Phil Wiggins & George Kilby Jr. Trio – Masters of the Blues
Experience a stellar evening of authentic Blues at Baur’s featuring harmonica master Phil Wiggins with guitarist George Kilby Jr . Jointly presented by Colorado Blues Society and Music Appreciation Society, this acoustic performance by the Wiggins & Kilby Blues Trio will be a concert to treasure as these revered players deliver the down-to-earth lyrics of modern day Country Blues along with traditional tunes. Blues harp master Phil Wiggins and the fingerpicking guitar playing of George Kilby along with bassist Andy Calder are appearing exclusively at Baur’s Listening Lounge in Denver for this very special Saturday night.
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Phil Wiggins was half of the internationally acclaimed acoustic blues duo Cephas and Wiggins for 30 years. Together they made 14 albums for Smithsonian Folkways, Alligator and Flying Fish labels among others. George Kilby Jr spent 20 years playing with and producing albums for the legendary pianist Pinetop Perkins of Muddy Waters band. The two met not long after the passing of their respective musical partners; and this has resulted in a new dynamic partnership including tours and major Blues festivals in the US, Canada and Europe. Their extensive catalog of songs as well as a songwriting collaboration developing new material are the inspiration for a new record in the works. In 2013, Kilby and Wiggins recorded and released Kilby’s song “You never see the hand throw the Stone” which tackles racism, religion, and corruption. The song appears on the CD Six Pack (Top Frog Music).Their current collaborative material follows this path instead of recycling old blues themes, however classic they may be. Themes such as police/race strife, forgiveness, the 2nd amendment question, and the preservation of the environment are common in the new material that Wiggins & Kilby are recording for an upcoming album.
Wiggins’ honors with Cephas include Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, the White House, and a seat on the National Council for the Traditional Arts. Kilby’s honors include 3 albums with Pinetop Perkins, a WC Handy Album of the year, and countless European and US tours. Of late the pair is also doing several concerts with the legendary Sherman Holmes (of The Holmes Brothers).
Blues aficionados and lovers of authentic roots music will appreciate the artistry of these World renowned proponents of the the Blues traditions! Phil Wiggins blows the harmonica like nobody else playing today and with George Kilby on guitar, they are the perfect partnership to carry on their combined legacy. Please get your tickets to attend the Denver premier of this important new musical partnership proudly sponsored by CBS and MAS.
Quotes
Phil is among a very small handful of virtuosos whose command of his instrument takes my breath away. His talent rivals that of any artist I’ve encountered in my career in Classical music, in my view placing him in the company of the Yo-Yo Mas and the Joshua Bells of the world.”
– – Scott Freck, General Manager, North Carolina Symphony
“Phil Wiggins’ honking/wailing/chugging/moaning blues harp…a cool showcase for Kilby’s fingerpicking work – but pay attention to the words. One trademark of Kilby’s originals is the use of a deceptively down-to-earth approach to lay some deeper-than-you-may-think wisdom on the table.”
– – Brian Robbins, Jambands.com
Saturday, February 20 :: 9:00pm
Wiggins & Kilby Blues Trio
Baur’s Listening Lounge
Dinner Reservations: 303-615-4000
1512 Curtis Street
Denver, CO
www.masmusic.org