Entertainment
Best Blues Guitarist Joe Bonamassa returning to Ridgefield
By Ridgefield Playhouse
Sep 19, 2008 - 8:25 AM

Joe Bonamassa

"Wicked guitar thrills," is how the Washington Post described Joe Bonamassa's guitar-playing talent. Guitar Playing Magazine named him the Best Blues Guitarist. The man is good, and he is coming to The Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts on Sunday, October 26 at 8 p.m. The last time Mr. Bonamassa was here, he performed to a SRO crown, so get your tickets early!

Widely renowned for his insanely fluid phrasing and post-modern fusion of electric British blues, traditional Delta blues and rock 'n roll chops, Bonamassa told Guitar Player in '05, "When I play blues, I try to think a little outside the box, while still paying tribute to the founding fathers like Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson." His latest work pushes the envelope even further - "Sloe Gin," says Joe, "is different than anything I've ever done. We bettered "You & Me." The songs are more refined, and I was concentrating on them as a whole rather than only thinking about a 50-bar guitar solo. Also, singing is a bigger part of it for me than ever before, and it's awesome to have that space-to connect with fans on a musical and lyrical level."

At ten, Bonamassa was gigging at venues in upstate New York, where he came to the legendary B.B. King's attention. After initially hearing Bonamassa play, King, who personally asked Joe to open for his landmark 2005 80th birthday celebration tour, said, "This kid's potential is unbelievable. He hasn't even begun to scratch the surface. He's one of a kind."

For tickets ($55 Gold Circle; $49.50 orchestra, mezzanine) or more information, call the box office at (203) 438-5795 or go to www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is located at 80 East Ridge, which runs parallel to Main Street.

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