Sean Costello Memorial Concert to benefit the Sean Costello Fund for bi-polar research.

Long Time Coming, the critically acclaimed comeback record for Nappy Brown on Blind Pig, was not only a thrilling slice of music for Brown, but also a signal of Sean Costello's reemrgence on the blues music scene. Costello contributed stunning guitar work to the disc, and was a part of the core band producer Scott Cable recruited for what is surely one of the great comeback albums of the decade. Buffalo native and Costello's former drummer Ray Hangen, with the blessing of the Sean Costello fund for Bi-polar research, has organized a tribute/fundraiser to bring attention to and for funds for this worthy cause. Cable and Costello were long time friends and often shared the stage together in Buffalo, so it is a homecoming of sorts for Cable. An impressive list of some of Western New York's finest talent will be on hand, along with Viztone recording artist Dave Gross. When approached about the benefit, Gross, a rising young star on the blues music scene, was eager to pay tribute to an artist he greatly appreciated.

Appearing along with Cable and Gross will be: The Blues Hounds, Acid Funk Duo featuring Ron Davis and Ray Hangen, The Alison Pipitone Band, The Allen St. Jazz Band, Mark Winsick, Mr. Conrad, Bass Reeves and the Outfit and Jack Civiletto.

Photo: Sean Costello

The Thermidors are a rock and roll band hailing from Buffalo, New York. It could be said that they first formed in the summer of 2002 when Nick Mirco and Brian Hyrek first got together and started writing and playing songs. They quickly emerged in the older styles of music such as Blues and straight up Rock and Roll, with influences that are made apparent. Eventually they had joined together with bassist Jeremy Stock and his brother Brendan Stock, both natives of their high school (Lancaster). Jeremy, Nick, and Brian all write and sing the songs with no distinct lead singer.

Taking listeners to a place where Appalachian music, ancient blues and gospel come together in powerful, unexpected combinations, The Tarbox Ramblers are left-field traditionalists whose rough-hewn, direct sound has drawn raves from Rolling Stone, All Things Considered, The New Yorker and many more.

This is old-soul music, and in freewheeling shows at clubs and festivals throughout the US and Canada, The Ramblers - string bassist Scott McEwen, drummer Robby Cosenza and guitarist Michael Tarbox - have played it to considerable effect, making converts of audiences wherever they’ve gone. Robert Plant caught the group’s live show and asked them to open his tour dates right on the spot; he later tapped them as backing band for a set with Alison Krauss at The Rock Hall of Fame’s Leadbelly Tribute.

The legendary jazz great Sam Noto and his quintet play a free show tonight with special guest Larry Covelli on tenor sax.

Renowned trumpeter Sam Noto began playing professionally in his mid-teens playing casuals and clubs in and around his native town Buffalo, New York. He eventually received his first big break when he was asked to join the Stan Kenton Band in 1953. He was a member of the band for seven years. After leaving Kenton Sam worked with a number of name big bands including Count Basie, Woody Herman, Louis Bellson and The Boss Brass. In the seventies Sam Noto recorded a number of albums for Xanadu Records under his own name featuring such players as Joe Romano, Barry Harris, Sam Jones, Jimmy Rowles, Billy Higgins. Sam also participated on recordings for Xanadu featuring musicians such as Al Cohn, Dexter Gordon, Charles McPherson, Blue Mitchell, Kenny Drew and Red Rodney.

Photo: Sam Noto

Bill Kirchen returns to the Sportsmen's Tavern. Grammy nominated guitarist, singer and songwriter Bill Kirchen is one of the fortunate few who can step on any stage, play those trademark licks which drove the seminal Commander Cody classic Hot Rod Lincoln into the Top Ten nationwide, and elicit instant recognition for a career thats spanned over 30 years and includes performances with names like Nick Lowe, Emmylou Harris, Doug Sahm, Elvis Costello and Danny Gatton. Named A Titan of the Telecaster by Guitar Player Magazine, he celebrates an American musical tradition where country music draws upon its origins in blues and bluegrass, and in the Western swing of Texas and California honky tonks. An apt description of Bills singing, songwriting and guitar playing skill is provided in this quote from Nick Lowe: He's like a devastating culmination of the elegant and funky... a really sensational musician, with enormous depth.