Kootenay Blues Society presents Rick Estrin and The Nightcats
By Contributor
Blues Music Award-winning, Alligator recording artists, RICK ESTRIN and THE NIGHTCATS — from San Francisco — are making a swing through the Kootenays on their way from the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival to the Edmonton Blues Festival and the Kootenay Blues Society was able to entice them to visit our slice of paradise here in the Kootenays in between dates.
Actually, it didn’t take much of an arm twist, but we are extremely grateful that they agreed to pay us a visit for a couple of nights because this is a band you do not want to miss! This is world-class blues at its finest! They provide a show that is unprecedented in the blues world. Or any world, for that matter.
They will be at the Balfour Beach Inn on Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. and Finley’s in Nelson on Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are $35 and are on sale at the venues, Eddy Music in Nelson (cash only at Eddy’s) and are available online at www.kootenaybluessociety.com
Rick Estrin is a Grammy-nominated songwriter who has written songs for Koko Taylor, Robert Cray and John Hammond and won seven — yes, 7 — Blues Music Awards, including: Instrumentalist of the Year and Song of the Year.
He has played with the legendary Muddy Waters, Sam Lay and Eddie Taylor. The band has toured worldwide, won the prestigious Blues Music Award for Band of the Year (twice) and is one of the most highly entertaining and musically fearless bands on the blues scene today. On stage, the band’s ability to deliver a no-holds-barred show is unmatched.
Forbes called them “America’s greatest musical showmen” and said “Estrin is a world-class musician … the most colorful and entertaining showman around.”
The band was first formed in 1976 as Little Charlie and The Nightcats (with the much beloved guitar virtuoso — and no stranger to the Kootenays — Charlie Baty (Little Charlie) on guitar. Kid Anderson has taken Charlie’s place on the six string and steps up to the plate quite nicely.
RICK ESTRIN and THE NIGHTCATS are now comprised of Rick Estrin on vocals and harmonica; Kid Anderson (Charlie Musselwhite Band) on guitar and vocals; Lorenzo Farrell (Elvin Bishop Band) on piano and organ; Derrick D’Mar Martin (Little Richard’s drummer for 17 years) on drums.
“Rick Estrin is one of the great characters in blues — a sharp dressing, smooth talking, harmonica playing hep’ cat.“ Philadelphia Inquirer
“Rick Estrin and The Nightcats are one of the best blues bands in the world.“ Rock and Blues Muse
