Colin Dussault’s Blues Project celebrates its 20 birthday
Saturday, May 16, at the Savannah (30676 Detroit Ave., Westlake). A
group of Cleveland blues all-stars will join the band for a three-hour
show, including guitarist Austin “Walkin’ Cane” Charanghat (who
will also play an opening set), singer Mary Bridget Davies,
saxophonist Norm Tischler, drummer Jeff Harmon and backup
singers Sharron McPherson-Foxx and Irma McQueen. Local blues legend
Mr. Stress may also pop in.
Dussault, a second-generation musician, formed the band on his 20th
birthday. After discovering Muddy Waters, the singer-harmonica player
found more inspiration at his day job. Dussault worked for his family’s
moving company, and every house he visited seemed to have a copy of
Mr. Stress Live at the Euclid Tavern.
“I’d say, ‘Man, I don’t know who that guy is, but I want to be like
him,” recalls Dussault.
Dussault’s group had a long-running gig as the Brothers Lounge house
band. Before getting sober, Dussault would unwind from long nights by
taking Robert Lockwood Jr. to breakfast, where he’d absorb
advice from the legend.
The Project lineup has changed but never folded. The band averages
more than 250 shows a year, even during a recent rough patch. In the
past two years, Dussault tore an aorta, and drummer Freddie
Perez-Stable’s wife died. Dussault also welcomed his first child, a
daughter, to the family. But Dussault has “98 percent” recovered, and
the band still has Cleveland’s busiest schedule.
“This one’s really a milestone that I’m appreciating more than in
years past,” says Dussault.
Show starts at 9 p.m.; cover is $6.
The Ohio Hip-Hop Awards is taking nominations. Visit ohiohiphopawards.com to nominate
artists, producers, models, DJs and more.
The Beachland Ballroom will host its fourth annual Prom Night on Friday, May 29. Living Stereo will headline a four-band bill
playing shake-your-ass rock. Doors open at 8 p.m.; admission is $3 with
prom attire, $5 without. Don’t blow it like last year and wait ’til the
last minute to find a date.
Two handmade left-handed Warmoth guitars were stolen after an April
Jimi Ray Stevens Experience set at Jimmy’s in Mentor. Send tips
to myspace.com/thejimiraystevensexperience.
This article appears in May 13-19, 2009.