Every year in April, music lovers in Atlanta gather to celebrate the life of Sean Costello, a young bluesman who left us too soon, but whose legacy goes on through his music, this celebration and the foundation his family established, The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research The concert is also a fundraiser for […]
What does a band do when the lead singer loses his or her voice? Most o the time, there’ a scramble to find someone to fill in Friday night, not only was Rae of Rae and The Royal Peacock out sick but the bassist, Harold Patillo, was out, too. Luckily, Darryl Lee, one of the […]
Sunday, June 24, was a special day for this writer as The Atlanta Blues Society brought Tullie Brae back to Atlanta for the first time in several years. The occasion was the monthly gathering and jam, which always features a “host band” who perform for about an hour to kick the meeting off. I admit […]
The Markey Blue Ric Latina Project was at Darwin’s Saturday night and thrilled old fans and new with their usual powerful, energetic show. they professed to be exhausted, having left Florida and headed for Atlanta in the cold rain for what turned out to be an 8 hour trip due to traffic. They got in […]
By Rhetta Akamatsu Photos by Takesi Ken Akamatsu Markey Blue has changed its name to The Markey Blue Ric Latina Project but the high-energy, nonstop joy of the group live hasn’t changed a bit! Lead singer Markey and lead guitar player Ric Latina still lead the charge into electrifying blues and blues-rock with Ron De […]
Photos by Takesi Ken Akamatsu Friday, June 16, Reverend Freakchild returned to Darwin’s as the opening act before The Mike Lowry Band. My husband and I got to talk to him before after his performance and it was like re-uniting with an old friend, even though we only met him once before, at the former […]
Brandon Santini and his band played Darwin’s on Friday night, May 19. Many fans were anxious to see Santini, who has played here enough to be a big Atlanta favorite. They were also happy to see Timo Arthur, the lead guitarist, as he lived in Atlanta and was part of our musical community before moving […]
Saturday night at Darwin’s, Jake Holliday rounded up Donna Hopkins and some other friends and called the show, appropriately enough, “Jake Holliday and Friends feat. Donna Hopkins.” That’s an irresistible title to anyone familiar with Jake’s fantastic bass playing and Donna’s talents as a singer, guitar player and songwriter, so off we went. There were […]
It was two hours before showtime on Friday night when we arrived at Darwin’s in Sandy Springs to eat and wait for The Jeff Jensen Band. We wee actually covering a convention about 10 minutes away in Atlanta but we never willingly miss Jeff, Bill and David and we knew the convention had the whole […]
It was the first Atlanta Blues Society meeting at the new Darwin’s location and the place was absolutely packed. Many of the people were there to see the group who were playing for us, David T and Friends, and some were there to see the new Darwin”s. The club, which won the Keeping The blues […]
The room was buzzing at Darwin’s Friday night. Mick Kolassa and The Taylor Made Band were the first touring group to play the new location,, and people were pretty excited. By the time the music started, it was standing room only with people standing at the back wall. Aftr years of producing and making albums. […]
Last night March 21, Darwin’s re-opened in the new location in Sandy Springs. The opening guest was originally supposed to be just Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck solo, but he decided to bring a couple of his Piedmont Playboys, Hobo and Dan Dan The Healing Man, along, as well as Mandi Strachota and special guest Francois Blues […]
The music room at 5 Seasons Brewing Company in Sandy Springs was packed last Thursday for the “Little House” fundraiser to help Darwin’s get moved into their new location at the former Steve’s Live Music building and open for business. It was an act of love for Lindsay Wine and Jonathan Aiken and their club, […]
Saturday night, New Year’s Eve, was Darwin’s last night in its Marietta location. The little house was full, mostly with people who had been coming to the club since before Lindsay and Aiken took it over. We all felt nostalgic, I believe, thinking of all the memories and bands we had heard there. But we […]
Bobby Messano is my friend. I’ve known him around seven years now, have reviewed him many times, both his recordings and performances. Despite all of this, or maybe because of it, I am always so excited when Bobby comes to town! Messano has been in the music business or over 40 years. He has performed with Stevie […]
It was a small crowd at Darwin’s. in Marietta GA After all, it was Tuesday night. But Katie Martin and Rev. Freakchild didn’t seem to mind. Martin opened with a great set that included her haunting version of “:St. James Infirmary” and several other covers as well as some mesmerizing original material from her recent […]
Truett Lolllis looked delighted a he surveyed the crowded room at Darwin’s Friday night, March 25. “I am so happy to be home,” he told me, “and so glad to be back at Darwin’s.” Truett spent every Monday playing at Darwin’s for several years, beginning as a teenager too young to drink and ending this […]
Gracie Curran brought her High Falutin’ Band to Darwin’s Saturday night an what a great time that was! Gracie is such a funny, warm and entertaining person who also happens to have an amazing voice. She was ably accompanied by her band, brothers Mike and Nick Hern on bass and lead guitar respectively, and for […]