sugB5w.

The show at the World Café Live on July 8 will start at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $18.

More blues tunes can be heard at Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com).

The “Thursday Night Jazz Jam” and the “Sunday Blues Brunch & Jam” are regular features on Jamey’s calendar while Friday and Saturday night shows feature national and regional acts.

“Sunday Blues Brunch & Jam” is a favorite of Jamey’s regulars because Reilly and his band the Philly Blues Kings (www.phillyblueskings.com) are the performers each week.

The Philly Blues King are a veteran outfit comprised of David Reiter on guitar, keyboards and vocals, Maci Miller on vocals, Bill Marconi on drums and vocals and Reilly on bass guitar. They have performed together for 15 years (except for Miller) and are the house band for Jamey’s House of Music. They are well known for tight, jazz inflected classic blues.

Reiter performs on a seven-string guitar and Reilly plays a fretless five string bass and that sets the group above the ordinary. The three veteran musicians have each spent decades playing the blues professionally and have backed many well-known national artists. Maci Miller, an internationally recognized jazz singer based in Philadelphia, joined the Blues Kings and quickly established herself as a top-flight front woman.

Video link for Philly Blues Kings — https://youtu.be/bAnBVLc7Wsg.

Video link for Maci Miller — https://youtu.be/D3ktSJTVxDs.

The show at Jamey’s House of Music on 12 will start at noon. Admission is free.

On July 8, Jamey’s will present Emily Adams.

One of seven kids from a military family, one thing Adams always knew was rebellion. Her family ended up making a permanent home in the Yucca Valley in California and life in the desert made her long for the city. She escaped into her father’s  vinyl collection. Dylan, Buddy Holly and Janis Joplin seeped into her soul and fed her dreams.

By age 12, Adams was teaching herself acoustic guitar and harmonica. When she picked up her first Fender Strat electric guitar she knew music would be her life.

After performing all over the Yucca Valley, her hometown crowd helped her on her quest to fulfill her dream. At age 17, Ted Quinn, an early, ardent supporter, hosted the “Send Emily Adams to NY Benefit Concert” at his venue, Beatnik Cafe Lounge in Joshua Tree. With money and confidence raised, she left home at 17 and moved to the New York metro area.

Adams spent the years since honing her songwriting, playing and singing. Adams is unfailingly honest in her music. Her focus is empowerment, catharsis and genuine connection with her audience. She recently released her debut album, “Betrayal.”

Video link for Emily Adams — https://youtu.be/V2vr4FGOvvg.

The show on July 8 at Jamey’s will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

On July 9, Jamey’s will host the “Jack Stanton CD Release Show.”

Stanton has been performing since the 1970s when he co-founded the Northeast Union Band with Pete Davis and Sepp Huber. Since then, he has played his music solo and in bands up and down the East Coast. A former finalist at the Telluride Songwriter’s Contest, he has spent the last several years honing his playing and writing skills. The result is a new full-length CD, “Almost Never There.”

In producing the CD, Stanton called on old high school friends, Pete Davis and Scott Herzog, and a few new ones too. He attributes his current productivity to the writing and reading he did while acquiring his MFA in creative writing from Rosemont College in 2014.

According to Stanton, “I finally began to see the potential in songs for a kind of flash fiction. It was a bit of an epiphany.”

He cites his more obvious influences — The Beatles and James Taylor — along with less likely ones, like Gary Burton, Steely Dan, and Zero 7.

“I listen to the most sophisticated music I can in hopes of a kind of melodic osmosis. The effect is subtle, but I think it helps.

I’m the definitive late bloomer. It took me the better part of a lifetime to mature into my craft, but it was worth it.”

In “Almost Never There,” Stanton often revisits episodes from his youth.

The show on July 8 at Jamey’s will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

On June 30, it will be time for the “Thursday Night Jazz Jam” featuring Geraldine Oliver. The Dave Reiter Trio lays down the backing for some out of this world jazz to happen from 8-10 p.m. every Thursday.

Jamey’s has started a popular “Guest Singer Series” featuring many of the best singers in the region performing a set from 7-8 p.m. with the backing of the Dave Reiter Trio and occasional guest musicians. The upcoming schedule is: July 7 – Lisa Chavous; July 21 – Lucas Beltran and his 5-piece orchestra; July 28 – Ella Gahnt; August 4 – Wendy Simon Sinkler; August 11 – Lorraine Barrett; August 18 – Greg Farnese; August 25 – Maci Miller; and October 6 and December 1 – Suzie Telep.

Lisa Chavous, who is one of the most respected jazz and blues singers in the Philadelphia music scene, is a Delaware County girl through and through.

She grew up in Sharon Hill and graduated from Darby Township High Schoool. She studied for a career in nursing at a hospital in Delaware County. Now, Chavous is a resident of Lansdowne.

Chavous has been singing her whole life.

“I started performing and singing in church when I was really young,” said Chavous. “The, my mom and dad managed me. Eventually, I got calls from agents. So, I started putting bands together – Lisa Chavous and Friends.”

In 1989 she began performing with the group Chapter One in banquet halls such as The Twelve Caesars and the Riviera Ballroom. In 1997 Lisa won first prize while competing in the Temple University jazz station talent contest sponsored by B&V outreach. In 1999 she began forming bands that performed for a variety of audiences. These ensembles eventually became known as Lisa Chavous and Friends.

“My first band was a jazz band. We played a lot of jazz clubs including the Blue Note in New York. I was on the jazz side for a while.

“We were really blessed with being able to book shows at country clubs in Delco. One night, the sax player couldn’t make the show. So, they sent another cat – and it was Byard Lancaster.”

The late, great Byard Lancaster was an alto saxophonist/flutist from Philadelphia who was part of the wave of free jazz inspired by John Coltrane. His music had many cultures in its DNA such as blues, reggae and Afrobeat and he lived in a variety of places including Chicago, France and Nigeria. But he always returned to jazz and his hometown.

After watching Chavous perform many years ago, Lancaster said, “I have recorded with Jonny Copeland, and have known Shemekia Copeland since she was a lttle girl, when I was on the road with her father. I’ve got to tell you the best female blues vocalist to come along since Shemekia is without a doubt, Lisa Chavous.”

This quote came from the musician who discovered Kevin Eubanks, the Roots, and Stanley Clarke.

“A couple years later, I ran into Byard at a blues festival in Media,” said Chavous. “He told me there was a blues band — the Philadelphia Blues Messengers –that needed a vocalist and asked if I wanted to go to Paris. That was in the early 2000s. He opened so many doors for me.

“For me, getting into the blues was a fluke. I was supposed to be going Motown and playing country clubs. Then, blues came in with Byard. I just became an icon in Philly as a blues singer. People wanted the blues and it never stopped. I realized – this music is me.”

Video link for Lisa Chavous – https://youtu.be/3N0iG_x7u44.

There is a $10 cover charge at the door for the “Thursday Night Jazz Jam.” The show will feature the guest singer from 7-8 p.m. and a jazz jam from 8-10 p.m.

The Crossing (www.crossingchoir.org) is an American professional chamber choir based in Philadelphia. The Crossing is conducted by Donald Nally and dedicated to new music. It is committed to working with creative teams to make and record new, substantial works for choir that explore and expand ways of writing for choir, singing in choir, and listening to music for choir.

Many of its nearly 120 commissioned premieres address social, environmental, and political issues. With a commitment to recording its commissions, The Crossing has issued 19 releases and received two Grammy Awards for Best Choral Performance (2018, 2019), and three Grammy nominations in as many years.

“It’s always called the ‘The Month of Moderns,’” said Nally, during a phone interview. “And it’s always in June except this year with the third concert scheduled for July.

This year’s schedule includes – “Month of Moderns 1: The Books of Color and of Never,” which was performed on June 11; “Month of Moderns 2: Unhistoric Acts,” which was scheduled for June 25 but was cancelled; and “Month of Moderns 3: The Book of Dawkins Songs,” which will be presented on July 8 at 7 p.m. at The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill (8855 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia).

“Month of Moderns 3: The Book of Dawkins Songs” features the world premiere of David Shapiro’s “Sumptuous Planet: A Secular Mass.”

A magnum opus on par with previous concert-length commissions (“Aniara,” “Anonymous Man,” “Hesperus is Phosphorus,” “A Native Hill,” “The Arc in the Sky”), David Shapiro’s “Sumptuous Planet: A Secular Mass” is an epic journey and a gift. Along the way, through the droll and brilliant observations of Richard Dawkins and Richard Feynman, the choir gets to sing words that are new to its voices: cheesemite, Krebs Cycle, mitochondria, mystic jelly, and perhaps most intriguing, altruism.

Shapiro’s new piece is a “bare cold facts” kind of a piece, wrapped up in music that is a romp and a celebration, at times movingly intimate, and at others dizzyingly tumbling toward the inevitable. And in each of its 16 movements, it is an attempt to understand the world that we live in.

As a special bonus, The Crossing will open this final concert of “The Month of Moderns 2022” with Tawnie Olson’s long-awaited (and originally scheduled for MoM 2) “Beloved of the Sky,” based on the thoughts and writings of Canadian artist Emily Carr. Words and music about color, process, imagination, and life.

Video link for The Crossing — https://youtu.be/7Z2rPWrOz9o.

Tickets are $35 General Admission, $25 Seniors and $20 Student Link.