Old Town Center for the Arts ~ Cottonwood, AZ

The Old Town Center for the Arts ~ Cottonwood, AZ

Church of Blues Concert

Friday, November 1, 2024, 7:00 PM

$20 General Admission - Advance BUY Tickets online
$22 Door
$25 Priority Seating in First 3 Rows BUY Tickets online

Tickets will be available online soon

Blues Artist Tas Cru joins with Verde Valley Musicians for a Special Church of Blues Concert

The Church of Blues is a vibrant, inclusive community dedicated to the healing power of music. Music is our Religion, Rhythm is our Doctrine, and Harmony is our Prayer. We bring people together to explore and express the deepest emotions and stories that define the human experience. Through our diverse programs, including the “Composing the Blues: Writing/Performing from the Heart & Soul” series, we provide a nurturing space where all are welcome to learn, play, and connect. Whether you're a seasoned musician or simply a lover of the blues, the Church of Blues offers a sanctuary for creative expression, community building, and soulful healing. Vets are cordially invited. All are welcome.

Don Whitcher is a nationally-prominent slide player, whose previous bands have charted in the Americana and Roots Country charts since 2004. He is an original, prolific song writer with a voice that is deep and passionate. Since moving to Northern Arizona a few years ago, he has established himself as one of the best slide guitar and lap steel guitar players in the Southwest, and is part of the founding faculty, for Church of Blues Composing the Blues: Writing/Performing from the Heart & Soul.

Suzie Shoemaker was born and raised in New York city and prior to becoming a northern Arizona resident, enjoyed a long career as a NYC performer, singer and songwriter. Since moving to Sedona she has played a diverse array of venues and events including a stint with the Heavenly J’s as Jim Morrison, June Carter Cash and her most memorable and powerful performance as Janis Joplin. Suzie has also performed at the Encore Theater with the Branson Hall of Fame Sax player Marvin Short in a show entitled “Marvin Short’s Rock ‘n Roll Dreams.” Currently she performs at local clubs and many private parties, and is also on the faculty of the Church of Blues public music program, "Composing the Blues: Writing/Performing from the Heart & Soul."

Christian Michael Berry is a two time winner (as part of the Swamp Poets Duo In the single/duo category) of the Northern Arizona Blues Challenge as well as a two time winner in the “Best New Album” category. He is also a two time nominee in the same categories at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee and a two time nominee for the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame. His past two albums, (Emerald River Project and Delta Flood), have made it onto the list of Top Forty albums being played on the radio in Europe and the UK, (per the Independent Association of Blues Broadcasters) and his Delta Flood album was called One of the Most Important Albums of the Last Decade by Digital Blues Radio.

Sweet Baby Ray de Sylvester began performing playing harmonica on stage, sitting in with Jimmy Rogers and Pinetop Perkins at Lilly’s in Chicago in 1985. This experience inspired Ray to study the Blues and hone his harmonica skills through the years. In January 2020 Ray received the honor of being inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame. From Memphis to the Monterrey, Manhattan, to New Orleans, PBS Blues Blast, across Arizona, and currently with the band Still Willin', Ray keeps the Blues alive with his engaging performances and harmonica magic. Ray is also currently on the faculty of Church of Blues Composing the Blues: Writing/Performing from the Heart & Soul.

Tas Cru is an internationally renowned musician, well-seasoned performer and entertainer. He knows how to read an audience. By intuition, Cru adjusts his sets on the fly to make sure he reaches them. While this is a skill acquired from years of performing, having a repertoire of well over 100 original songs to draw on certainly gives him a leg up on most others.

Indeed, above all else Tas Cru is a songwriter. “He is a real writer,” says Bruce Iglauer – owner/producer of the renowned Alligator Records. High praise comes from Downbeat magazine, describing Cru as one of the most unique of roots musicians plying his trade today; “With fresh melodies and his trademark well-crafted lyrics, Cru has the ability to cast a magical hook.” According to Tas, himself, “I insist that words serve more than to treat the listener like a hitch-hiker desperate to reach the guitar solo!” Tas Cru – always original and where the songs matter, lyrics speak, and melodies thrive!

Cru is most known as a blues artist but his songs show that he is truly a roots music eclectic who refuses to be bound to any one genre. Based out of Central New York he performs in multiple formats ranging from a six-piece backing band to solo acoustic. He sings and plays a wide variety of guitars - at home on either electric, acoustic, resonator or cigar box and is known to sprinkle in a bit of harmonica from time to time. Tas made his mark in the blues world as the founder and host of his Tas Cru Annual Rum Boogie Jam (2008 – 2023) at the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis Today, Tas tours extensively throughout the US and international touring includes Europe and Canada.

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