Escondido, CA, THE BEST BLUES is coming to The California Center for the Arts: Mike Zito, Tommy Castro, more… Get Tix Here
Mike Zito, Tommy Castro, Jimmy Carpenter,
Sue Palmer & Liz Ajuzie
THE BEST BLUES is coming to the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, CA
MIKE ZITO BAND ft. JIMMY CARPENTER BAND
Friday, June 13, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Order Tickets HERE $36-$60 (inc. fees)
Tickets available at the CCAE Box Office w/out fees
(face value $30-$50).
ABOUT MIKE ZITO
Mike Zito is one of the most lauded artists in the contemporary blues arena today and rightfully so For him, the thing that counts the most is maintaining his honesty, authenticity and integrity. Those are the qualities that have steered Zito’s career since the beginning and continue to define every effort he’s offered since.
“I have nothing to hide; it seems my honesty is what people relate to most,” he once told Vintage Guitar magazine.
“Anders (Osborne) told me early on, ‘If you don’t believe what you’re singing, you’ll never be a good singer.’ I try not to write fluff; I try to make every word count.”
In 2022, Zito released the double live album Blues for the Southside. Recorded on November 26, 2021, at the Old Rock House in St. Louis, Missouri, and produced by Mike Zito, Blues for the Southside showcases Zito (guitar, vocals) and his stellar band in full fury with special guests Tony Campanella, Dave Kalz and guitar wizard Eric Gales.
After the release of Blues for the Southside, Zito joined forces with Gulf Coast Records label mate Albert Castiglia and created the Blood Brothers tour.
www.mikezito.com
www.jimmycarpenter.net
UPCOMING
Six String Society presents
TOMMY CASTRO AND THE PAINKILLERS
“Closer to the Bone Tour”
w/ Special Guests Sue Palmer & Liz Ajuzie
Sunday, June 15 – 3:00pm – 5:00pm
AND
Order Tickets HERE: $38.40 – $102 (inc. fees).
No fees if purchased at CCAE Box Office (face value $32-$35).
Front Row VIP tickets include pre-show Meet & Greet or pre-show VIP add-on can be added to any other ticket for just $25.
ABOUT
Born in San Jose, California in 1955, Tommy Castro first picked up a guitar at age 10. He fell under the spell of six-string stars like Elvin Bishop, Taj Mahal and Mike Bloomfield. Almost every major rock and soul act, from Ike and Tina Turner to Janis Joplin to Tower Of Power, toured through the area, and Castro was at every show. He saw John Lee Hooker, Albert King, and Buddy Guy and Junior Wells at a local club, JJ’s Blues Bar.
Castro often jammed at JJ’s, dreaming of busting out and making a name for himself. He created his own personal sound and style by mixing the blues, R&B and funk music he loved into his own, instantly recognizable brand of uplifting, soul-healing music.
As his reputation spread, Tommy played in several Bay Area bands, quickly making a name for himself as a hotter-than-hot live artist bursting at the seams with talent. In 1985, he became lead singer and guitarist for the regionally popular blues band NiteCry before joined popular Warner Brothers’ artists The Dynatones, gigging all over the country.
He formed the first Tommy Castro Band in 1992 and has not stopped touring since. In 1995, soon after releasing their first album on Blind Pig Records, The Tommy Castro Band were selected as the house band for three seasons on
NBC Television’s Comedy Showcase (airing right after Saturday Night Live). The show brought Tommy in front of millions of viewers every week and cemented his reputation as a not-to-be-missed live performer.
MORE HISTORY
After a series of successful releases on the Blind Pig, Telarc and 33rd Street labels, Tommy Castro joined Alligator Records in 2009. His label debut, Hard Believer, launched to massive popular and critical acclaim. 2011 saw the release of the raucous Tommy Castro Presents The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue—Live!.
In 2014, Castro & The Painkillers released The Devil You Know, followed by Method To My Madness in 2015, Stompin’ Ground in 2017, and the irresistible Killin’ It—Live in 2019. With 2021’s A Bluesman Came To Town, Castro told the story of a young musician’s journey through the blues world. AllMusic said the album was “a towering achievement.”
Castro received his fourth prestigious and coveted Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year in 2023. He’s taken home a total of 10 Blues Music Awards and is among the genre’s most decorated artists.
Castro’s relentless road-dog approach—gig after gig, 150 nights a year—continues to earn him loyal, lifelong fans everywhere he plays. The Washington Post says Castro is “phenomenal and funky” with “soulful vocals and inspired blues guitar.” Famed guitarist Joe Bonamassa says, “Tommy has always been top of the heap among blues guitar players. He always puts on a great show.”
Tommy Castro & The Painkillers’ deceptively simple approach on Closer To The Bone delivers one thrilling performance after another. Says Castro, “Here, I’m not the contemporary guy, not the rock guy, not the soul guy. This is the deeper blues side of me. I know, with these songs, I am at my most authentic.”
VENUE
340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025
Phone Number (Tickets): 800.988.4253
Phone Number (All others): 760.839.4138
info@artcenter.org
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