Johnny A Brings Unparalleled Guitar Virtuosity to The Kate

Old Saybrook, CT – The Kate welcomes national treasure and guitar virtuoso Johnny A to its stage on Thursday October 3, 2019. Johnny’s current passion is the presentation of the British Rock Songbook played on his signature Gibson guitar. Johhny A Demos Signature Guitar Only the most revered and talented musicians are tapped to work with the Gibson Custom Shop to devise an instrument that can fulfill the requirements of a guitar master like Johnny A. As a former Bostonian I have had the pleasure of watching Johnny perform scores of shows. No matter the line-up or band configuration, the man with the six string in his hands simply lures you into his musical vortex containing clean single note runs, gorgeous chord melodies and tasteful arrangements of timeless material.

Over the years Johnny A played with a who’s who including Peter Wolf (J. Geils Band), the Yardbirds, Charlie Farren, Jon Butcher, members of Aerosmith, James Montgomery, Joe Bonamassa and so many other luminaries. In my latest chat with Johnny he pointed out that his release on Steve Vai’s record label initiated a long over-due boost in visibility within the music industry. The handful of guitarists in the same breath as Vai and Johnny A are few, yet their fans recognize their unique skill and they support these deserving artists year in and out.

Johnny A tours nationally yet he is part of the fabric of the New England music scene. I recall the evening Johnny headlined an all-star revue at the House of Blues Foundation Room. Aerosmith and the mighty J. Geils Band wrapped up an epic Fenway concert and then folks in the know headed across Lansdowne St to watch Johnny A and friends kick the celebration of Boston’s music scene into fifth gear. Johnny A at Boston House of Blues VIP Event Johnny A HOB Boston VIP 2

In 2010 Johnny won “Best Blues Act” at the Boston Music Awards. He tore into a high energy set that evening that overshadowed all other performances in all genres. Johnny A Boston Music Awards 2010 The show at The Kate will most assuredly include a fair number of Beatles tunes like this gem of a video from a more recent Boston Music Awards show. Johnny A Does The Beatles

I urge fans of blues, jazz, instrumental rock guitar and the British Invasion bands to catch Johnny A live at The Kate. Kasim Sulton opens the show and plans to join Johnny A for a couple tunes as well. Mr. Sulton has worked with Joan Jett, Hall & Oates, Cheap Trick and many other fine rock bands. Tickets may be purchased here: Buy Johnny A Tix at The Kate Here

About Jim Carty: Mr. Carty has 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, Ronnie Earl, 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