Top 6 concert picks for Sarasota-Bradenton-Charlotte: June 9-15
J.P. Soars and the Red Hots
South Florida blues guitarist and singer-songwriter J.P. Soars and his group the Red Hots, which received four Blues Music Awards nominations this year, continues a string of local dates with a show at Englewoods on Dearborn. The group was nominated for Band of the Year, with Soars also earning nods for Instrumentalist – Guitar and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, and bandmate Chris Peet nominated for Instrumentalist – Drums. Soars is also part of the supergroup Southern Hospitality with Grammy-nominated pianist Victor Wainwright and fellow Floridian Damon Fowler. 7 p.m. Thursday, June 9; Englewoods on Dearborn, 362 W. Dearborn St., Englewood; $7; 941-475-7501; englewoodsondearborn.com
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Packrat's Smokehouse
Irish pub and multi-genre music venue Celtic Ray's live music lineup this week will include Packrat's Smokehouse, the self-proclaimed Florida swamp blues band originating from New Smyrna Beach. Formed in the late '80s, the group was first known as Smokehouse, releasing the well-received 1995 album “Cadillac in the Swamp.” In 1998, they released the follow-up “Edge of the Swamp” after changing their name to Packrat’s Smokehouse, which they’ve played under since, most recently releasing 2019's "Men of the Swamp Live." 7 p.m. Thursday; Celtic Ray Public House, 145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda; 941-916-9115; celticray.net
The Jose Ramirez Band
Blues guitarist and singer-songwriter Jose Ramirez will return to Sarasota's renowned Westcoast Black Theater Troupe following the release of his new album "Major League Blues" earlier this year. The full-length, his first for esteemed Chicago label Delmark Records, has him joined by The Delmark All-Star Band featuring late blues great Jimmy Johnson and is the follow-up to 2020's "Here I Come," which earned Ramirez a Best Emerging Artist Album Blues Music Award nomination. Ramirez started performing in his native Costa Rica before relocating to the U.S., spending a stint as guitarist in the formerly Bradenton-based blues singer Lauren Mitchell's band. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota; $23; 941-366-1505; westcoastblacktheatre.org
The Champ Jaxon Band
Punta Gorda 11-year-old blues rock prodigy Champ Jaxon, who recently received a national television spotlight, will play Charlotte County venue The Twisted Fork this weekend. Jaxon appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in December, chatting with guest host and country superstar Brad Paisley, performing his song "Born in the Grove," then jamming with and receiving a Fender guitar from Paisley. Jaxon also released the album "The Grove" last year and has played on stage with "Can't You See" Southern rockers The Marshall Tucker Band multiple times. Noon Saturday; The Twisted Fork, 2208 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte; 941-235-3675; twistedfork.net
Jnana Cooper
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will also host a concert this week by Jnana Cooper, one of its founding members, titled “Unbreakable: An Evening with Jnana Wilson Cooper." She will sing songs that she's previously performed in WBTT productions as well as others that hold a special meaning to her, with Janelle Monáe and Kelly Clarkson's "Unbreakable," The Supremes' “Stop! In the Name of Love” and Cheryl Lynn's "Got To Be Real" among those audiences can expect to hear. Cooper will be joined by a live band led by music director Etienne “EJ” Porter, and special guests such as WBTT founder/artistic director Nate Jacobs. 7:30 p.m. Monday; Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota; $13-$33; 941-366-1505; westcoastblacktheatre.org
John Ford
Cincinnati singer-songwriter John Ford kicks off a series of local shows at Sarasota restaurant and venue Stottlemyer's Smokehouse. Ford describes his sound as a blend of the blues of the 1920s and 1930s, Robert Johnson and Son House, a bit of 1940s country and a pinch of gospel rhythm. Ford is set to play Stottlemyer's Smokehouse again on June 18, along with other venues such as Cottonmouth and Cortez Clam Factory in Bradenton and Troll Music in Venice this month. 5 p.m. Monday; Stottlemyer's Smokehouse, 19 E. Road, Sarasota; 941-312-5969; stottlemyerssmokehouse.com
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top 6 Sarasota-Bradenton-Charlotte concert picks, June 9-15
