By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
“Third Thursday” has a special meaning for music fans around the area – especially for fans of blues music.For years, Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com) has had a jazz-based show every Thursday called “Jazz at Jamey’s.”
The event has evolved into something more.
“Starting January 1, we switched from ‘Jazz Jams’ to a monthly series with four or five themed shows each Thursday,” said Jamie Reilly, owner and manager of Jamey’s House of Music.
This month, the “Third Thursday” falls on May 15 and that means it’s Lisa Chavous’ turn to call the shots.
“I have my own show one night a month – every third Thursday,” said Chavous, during a phone interview Wednesday evening just after finishing a show at the Crab Trap in Somers Point, New Jersey.
This month’s Third Thursday special theme is country music and blues music. The show is billed as “Lisa Chavous Presents Country Meets Blues.”
“I’ve been really busy lately,” said Chavous. “I’m at the Crap Trap in Somers Point every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. I play Kelsey’s in Atlantic City every Sunday.
“I also play Ashley’s in Glen Mills once or twice a month and I have upcoming shows in Bensalem and at the Yacht Club in Essington.”
Chavous is one of the most respected jazz, rock and blues singers in the Philadelphia music scene.
“I’ve been playing a lot in the tri-state area,” said Chavous. “My music covers a lot of genres including Motown, jazz, blues, funk, hip-hop, soul – mostly soul.
“I’m calling my show this week ‘Lisa Chavous Presents Country Meets Blues.’ It will be a two-hour show featuring the two music styles.”
There is a definite link between country music and blues – a result of the rich cultural heritage of America’s South. Both genres have their roots in traditional American folk music and share a deep connection with each other.
With its origins in the Mississippi Delta, the blues became a foundation for country music and influenced the development of its sound.
If you listen to early blues greats such as Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams, Sr., you can hear the influence of the blues – especially with storytelling.
Blues, gospel, and country music swirled together and produced musical offsprings such as honky-tonk and western swing. Only the era’s racial divide kept blues and country apart.
“I love country, and I love the blues,” said Chavous. “A lot of country acts and blues acts played the same songs – in a slightly different way.”
Both will be on display at Jamey’s on Thursday evening.
“For the show at Jamey’s pianist Joe Staffieri will be singing Johnny Cash songs. Guitarist Lonnie Shields will be playing songs by Johnny Taylor and Buddy Guy.
“Herb Smith, who played guitar for Patti LaBelle for 25 years, will be performing a tribute to B.B. King, Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.
“I’ll be singing – doing a tribute to Etta James, Big Mama Thornton, Aretha Franklin and Big Joe Turner. And, I’ll have my regular rhythm section of Charles Beasley on bass and Tony Day on drums.
“I chose the music I’d like them to play. The songs are really good. I did a similar show about 10 years ago at a club called 7165 on Germantown Avenue in Philly.”
Chavous is a Delaware County girl all the way.
She grew up in Sharon Hill and graduated from Darby Township High School. She studied for a career in nursing at a hospital in Delaware County. Now, Chavous is a resident of Lansdowne and could easily walk to Friday’s gig if she so desires.
Chavous is making a return visit to Jamey’s House of Music – the venue where she had a CD release party for her most recent album, “Breaking Down the Walls.”
“The CD is dedicated to my late husband Michael Hayes,” said Chavous. “He died of cancer in 2014.”
Chavous has been singing her whole life.
“I started performing and singing in church when I was really young,” said Chavous. “The, my mom and dad managed me. Eventually, I got calls from agents. So, I started putting bands together – Lisa Chavous and Friends.
“My first band was a jazz band. We played a lot of jazz clubs including The Blue Note in New York. I was on the jazz side for a while. We were really blessed with being able to book shows at country clubs in Delco.”
Chavous is frequently compared to Tina Turner, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Ruth Brown, and Irma Thomas, who along with Billie Holiday and Mahalia Jackson are among her primary musical influences.
“Lisa Chavous is the eleventh wonder of the world, and the hardest working musical artist I’ve ever encountered,” said Jamey Reilly, owner and operator of Jamey’s House of Music where she frequently performs to sellout crowds. “She’s earned the title, ‘The Queen of the Hustle.’”
Video link for Lisa Chavous –
The show at Jamey’s on Thursday will start at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
Todd Albright
On May 16, Jamey’s will present Todd Albright. On May 17, the venue will host the annual Settlement Music School’s Jazz Ensemble’s Recital.
Albright is a country blues, 12-string guitar player and vocalist based in Detroit.
Grounded in the pre-war era of the blues tradition (1880-1939), Albright is a mindful purveyor of blues history. His repertoire upholds musical pillars such as Blind Willie McTell, George Carter, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Leadbelly.
His life’s work continues the distinguished tradition of the very roots of American music as told by the African American musicians who created it.
One of the top blues guitarists in the world, Albright is the only contemporary 12-string player in his genre.
The show at Jamey’s on Friday will start at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Pay-per-view tickets are $15.
The Sunday Blues Brunch & Jam with the Philly Blues Kings is one of the longest running blues jams in the region, as well as the #1 original Sunday Blues Brunch and Jam.
This event features many of the top regional and national players every week and welcomes amateurs and weekend warriors to join on stage to celebrate the beautiful heritage of the blues.
The featured artist with this Sunday will be Steve Shanahan’s Blues Muthas. The open mic jam runs from 1-3 p.m. with the featured band playing a set from noon-1 p.m.
Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) is presenting Highway Run on May 16, Three Ton with special guest RJD Band on May 17 and Dale Melton Trio on May 18.
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org) will present Chelsea Reed and the Fairweather Five on May 15, the Laugh Lounge at Uptown on May 22, and The Philly Keys on May 29.
The Colonial Theater (227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, thecolonialtheatre.com/events) will present “80’s Prom” on May 16, The Ledbetters and Superunknown on May 17, and Vocal Fusion Spring Concert on May 21.
The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, www.ardmoremusic.com) has a busy weekend with Hamilton Leithauser on May 15, Pink Talking Fish on May 16, “Beer & Wine Fest” on May 17 and Jerry’s Middle Finger on May 18.
Other shows at AMH in May are: 20, Bob Dylan Birthday Bash; 22, Matteo Mancuso; 23, The Innocence Mission; 24, Melt With You; 28, David Cross; and 30, Gimme Gimme Disco.
The weekend, the Elkton Music Hall (107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland, www.elktonmusichall.com) will host Bit Brigade on May 15, GA-20 on May 16 and The Gathering Gloom on May 17.
Other shows this month are: 20, Andrew Duhon; 21, Logan Halsted and Willie Tea Taylor; 22, Tony Holiday Band; 23, Red Birds; 24, Bostyx; 29, Nellie McKay; and 30, Ronstadt Revue.
The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com) will present George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic on May 15, Trisha Yearwood on May 16, The Chapin Family on May 17, The Wonder Years on May 19, OMD on May 24, Corinne Baily Rae on May 28 and Let’s Sing Taylor on May 31.
The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com) has a varied May schedule — 15, Rickie Lee Jones; 16, The Reagan Years; 16, Ran’d Shine; 17, Tony Sands; 21, Ally Venable; 22, Six One Five Collective; 23, Darrel Scott with Chris Rafter; 24, Mikey Junior Band; 25, The Levin Brothers; 27, Bywater Call; 28, The Sweet Remains; 29, The Machine; 30, Nellie McKay; 31, Home Again.
World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, www.worldcafelive.com) has an ambitious schedule for May — 16, Califone; 20, The Poet’s Pit; 21, Andrew Duhon; 22, Lauren Calve and Rachel Ana Dobken; 23, Carsie Blanton; 23, Alaina Stacey; 24, The Quincy Jones Experience; 28, West 22nd; 28, BeauSoleil; 29, Mei Simones; 30, Maggie Mae; 30: The Session R&B Jam; and 31, Heartless Bastards.
