BLUES FESTIVAL

Probably, BLUESTOCK will the biggest blues festival in the East Coast. As the name suggestes it will be the WOODSTOCK for the blues. Set to happen on Hunter Mountain in upstate New York the event will go from August 26 to 28 2011. There will be camping area and more than 20 bands. Artists such as Buddy Guy, Greag Allman, Elvin Bishop, Curtis Salgado and Rick Estrin are already confirmed. The event management promissed that will be 3 days non stop music, during the day at on of the 3 stages and at night in the local bars. This is a must go for all the blues lovers.

MUSTANG GRILL JAM

Mustang Grill

Located at 1633 on 2nd ave this jam it is hosted by an amazing guitar player and singer John Putnam. The Jam happens every Wednesday and starts at 8pm. There is very good mexican food and the prices are reasonable. Get there early to caugth John performing believe me you won't regrat.

SUGAR BAR JAM

Located in the upper west side on 254 W 72st. This cosy and chaming place is a hot spot for celebrities such as Bruce Wills, Eddie Murphy, Steve Wonder, Michael Douglas had visited the bar for the great food and outstanding jam. The Jam happens Tuesdays and starts at 8pm hosted by the Back Alley Band that is the most soulfull jam in the City. Enjoy the video attached  to check how the Blues Jam in the Sugar Bar looks like.

THE GRISLEY PEAR JAM

Hosted by the legendary Big Ed Sulivan this jam happens at 104  Macdugal st in the Village. It starts at 9pm and goes until the bar closes. Sometimes there is not enough time to everybody play so musicians have to cut out short and play only 2 songs. Great name of the blues scene appear there. Click on the link above to check a performance at the jam.

BLUES JAM IN NYC

Jam sessions is a important part to the blues scene in the USA and so it is in the New York scenario. There is many cool jams you can go no only to play but also to enjoy really good blues. Sometimes if you like you might even see some famous musician laying down the blues.

The jam session format is very simple. A band open up the night playing for about 30 min at the mean time the guest musician write their names and instruments they play in a board so after the opening act is over they will be called in groups big enough to form a band that will play 3 songs. It is amazing that people that sometimes never met before are able to make such a good music within 5 min of preparation. That is the power of the BLUES.Monday jam happens at THE GRISLEY BEAR with Ed Sullivan,  Tuesday you can enjoy at Sugar Bar hosted by the Back Alley band. Wednesdays John Putnam hostes a jam at the Mustang Grill on the East side. I will make comments about each one of the jam in future posts

BRAINS BACKYARD BBQ

Brains Backyard BBQ

In Midlletown, NY there is a great place to dig some good blues and great food known as Brain's Backyard BBQ and Blues. It is hard to dedide what is better there the food. the music or the layback atmosphere. Although it is a little far form the Manhatan action Braian's Backyard BBQ is worth the trip. For more info visit http://www.brainsbackyardbbq.com/

THE TURNING POINT CAFE



THE TURNING POINT MAIN ENTRACE



All the way up in the small and charming little town called Piermont in NY there is this very cosy place named THE TURNING POINT.With its screened porch, woodstove, bright quilts, wainscoting and gleaming wood floors, the restaurant is full of old-fashioned charm. Down a few steps, the cafe and ample bar is crowded four or five times a week for performances Great nacional such as John Mayall, Jr Wells, Robert Cray performed there already. The food is terrific and the staff very nice.Eventhough Piermont it is close to the  Tappan Zee Brigde it is possible to get there with public tranportantion. Many people go there for a weekend get a way to enjoy the beauty of this little town and caugh for good show at the TURNING POINT. Visit the web site http://www.turningpoint.com/ and the info about the perfomance and places to stay around the area.



Performace area



DINOSAUR BBQ

Dinossaur BBQ

Looks like blues music and the BBQ  for some reason come together. Located at 125th st and 12th ave in Harlem this charming place is an musical gastronomic orgy. The BBQ there has been nationally acclaimed as some of the best in the country. With a decoration mix of roadhouse and barn this charming establishment attracts a big crowd everyday for the delicious food. Dinosaur BBQ has live music Friday and Saturday. Check more about it at the http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/

BAR 55

Bar 55 entrace

Bar 55 is located at Christopher st number 55. This is a tiny little place in the Greenwich Village the staff is really nice and the prices are very affordable for NYC standars. They feature more jazz then blues. Always with 2 bands per night they bring the best in the Blues and Jazz in New York City. Monday through Thursday the early show begin at 7pm and the late show starts at 10. Friday and Saturday the early show begins at 6 pm and late show starts as 10. Check out more about this cute little place at http://www.bar55.com/

THE BLUES RADIO IN NEW YORK

Located on the left side of the dial 89.1 fm WFDU is the blues radio station to be heard in the city. WFDU broadcasts an extense variaty of program covering all the styles of blues and roots music; in fact, they bring more than just great music to your ears. This radio station it is a source of information of the blues scene. Keep tunned to get to know which bands are performing in the city and what is the hottes spots for live blues music. Also, you can listen to them on line trough the web site http://www.wfdu.edu/ .

THE HARMONICA BLOW OUT

Since I am a harmonica player myself, I consider this is event a must see show. Once a year, Mark Hummel puts together the biggest names of the blues harmonica and produces the finnest event for the blues lovers and specially for people like me that appreciate the sound of a harmonica. In New York City the Harmonica Blow Out happens at BB King's Blues Club. Usually with four guests Mark Hummel and his band play classics of the blues and fineshes the meeting with a super harmonica jam. Visit Mark Hummel's  web site to check when is the Harmonica  Blow Out going to happen in New York City again. http://www.markhummel.com/  or you can check the video link of one of the editions of the Harmonica Blow Out.

TWO BOOTS

Two Boots

The home of good music and great food in Brooklyn. Located in the fancy Park Slope area, Two Boots is a mix of Louisiana Mardi Grass party with the glamour of a Italian restaurant. In a cadle light atmosphere, this trendy restaurant serves delicius meals and amazing drinks. Live music happens Fridays and Saturdays and there is never a cover charge, besides the good old blues Two Boots presents styles like bluegrass, Country, Jazz and Rock. The staff is awsome and the food is fantastic. Good in a warm day and enjoy your food and drinks in their nice patio. For extra info check thier web site http://www.twobootsbrooklyn.com/.

     

DELTA GRILL

Delta Grill

Delta Grill is located in the heart of the Hell's Kitchen in New York City. Known by not only the down home south comfortable atmosphere, but also delicious food. If you are looking for that Cajun Creole food that is the place to go. Owners Tom Burns and Tom Sullivan envisioned a classic Louisiana roadhouse eatery with superior food and a welcoming atmosphere. Come in for a happy hour hurricane or an Abita Louisiana beer or join us for some live music on weekend nights and Sunday brunch.  You will never feel far from Louisiana at The Delta! They have live American roots music  Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check about them at http://www.thedeltagrill.com/

HILL COUNTRY: FOOD TO YOUR MOUTH AND MUSIC TO YOUR EARS

Hill Country

Hill Country is a very peculiar place, because customers are able to savor delicious southern food and enjoy great  music. In a bi-level facility Hill Country can seats 250 people. The legendary Texas BBQ attracts most of the customers and the live music became a special desert. Great musicians have performed at this venue. Even though most of the bands play country style, Hill Country has feature a lot of blues groups as well. All the staff wear cowboy boots and hats which  makes the atmosphere an authentic southern joint. You can check more about this venue at http://www.hillcountry.com/

Stage Area

RODEO BAR: THE ROADHOUSE IN THE CITY




Rodeo Bar

 

Rodeo Bar is the New York City longest  running Honky Tonk venue. With a charming decoration inspired on the Austin's rodahouses, this lay back place serves good food, has free live music and peanut shells crunching beneath your feet. They have the nicest bar tenders in New York and best of all, drinks are tip. Music happens 7 days a week at Rodeo Bar and styles range between country, blues, rockabilly and swing country. Once you are inside you will believe that you are in Texas. Check their web site at http://www.rodeobar.com/



Bar Area



BB KING BLUES CLUB



Main Entrace

Usually Times Square is associated with Broadway shows and tourist gift shops. Well, believe it  or not on  42nd st right in front of that famous Mac Donald's store you will find BB KING'S, the biggest blues club in New York City. Named after the legendary guitar player who became known because of his soul full voice. BBKING'S has two separated rooms the main stage which  is reserved for big concerts and Lucille's  a more intimate space.  Many blues players with international recognition have played in this stage. At the main stage you can enjoy different styles of music. Sundays there is Gospel concert and every 15 days they feature a Beatles tribute called Strawberry Fields. Admission vary according to who is performing. At the Lucille's room there is blues 7 days of the week with local bands.There is no admission charge for Lucill'es. Even though the staff is very friendly drinks and food are a little pricey. For more info you can check at http://www.bbkingblues.com/.



Main Stage







Lucille's Bar

 

THE BLUES TEMPLE IN NEW YORK CITY

















Located at Bleecker st in the hear of West  Village,Terra Blues is the best and most authentic blues club in New York City. A block a way you can see the blue letters in the bar's porch. The closer you get the louder you  will hear  the door  man  screaming " live blues, come on in, live blues". Performances starts at 7pm with a solo artist usually playing guitar and singing witch is very appropriate since the atmosphere is in candle lights. At 10pm the band plugs in the and starts to perform classic of blues that range from Southern to Chicago style. Great musicians  such as Steve Guyger, Bod Radcliff, Jr. Mac and Bill Sims have been playing there regularly. Drinks and food are not expensive for Manhattan standers. The staff is very friendly and the admisson ranges from 20 to 50 dollares depending on who is playing. Terra Blues is a small venue so be there early keep drinking and enjoy the music. You can check more about it at http://www.terrablues.com/