Fearless, fierce, a relentless seeker. Generous, observant, clever, wordy, worldly. One of the greatest modern guitarists. The leader and co-founder of Sacramento’s Little Charlie & The Nightcats, Charles Baty never played the same song the same way twice. Guitar World said, “Baty’s straight blues playing is eye-popping…inspired and manic blues guitar. He can sting like Buddy Guy and swing like Tiny Grimes.” The band released nine albums on Alligator Records (1987-2008) before Charlie decided to retire from their worldwide touring. But of course, he never stopped playing. Inside his vast musical mind jazz, rockabilly and swing had a very fertile playground.

He fronted jazz trio Little Charlie & Organ Grinder Swing, and performed regularly with his blues colleagues Mark Hummel, Kim Wilson and Anson Funderburgh. He released fourteen albums in his lifetime.

We lost him on March 6, 2020 from a heart attack, believed to be complications from COVID-19. He was only 66.

For blues fans worldwide, it has been akin to losing Muddy, Junior, Stevie, John Lee (who intoned in back in 1987- “You’re dangerous with that guitar, man. They’re gonna put you in jail.”)

“Night after night, I would introduce Little Charlie as “One of a kind,” says Estrin, “it’s an overused phrase, but in Charles’ case, it was the gospel truth. At his best, he was the best.”

Tonight, we will celebrate Charles Baty.

Doors open at 6pm with showtime at 7pm. Tickets are $40 Advance or $45 Day of Show. Presented by Harlow’s and The Sacramento Blues Society (SBS). A portion of the net proceeds will be donated to SBS’ newly created Little Charlie Baty Scholarship Fund.