Blues legend Buddy Guy is the featured guest at the Wall Street Theater gala on June 11. The gala celebrates Wall Street’s fifth year of live entertainment.
Members of Wall Street said Guy, one of the greatest blues musicians of all time, was ideal for this event.
“He is the right person to launch this gala,” said Suzanne Cahill, President and Chair of the Board. In addition to being a music legend and a formidable showman, he reconnects with the roots of the Chicago blues.
A look at Guy’s resume confirms his legendary status. He has nine Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award; was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum; and received Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of Arts.
Guy’s latest album says it all: “The Blues Is Alive and Well”, his 18th solo album. He showcases his raw, unadulterated sound, the styles he brings to his performances. Guy has composed 15 tracks that will appeal to both old fans and newcomers to the blues.
Asked about his mindset around the new record, Guy said: “I always try to make an album that someone accidentally plays where a kid hears it, picks up a guitar and helps keep the blues alive. “
Guy is acclaimed by guitarists and adored by his fans. His mastery of the guitar means that there are hardly any guitarists he can’t imitate, and he often plays in different styles of artists during a concert.
While Guy’s music is often labeled Chicago blues, his style goes beyond that and is unique and distinct. His music can vary from the most traditional and deep blues to a creative, unpredictable and radical gumbo of blues, rock, soul and free jazz that changes with each performance.
As Guy continues his breathtaking career, he is careful not to forget his contemporaries who have passed away and inspired him along the way. It evokes all the great blues players who are no longer with us.
Guy said, “Muddy, Wolf, BB, they’re all gone. Before they passed, when they were in their prime, we used to have a drink and laugh and talk about how when one of us is gone, the others have to carry on. That’s what he’s trying to do, something to bring this music that I love so much to life. And with The Blues Is Alive and Well, it’s clear that the music and Guy himself aren’t going away anytime soon.
To get in the spirit of the gala night, Cahill encourages guests to honor Guy by wearing clothing with his signature polka dots.
For more information on Guy, visit: https://www.buddyguy.net.
Opening Guy is Tom Hambridge, a four-time Grammy-winning and nine-time nominated producer. More information about Hambridge can be found at: http://hambridgetunes.com.
The Gala features the Wall Street Theatre. It will feature a red carpet experience, with a variety of ticket options. There will be a pre-show gala from 6 to 7:30 p.m. with a silent auction and a selection of refreshments. Live music will be provided by The Moonrise Cartel and premium seating is available.
The Wall Street Theater is a 501(c)(3) non-profit performance venue, housed in a perfectly restored 106-year-old vaudeville theater, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Wall Street Theater offers a wide range of performing arts, including acclaimed national tours, as well as inspiring educational and enrichment opportunities. It hosts concerts featuring original live bands, solo artists, and tribute bands; stand-up comedians; dance programs; film screenings and more. It is also available for event rental.
The 2022 program of events continues the gala theme and includes the Taj Mahal, Gordon Lightfoot and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
“The Wall Street Theater is thrilled to welcome these legendary performers to its stage. It’s the perfect place to see them in a comfortable, intimate space with great sound. The Wall Street Theater is poised to be the go-to destination in downtown Norwalk, if not all of Connecticut,” Cahill said.
For this performance, proof of vaccination or a negative Covid PCR test, carried out no later than 72 hours before the date of the show, is required for entry into the hall. Face masks are not mandatory, but are recommended to be worn in the theater. This policy is subject to change. Check individual shows for any changes.
For more information, visit wallstreettheater.com. The mailing address is: Wall Street Theatre, 71 Wall Street, Norwalk, CT 06850. They can also be reached by phone at: 203-831-5004
