Live blues music in Detroit

Matthew Ball

Typically, the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings’ Night-notes concert series is not a haven for the blues. But, on Friday, the series will feature pianist Matthew Ball, who will tickle the ivories for “Boogie-Night-notes” at Hagopian World of Rugs, 850 S. Old Woodward, in Birmingham.

Ball left his career as an attorney to become a boogie-woogie pianist  after he was moved by the music while attending the Motor City Blues & Boogie-Woogie Festival in 2001.

On Friday, Ball will perform popular selections from early American blues and boogie-woogie piano masters, including Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson, Meade "Lux" Lewis, Professor Longhair, Dr John, James Booker, Otis Spann, and Jack Fina.

A reception begins at 8 p.m. with the music starting at 8:30. Discounted advance tickets are $22 for adults and $10 for students, and can be purchased online at www.detroitchamberwinds.org, or by calling (248) 559-2095. Admission will also be available at the door for an additional $5 per ticket.

To see a video of Matthew Ball performing, click here.

Here’s a quick look at some other shows set for the Detroit area this week:

Tonight, catch Midnight Run at the Blue Goose Inn, 28911 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores (586-296-0950). On Thursday, the Blue Goose hosts the Johnny Rhoades Band. Lil’ Stubby and the Disappointments take over at the Blue Goose on Friday and Saturday.

Also on Friday, the Delta Five Blues Band is at All That Jazz River Club, 8900 E. Jefferson, Detroit (313-331-1012); and Elektryk Gypsy is at Nancy Whiskey’s, 2644 Harrison in Detroit (313-962-4247).

On Saturday, the Detroit Blues Society Monthly Meeting and Jam is at Kelly’s Bar, 2403 Holbrook in Hamtramck. Rockin’ blues band 7^th Veil hosts.

Also Saturday, The Rockafellas are at The Phoenix Café, 24918 John R in Hazel Park (248-667-8817), $5 cover; The Hatchetmen and The Blue Collar Boys perform at Dylan’s Raw Bar, 15402 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe;  Champagne and The Motor City Blues Crew are at Bert’s, 2727 Russell St. in Detroit (313-567-2030); and the Howard Glazer & Bob Godwin Duo are at The Bar, 224 S. Main St. in Milford (248-685-7300).

Carl Henry performs a daytime gig at 1 p.m. Saturday at Butcher's Inn, 1489 Winder St. in Detroit (313-394-0120).

On Sunday, Jim McCarty and Mystery Train are at the Blue Goose; and The Dave Dionise Group performs at Soul Jazz Sunday at the Cadieux Café, 4300 Cadieux in  Detroit (313-882-8560). For some unique fun, call early and reserve a featherbowling lane.