The Connecticut Blues Society upcoming events

Acoustic Blues Café: Harmonica Edition-The River Room/CTBS Event (05/01/2026)

Fri, 01 May 2026 23:30:00 GMT

The CTBS and the River Room have partnered for a monthly Acoustic Blues series

Blues harmonica takes center stage - an intimate night of acoustic soul with Rich Badowski & Slim & St. George at The River Room!

Get ready for an unforgettable night of soulful sound and masterful musicianship at "The Acoustic Blues Café: Harmonica Edition" - a special showcase celebrating the expressive power of the harp.

Join us on Friday, May 1st at The River Room in Willimantic for an intimate evening of acoustic blues, roots, and Americana.

Doors open at 6:30 PM and music begins at 7:30 PM. This special event is co-sponsored by the Connecticut Blues Society, bringing together some of the region’s finest talent for a night dedicated to the blues tradition.

Opening the evening is Connecticut blues veteran Rich Badowski, performing a rare solo chromatic harmonica set. With decades of experience sharing stages with legends like Sonny Rhodes and Eddie Kirkland, Rich brings a deep well of musicality and storytelling to the stage. His dynamic style spans genres - from traditional blues to jazz, folk, and beyond - delivered with passion, precision, and a lifetime of performance experience.

Closing out the night are Slim & St. George, a powerhouse duo blending fiery blues guitar with soaring harmonica and soulful vocals. Featuring the electrifying guitar work of Michael St. George - known for his work with EasyBaby and other regional favorites - alongside the seasoned artistry of River City Slim, this duo delivers a high-energy yet deeply rooted set that draws from blues, Dylan, Marley, and Americana traditions. Expect a vibrant, genre-spanning performance that captures the spirit of the blues in its many forms.

Whether you're a lifelong blues fan or just looking for a unique and intimate live music experience, this is a night you won’t want to miss.

The 2026 CTBS Band Challenge-Finals (05/03/2026)

Sun, 03 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

The Finals winner will represent Connecticut in January 2027 at The International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN.
Our finalists are:
The Kingpins
The Regulators
Cliff Taylor &The Undertakers
Carl Ricci & 706 Union Ave.

This is a free CTBS sponsored event, so let's pack the place!
Black-eyed Sally's does take reservations in the music room as long as you are eating and/or drinking

CTBS Jam at The Chicken Shack featuring Willie J Laws (05/07/2026)

Thu, 07 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

From May through September, the CT Blues Society sponsors a Blues Jam at The Chicken Shack at The Farm at Carter Hill in Marlborough CT. The first jam in the 2026 series is Thursday May 7. The CTBS All-Stars (River City Slim, Phil Caron and Joey Primo) are the house band with our featured artist - the legendary Boston-area guitarist Willie J. Laws. The Chicken Shack is a rustic barn setting, with tables indoors and huge side doors that open to a field for outdoor seating. Musicians bring your instruments - amps, drums, keyboards and PA are provided. Come out to play with some of the best Blues musicians in CT.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2091894584991014

CTBS Jam at The Chicken Shack featuring Matt Swanton (06/04/2026)

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

From May through September, the CT Blues Society sponsors a Blues Jam at The Chicken Shack at The Farm at Carter Hill in Marlborough CT. The next jam in the series is Thursday June 4. The CTBS All-Stars (River City Slim, Phil Caron and Joey Primo) are the house band with our featured artist - the dynamic young Boston-area guitarist Matt Swanton. The Chicken Shack is a rustic barn setting, with tables indoors and huge side doors that open to a field for outdoor seating. Musicians bring your instruments - amps, drums, keyboards and PA are provided. Come out to play with some of the best Blues musicians in CT.

https://www.facebook.com/events/902265229446401

The CTBS Presents-Jason Ricci at Black-Eyed Sally's (06/18/2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Jason Ricci is one of the most influential, recorded, celebrated, interviewed and famous harmonica players working in the world today. His New Orleans-based band is touring to support the release of a brand new recording on Gulf Coast Records and The Blue Highway Agency has partnered with The CT Blues Society and Black-Eyed Sally's to bring Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind to Hartford.

Ricci has appeared as a guest harmonica player on albums with Johnny Winter, Ana Popovic, Joe Louis Walker, Cedric Burnside, Walter Trout, Mike Zito, JP Soars, Nick Moss, Peter Karp, Nick Curran, The Mannish Boys, Too Slim and The Tail Draggers, Walter Trout and many many more. Ricci has toured or professionally played shows with John Fohl, The Iguanas, Damon Fowler, Pappa Mali, Walter Trout, Nick Moss, JP Soars, Mike Zito, Eric Johanson, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Anders Osborne, Joe Krown and more…

CTBS Solo/Duo Challenge Competition 2026 (06/28/2026)

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

The annual Connecticut Blues Society will be held at The Pine Loft on June 28th 2026. The winner will represent the CTBS in Memphis TN in January 2027 at the International Blues Challenge.

This is a free event and opened to the public.

CTBS Jam at The Chicken Shack featuring Chris Vitarello (08/06/2026)

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT

From May through September, the CT Blues Society sponsors a Blues Jam at The Chicken Shack at The Farm at Carter Hill in Marlborough CT. The next jam in the series is Thursday August 6. The CTBS All-Stars (River City Slim, Phil Caron and Joey Primo) are the house band with our featured artist - ace guitarist Chris Vitarello. Chris currently tours with The Darrell Nulisch Band, Vanessa Collier and Diane Blue and leads his own local band The Brew Masters. The Chicken Shack is a rustic barn setting, with tables indoors and huge side doors that open to a field for outdoor seating. Musicians bring your instruments - amps, drums, keyboards and PA are provided. Come out to play with some of the best Blues musicians in CT.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1718140586018553

CTBS Jam at The Chicken Shack featuring Steve Balkun (09/03/2026)

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 22:00:00 GMT

From May through September, the CT Blues Society sponsors a Blues Jam at The Chicken Shack at The Farm at Carter Hill in Marlborough CT. The final jam in the 2026 series is Thursday September 3. The CTBS All-Stars (River City Slim, Phil Caron and Joey Primo) are the house band with our featured artist - ace guitarist Steve Balkun. Steve currently tours with The balkun Brothers as well as solo shows as 'Thumb-Bone'. The Chicken Shack is a rustic barn setting, with tables indoors and huge side doors that open to a field for outdoor seating. Musicians bring your instruments - amps, drums, keyboards and PA are provided. Come out to play with some of the best Blues musicians in CT.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2512602179142904