Dear Blues Fan,

June wrapped up with the Road to Memphis, Local IBC Challenge. The day was infused with non-stop talent comprised of performances by six acts in the band category, and two acts in the solo/duo category. Congratulations to our winners -- BLUES People (band category) and Ed Alstrom (solo/duo category) who will be headed to Memphis in January 2025 to represent the North Jersey Blues Society at The Blues Foundation's 40th International Blues Challenge. Supporting this event were numerous partners and volunteers -- thanks to the judging panel (Debra Devi, Mike Foti, Arthur Neilson, and Dean Shot); thanks to Ro Stafa for stage managing and emceeing the event, as well as filling in with a wonderful acoustic set due to a last-minute cancellation; thanks to The Stanhope House staff for the hospitality and to Clark Paddock for coordinating and providing sound for all of the sets. Special shout out to our sponsor, Fuchs Audio Technology, for providing the backline, as well as to Ritchie's Music for the drum kit. And of course, thanks to the blues community for coming out and supporting the event!

Chillin' on hot summer nights, dancing barefoot in the grass, and vibing to some blues music. July brings multiple outdoor events -- from the Sparta Summer Concert Series kicking off July 5th with Dustin Douglas and The Electric Gentlemen with The Outcrops to the Woodbridge Wednesdays featuring Taj Farrant on July 17th to the Bucks County Blues Fest on July 20th. July also brings multiple indoor events -- Grammy-nominated Tony O with B-Ro & Friends will be at The Stanhope House on July 12th, the Clinton Blues Fest at the Clinton Elks Lodge on July 13th, Mark Hummel at The Turning Point on July 19th, and BMA and IBC winner Tas Cru will be at Montclair Brewery on July 21st.

July also brings the release of the Jersey Blues Collection CD produced by the North Jersey Blues Society. This release features 16 songs from NJBS member bands. All sales of the CD will go to a Musician Emergency Fund. Please consider supporting this effort - donations start @ $10. The CD can be purchased at any NJBS event, select NJBS band member events or via the NJBS website.

If you haven't heard, Popa Chubby recently underwent back surgery and is beginning the long road to recovery. The North Jersey Blues Society and Jersey Jazz and Blues Foundation are organizing a benefit on July 27th at Crossroads in Garwood—more details to follow. In the meantime, please consider donating to the GoFundMe.

Until next month, stay safe and continue to support live music!

Peace,

Cristy Benvenutti, President

Chicago blues is the lifeblood of a multitude of musicians today, but only a few have a pedigree handed down directly from the masters. And, although you might not know him, New York City-based guitarist/harmonica player Tony O stands out from the crowd. After all, who else still playing the music today got his stage name directly from Howlin’ Wolf himself?

Born Anthony Melio and best known for his membership in the final incarnation of the Legendary Blues Band, the ensemble that formed after splitting from Muddy Waters, Big Apple native Tony’s first exposure to the founding fathers of the Windy City sound came in his early teens. Grammy-nominated Tony O will be performing at The Stanhope House on July 12th - tickets are on sale now.

Cru is most known as a blues artist but his songs show that he is truly a roots music eclectic who refuses to be bound to any one genre. Based out of Central New York he performs in multiple formats ranging from a six-piece backing band to solo acoustic. He sings and plays a wide variety of guitars - at home on either electric, acoustic, resonator or cigar box and is known to sprinkle in a bit of harmonica from time to time. Tas made his mark in the blues world as the founder and host of his Tas Cru Annual Rum Boogie Jam (2008 – 2023) at the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis He is a recipient of the Blues Foundation's prestigious Keeping the Blues Alive Award. Tas tours extensively throughout the US and international touring includes Europe and Canada. Tas will be performing at Montclair Brewery on July 21st - tickets on sale now.

North Jersey Blues Society is proud to officially announce our newest board member and Vice President of Education, Charlie Apicella. President Cristy Bacon Benvenutti has been preparing grants to offer New Jersey public schools workshops and performance opportunities to meet our goals of community engagement and education and hopes to connect with schools all over NJ with Charlie’s help.

Charlie has developed a social studies and music program called Blues Alive which has been collaborating with student artists in New York City schools.

Along with American music legends Juma Sultan and Avery Sharpe, Charlie, Cuban conga master Mayra Casales, and their curriculum development team have created an innovative, engaging, and impactful workshop and assembly program. 

Blues Alive is a one of a kind social studies curriculum taught by Charlie and the elder master musicians, the Griots, which utilizes the true roots of America’s classical music art form, Blues. The methodology emphasizes call and response, the oral tradition, apprenticeship, and direct collaboration with the master musicians to amplify every student artist’s voice as an important individual member of an ensemble.

Midnight Bluze - 24 hours a day/7 days a week

Carrot Time Music - Tuesdays, 9 am to Noon 

Trevor B Power Radio Show - Thursdays, 7 pm to 9 pm

Every Mon - Joe Taino Open Blues Jam, Stitch Bar & Blues, New York, NY

Every Tues - Dean Shot Pro Level Blues Jam, Great Notch Inn, Little Falls, NJ

Every Tues - NY Blues Rockets w/Seth Okrend, Sour Mouse, New York, NY

Every Wed - Dave Fields Blues Jam, Orange Tavern, Paramus, NJ

7/11 - The Powertones Open Mic Night, Cypress Tavern, Kinnelon, NJ

7/14 - Blues Jam w/Tony Sky, Edenville General Store, Warwick, NY

7/28 - Snakeman Blues Jam, The Pattenburg House, Asbury, NJ

7/31 - B-Ro Blues Jam, Crossroads, Garwood, NJ

7/1 - Regina Bonelli, Rock Harbor Brewing Co., Rockland, ME

7/3 - Regina Bonelli, Colony, Woodstock, NY

7/3 - Seth Okrend, Stitch Bar & Blues, New York, NY

7/4 - Nitro Blues Band, Great Notch, Little Falls, NJ

7/5 - Big Frank/Mike Smith, Beal Bocht Cafe, Bronx, NY

7/5 - Cold In Hand, Shillelagh Pub, West Orange, NJ

7/5 - The Outcrops & Dustin Douglas, Dykstra Park, Sparta, NJ

7/6 - Charlie Apicella & Iron City, Triumph Brewing Co., Redbank, NJ

7/12 - Brad Vickers & His Vestapolitans, Shrine, New York NY

7/12 - Trevor B Power Band, Donaldson Farms, Hackettstown, NJ

7/12 - Nitro Blues Band, Williams Center, Rutherford, NJ

7/13 - The Fabulous Rhythm Aces, French Oak Bar & Grill, Oakland, NJ

7/13 - Fish Eyed Blues, Ocean County Fair, Bayville, NJ

7/13 - Mechanic Street Blues Project, Cypress Tavern, Kinnelon, NJ

7/14 - Big Frank/Mike Smith, 55 Alpine Ave, Staten Island, NY

7/14 - Debra Devi, The Nest (House Concert)

7/14 - Dean Shot Duo, River of Beer, Bloomingdale, NJ

7/14 - The Incinerators, West End Park, Long Branch, NJ

7/14 - Trevor B Power Band, The Stanhope House, Stanhope, NJ

7/16 - The Powertones, Long Valley Town, Long Valley, NJ

7/17 - The Outcrops & Taj Farrant, Parker Press Park, Woodbridge, NJ

7/18 - Andy Lackow & Mess Around, Tierney's Tavern, Montclair, NJ

7/19 - Billy Hector Band & Johnny Charles, Dykstra Park, Sparta, NJ

7/19 - The Powertones, KC's Korner, South Plainfield, NJ

7/20 - Fish Eyed Blues, Backward Flag Brewing Co., Forked River, NJ

7/20 - Mechanic Street Blues Project, French Oak Bar & Grill, Oakland, NJ

7/20 - The Powertones, McLoone's Boat House, West Orange, NJ

7/20 - The Tad Schaefer Band, Blue Moon, South Amboy, NJ

7/21 - Fish Eyed Blues, American Legion, Union Beach, NJ

7/21 - NJBS Blues & Brews: Tas Cru, Montclair Brewery, Montclair, NJ

7/21 - Son Lewis Acoustic Solo, Factory Records, Dover, NJ

7/22 - Nitro Blues Band, Seahorse, Asbury Park, NJ

7/24 - Fish Eyed Blues, Headliner Oasis, Neptune City, NJ

7/25 - New Watchdog Blues Band, Memorial Park, Little Falls, NJ

7/25 - Shadetree Mechanics, Downtown Freehold Concert, Freehold, NJ

7/27 Popa Chubby Benefit, Crossroads, Garwood, NJ

7/27 - Andy Lackow & Mess Around, Shillelagh Pub, West Orange, NJ

7/27 - Debra Devi, Betsey's Backyard, Northfield, NJ

7/27 - Mechanic Street Blues Project, Lake Edenwold Assoc, Butler, NJ

7/27 - Charlie Apicella & Iron City, Triumph Brewery, Red Bank, NJ

7/27 - The Powertones, Lentini Farms, Newton, NJ

7/28 - Big Frank/Mike Smith, Applewood Winery, Warwick, NY

7/29 - Fish Eyed Blues, Seaside Park Summer Concert Series, Seaside Park, NJ