Blues on Bank Festival June 29 & 30 at The Hygienic

New London, CT – This weekend the Hygienic on Bank St. hosts the annual Blues on Bank Festival. This is a two-day event with some truly meaningful and entertaining blues legends on the bill. Gates open at 3 PM on Saturday and the bands start promptly at 330 PM. Admission is $20 per day but only $30 for a two-day pass.

Tix here: https://www.hygienic.org/event/blues-on-bank/?fbclid=IwAR0flxgBY1fN_TS-EisdUKQnkd0Ty0KlI4C-pvtV9EIljXPPK6aSLASMzhA

Saturday is a solid block of entertainers leading up to a jam-packed final set featuring Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin reuniting with his Muddy Waters Band cohort Jerry Portnoy. New England Queen of the Blues Toni Lynn Washington and Mr. Nick David round out the special guests to be accompanied by the Chris Leigh Band. Chris’ band had the chance to back Bob Margolin last summer and they hope to catch more lightning in their bottle this Saturday night. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9qvjXHfSL8 Margolin is most known for his appearance in the documentary, The Last Waltz in which he jammed with Muddy Waters and The Band. One would be remiss to mention that Jerry Portnoy graduated from the Muddy Waters Band to a long hitch in Eric Clapton’s band. Toni Lyn Washington’s career has spanned over five decades with many high-points. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iwuOHLGYWg Mr. Nick delivers high energy harp with a nod to his mentor, Paul DeLay and other West Coast harp masters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lUQGBsyLPs

Sunday’s program kicks off at 230 PM and wraps up at 7 PM but all three bands are stellar. Ilana Katz Katz doesn’t just fiddle around, she adds strings to some of the best blues recordings being produced today. Willie J. Laws is a solid vocalist and guitarist who is in wide demand here in the U.S. and abroad. Closing out the festival is Neal Vitullo and the Vipers. The Vipers exude energy from the word go. Their repertoire is seemingly endless. Every Neal and the Vipers show is a guaranteed good time.

All ages / 21+ to drink

Advance tickets: $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday, $30 Both nights

Saturday:

Gates open at 3:00

3:30-4:30pm Dr. G and the Believers

5:00-6:00pm Lisa Marie & John Juxo

6:30-7:30pm Paul Gabriel Blues Band

8:00-9:00pm Bobby T and the Allstars

9:30-11:00pm Bob Margolin backed by the Chris Leigh Band with special guests: Jerry Portnoy, Toni Lynn Washington and Mr. Nick

Sunday:

Gates open at 2:00

2:30 - 3:30 Ilana Katz Katz

4:00 - 5:00 The Willie J. Laws Band

5:30 - 7:00 Neal & The Vipers

About Jim Carty: Mr. Carty produced and hosted blues, jazz and American roots radio shows in Boston and Pittsburgh. He booked legendary acts such as Jay Geils, Big Jack Johnson, Alvin "Youngblood" Hart, Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin to name a few. As a concert producer he has worked with members of the Allman Brothers, Guns and Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bad Company, Chuck Berry, Alice Cooper, Kiss and many others. Jim was proudly tapped as the host of the Centennial Celebration of the Blues at Tanglewood. He spent several years as an Old Lyme resident in his youth and he has recently returned home to the Connecticut Shoreline. Contact at: jcbc93@gmail.com