Blues masters play the Clazel tonight
8/11/2010BOWLING GREEN — Thursday night's lineup at the historic Clazel Theater is the blues equivalent of a classic heavyweight boxing bill.
The opener is Janiva Magness, an earthy, soulful vocalist whose voice is a remarkably expressive instrument. Her latest disc is a sprightly tour of the blues, soul, and rhythm and blues, and she never falters despite the stylistic detours.
She received the 2009 Blues Music Awards for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year (she is only the second woman to ever win this award; the other was Koko Taylor) and for Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year, an honor she also received in 2006 and 2007.
The headliner at the Clazel Thursday night is John Lee Hooker, Jr., the son of the Delta blues legend. A native of Detroit, the younger Hooker began playing music at a young age and toured with his father.
His style is a slicker form of Chicago blues compared to his father's down-and-dirty approach. He's released four albums, including the Grammy winning “Blues With A Vengeance” in 2004.
The Clazel is at 127 North Main St. in Bowling Green. Doors open at 7 p.m. and music starts at 8. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 the day of the show and are available at Finders Records in Bowling Green, Culture Clash Records in Toledo, at clazel.net, or at the box office.