Each Wednesday and Sunday evening at 8 p.m. “Live At The Linda” brings you some of the best musical acts to grace the stage at The Linda - WAMC's Performing Arts Studio. This week features a set from Jackie Venson from 2019 and Guy Davis from 2014.
Originally a classical pianist, Jackie Venson picked up the guitar shortly after graduating from Berklee College of Music, and made the giant leap from the traditions of classical music to the raw and gritty style of blues. Enthralled with music since the age of 8, this young singer/songwriter/musician instantly captures your attention with a vibrant musical soul and passionate control of her guitar. Jackie mindfully blends blues, rock, R&B, soul and more to create a sound that’s both extremely unique and completely captivating. Now, when live, Jackie is one of those artists who can fully engage audiences with a fairly stripped down setup. As she explains in the broadcast tonight, she uses a series of recorded loops (both pre-recorded and recorded on the fly) to create a lush and full soundscape- all of which she produces herself. Just listen for it. Jackie recently released the love suite, which was originally written and recorded over two years ago. She’s been performing songs from it, and sometimes in its entirety, ever since. The songs became fan favorites and she dropped the album in February. Jackie’s sound is augmented by the drumming prowess of her longtime drummer Rodney Hyder. So enjoy Jackie Venson, recorded live at The Linda on October 16, 2019.
Guy Davis once said, “I like antiques and old things, old places that still have the dust of those who’ve gone before us lying upon them.” Blowing that dust off just enough to see its beauty is something Guy has excelled at for over twenty years of songwriting and performing. It’s no wonder his reverence for the music of the blues masters who’ve gone before him has been clear and present in every album he’s ever recorded, and in every concert he’s given. Guy’s musical storytelling and musical style is influenced by artists like Blind Willie Mctell, Big Bill Broonzyand, and Lightnin’ Hopkins. However, there’s one man that Guy most credits for his harmonica techniques, by stealing and crediting from him everything that he could, and that man is the legendary Sonny Terry. Guy came to our venue on the heels of his 2013 release “Juba Dance,” produced in Italy by Fabrizio Poggi. As always he combines modern with traditional blues, the somber and the celebratory. Since his visit Guy has been continuing his mission to spread the blues around the world, and has lately been doing more teaching. Guy’s new album “Be Ready When I Call You” will be released this June. So enjoy Guy Davis, recorded live at The Linda on January 17th, 2014.
Join us here next week at the same time for our broadcast of Paa Kow from June 2019 and Mamadou Kelly from October 2018. Speaking of Paa Kow, on Saturday, June 19th we welcome live audiences back to The Linda in a joyous celebration featuring Paa Kow and his Afro-Fusion Orchestra. Tickets at the linda.org.
Over the past year The Linda has hosted virtual concerts featuring out home grown capital region musicians is a series called “Open for Take-Out.”
But come July, "Open for Take-Out" transforms from virtual to actual with the announcement of the “Open for Business Concert Series,” with live audiences once again invited back to The Linda. I’ll be there to host, weekly starting in July through September. We’ll have the best live and local performers playing The Linda stage, along with some special guests. Join us for Open for Business.
First up:
The NoLaNauts – July 9
Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys – July 15
Wild Adriatic – July 22
Doctor Baker – July 29
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