On Wednesday, JJ Grey & Mofro celebrate the release of their new CD, “Georgia Warhorse” (Alligator), with a show at The Ark, 316 S. Main St. in Ann Arbor.
Grey (pictured) comes from a long line of Southern storytellers. His original songs are steeped in the R&B, rock and country soul of his backwoods home outside Jacksonville, Fla. “Georgia Warhorse” is named after the resilient Southern lubber grasshopper.
“Yellow and black, and tough like an old-school Tonka toy,” Grey said in a press release. “They seem so at ease with the world. Nothing seems to rile them. They’re in no hurry, but they have a kind of resilience because they just keep coming back, and I’ve always felt there was a lesson in there for me to learn.”
Daryl Hance opens. Tickets are $22. For info, call (734) 761-1800 ext. 26 or click www.theark.org.
On Tuesday, enjoy the Phil Devoid Jam at the Blue Goose, 28911 Jefferson in St. Clair Shores (586-296-0950). The Blue Goose has been a longtime home to the blues and the jam is listed as “the longest running blues jam in Detroit.”
The Broken Arrow Blues Band is one of the best, and hardest-working, bands in Detroit. Shadowhawk, Big Al and the boys are busy again this week, starting with an out-of-town gig at Skip’s Party Place in Angola, Ind. on Wednesday. They return to the Motor City for Thursday’s Blues MEGA Jam at Nancy Whiskey’s Pub, 2644 Harrison (313-962-4247). On Saturday, catch Broken Arrow at the open jam at Kelly’s Bar, 2403 Holbrook in Hamtramck (313-873-9428).
Every Wednesday, guitarist Howard Glazer hosts an open mic at the Old Miami, 3930 Cass Ave. in Detroit. Howard says all musicians and poets are welcome. Call (313) 831-3880.
On Thursday, slide master Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials roll into The Ark. Lil’ Ed Williams is the nephew of the late, great slide guitar player J.B. Hutto. Lil’ Ed’s guitar boogies are also reminiscent of Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers. Their shows are always tons of fun.
Fans of loud rock guitars and whammy bars will enjoy the Daniel Wentworth Band on Friday at Callahan’s Music Hall, 2105 South Blvd. in Auburn Hills (248-858-9508). Wentworth has been playing guitar professionally for over 20 years. His new CD, “I’m on a Mission,” features veteran rock vocalist Derek St. Holmes (Ted Nugent), who will be performing with Wentworth at Callahan’s. The band also features drummer Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult) and bassist Pete Bankert (Rob Tyner Band, Cub Coda, Dark Carnival). On Saturday, they’ll be at the Rochester Mills Beer Co., 400 Water St. in Rochester (248-650-5080), with special guest Curbstone Beauty.
Also Friday, John Latini and The Flying Latini Brothers will be joined by Jamie-Sue Seal at The First Friday Series at The Village Theater At Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill Road in Canton (734-394-5300).
On Saturday, Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King come to Callahan’s. More on that show later in the week.
Also Saturday, standout singer-guitarist Larry McCray performs at The Harbor House, 440 Clinton St. in Detroit (313-394-0120).
On Sunday, Christopher Leigh goes “unplugged” at the Acoustic Roots Blues & Boogie Jam Session at the Stonehouse Bar, 19803 Ralston St. in Detroit (313-891-3333).
Also Sunday, Royal Oak’s own Maggie McCabe hosts an acoustic open mic at Four Green Fields Irish Pub, 30919 Woodward Ave. in Royal Oak (248-288- 2088).
