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to be involved in this project.”

Blood Brothers

Blood Brothers

Feb. 16 • Ludlow Garage

Guitarists Albert Castiglia and Mike Zito are resolute purveyors of the blues rock tradition, each using their dexterous skills to deliver licks reminiscent of players stretching back a half century. Separately, the two have contributed to a combined two-dozen-plus studio albums (both as solo artists and in various band out ts) and an endless trail of live shows since their relative breakthroughs in the early 2000s. And, for those who care about such things, each has racked up various Blues Music Awards.

Feb. 16 • Ludlow Garage

Guitarists Albert Castiglia and Mike Zito are resolute purveyors of the blues rock tradition, each using their dexterous skills to deliver licks reminiscent of players stretching back a half century. Separately, the two have contributed to a combined two-dozen-plus studio albums (both as solo artists and in various band out ts) and an endless trail of live shows since their relative breakthroughs in the early 2000s. And, for those who care about such things, each has racked up various Blues Music Awards.

Now the duo is combining e orts to form Blood Brothers, a two-headed guitar monster set to drop a self-titled album on March 17 through Zito’s own Gulf Coast Records. Co-produced by like-minded six-string savants Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, Blood Brothers features 11 songs with expected genre-centric titles like “A ousand Heartaches,” “No Good Woman,” “In My Soul,” “Fool Never Learns” and “One Step Ahead of the Blues.”

Now the duo is combining e orts to form Blood Brothers, a two-headed guitar monster set to drop a self-titled album on March 17 through Zito’s own Gulf Coast Records. Co-produced by like-minded six-string savants Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, Blood Brothers features 11 songs with expected genre-centric titles like “A ousand Heartaches,” “No Good Woman,” “In My Soul,” “Fool Never Learns” and “One Step Ahead of the Blues.”

“Mike and Albert have a special chemistry together when they plug in and play that few have,” Bonamassa said in the album notes provided on the band’s website. “ ey nish each other’s sentences musically. Great tunes, great people, great hang! What’s not to like? It was an honor

“Mike and Albert have a special chemistry together when they plug in and play that few have,” Bonamassa said in the album notes provided on the band’s website. “ ey nish each other’s sentences musically. Great tunes, great people, great hang! What’s not to like? It was an honor to be involved in this project.”

If the duo’s live shows over the last year are any indication, expect intertwining guitar leads built to satiate lovers of tasteful blues, rock and roots music that ranges from rollicking to melancholic. ink J.J. Cale, Eric Clapton and Gary Moore, among many others, including contemporaries like Bonamassa and Smith, both of whom guest on the new record.

If the duo’s live shows over the last year are any indication, expect intertwining guitar leads built to satiate lovers of tasteful blues, rock and roots music that ranges from rollicking to melancholic. ink J.J. Cale, Eric Clapton and Gary Moore, among many others, including contemporaries like Bonamassa and Smith, both of whom guest on the new record.

“ is album was a blast to make, and I am even more excited to take this music out on the road to perform for the people,” Zito said in the band’s bio. “It’s just a bit more complex with an overall band dynamic that I think sets apart from what Albert and I normally do.”

“ is album was a blast to make, and I am even more excited to take this music out on the road to perform for the people,” Zito said in the band’s bio. “It’s just a bit more complex with an overall band dynamic that I think sets apart from what Albert and I normally do.”

Blood Brothers plays Ludlow Garage at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 16. Doors open at 7 p.m. Info: ludlowgaragecincinnati.com. (Jason Gargano)

Blood Brothers plays Ludlow Garage at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 16. Doors open at 7 p.m. Info: ludlowgaragecincinnati.com. (Jason Gargano)

Dave Mason

Dave Mason

Feb. 18 • Memorial Hall

British rock and roll legend with a storied career Dave Mason makes an appearance under the lights and elegance of Over-theRhine’s Memorial Hall.

Feb. 18 • Memorial Hall singing and playing. Produced by his friends and peer guitarists Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, Crown epitomizes Gales’ dynamic strengths: emotionally intense expression, the willingness and craft to blend genres like blues, rock, soul and even rap, and energetic swagger.

British rock and roll legend with a storied career Dave Mason makes an appearance under the lights and elegance of Over-theRhine’s Memorial Hall.

Mason came to prominence as a founding member of the legendary British rock band Tra c. ey released their debut album Mr. Fantasy at the height of the psychedelic era in 1967, Mason quit the band intermittently but was involved for their second record, the self-titled Trafc, which produced the classic “Feelin’ Alright” written by Mason.

Mason came to prominence as a founding member of the legendary British rock band Tra c. ey released their debut album Mr. Fantasy at the height of the psychedelic era in 1967, Mason quit the band intermittently but was involved for their second record, the self-titled Trafc, which produced the classic “Feelin’ Alright” written by Mason.

Mason’s connections to other records, sessions and artists would be enough to cement his place in rock and roll history, playing 12-string acoustic on friend Jimi Hendrix’ version of “All Along the Watchtower” and serving backing vocals on “Crosstown Tra c.” He also played guitar on Wings’ “Listen to What e Man Said,” and worked on George Harrison’s All ings Must Pass sessions and e Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet. Mason toured with Delaney and Bonnie alongside Eric Clapton before launching a successful solo career in which he collaborated with artists like Leon Russell, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Stevie Wonder, Rita Coolidge, Michael Jackson, Jim Keltner and more.

Mason’s connections to other records, sessions and artists would be enough to cement his place in rock and roll history, playing 12-string acoustic on friend Jimi Hendrix’ version of “All Along the Watchtower” and serving backing vocals on “Crosstown Tra c.” He also played guitar on Wings’ “Listen to What e Man Said,” and worked on George Harrison’s All ings Must Pass sessions and e Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet. Mason toured with Delaney and Bonnie alongside Eric Clapton before launching a successful solo career in which he collaborated with artists like Leon Russell, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Stevie Wonder, Rita Coolidge, Michael Jackson, Jim Keltner and more.

Mason’s solo career produced three gold albums and one platinum record that included a handful of charting singles, including the 1977 hit “We Just Disagree,” which has remained a radio standard and has been re-recorded by other artists over the years. He was brie y a member of Fleetwood Mac in the 1990s and toured as part of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band.

Mason’s solo career produced three gold albums and one platinum record that included a handful of charting singles, including the 1977 hit “We Just Disagree,” which has remained a radio standard and has been re-recorded by other artists over the years. He was brie y a member of Fleetwood Mac in the 1990s and toured as part of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band.

His current outing, the “Endangered Species” tour, takes him around the United States with a cast of touring musicians with their own impressive résumés.

Dave Mason plays Memorial Hall at 8 p.m. Feb. 18. Info: memorialhallotr.com.

(Brent Stroud)

His current outing, the “Endangered Species” tour, takes him around the United States with a cast of touring musicians with their own impressive résumés. Dave Mason plays Memorial Hall at 8 p.m. Feb. 18. Info: memorialhallotr.com.

(Brent Stroud)

Eric Gales

Eric Gales

Feb. 22 • Ludlow Garage

Whether the blues are being listened to or played, this most American of music genres has the power to transform. Veteran blues guitarist Eric Gales embodies the genre’s healing grace as he credits this music with saving him from mid-life self-destruction.

Feb. 22 • Ludlow Garage e Memphis native began playing guitar at age four. Despite being right-handed, Gales learned to play left-handed by copying the style of his older brother – “Little Jimmy King,” who e Memphis native began playing guitar at age four. Despite being right-handed, Gales learned to play left-handed by copying the style of his older brother – “Little Jimmy King,” who also was an acclaimed guitarist – and became a prodigy. Between his Memphis birthright and left-handed, upside-down virtuosity, Gales’ future seemed magically set as a Jimi Hendrix/Albert Kinginspired bluesman. He released his debut record at age 16 back in 1991, eventually developing a loyal audience and rep for being one of his generation’s nest blues players. But a 30-year drug addiction and brief prison sentence derailed some of these plans, not to mention career momentum. also was an acclaimed guitarist – and became a prodigy. Between his Memphis birthright and left-handed, upside-down virtuosity, Gales’ future seemed magically set as a Jimi Hendrix/Albert Kinginspired bluesman. He released his debut record at age 16 back in 1991, eventually developing a loyal audience and rep for being one of his generation’s nest blues players. But a 30-year drug addiction and brief prison sentence derailed some of these plans, not to mention career momentum.

Whether the blues are being listened to or played, this most American of music genres has the power to transform. Veteran blues guitarist Eric Gales embodies the genre’s healing grace as he credits this music with saving him from mid-life self-destruction.

“I strayed away, but the music never left me. I’m lucky that I had that to hold onto. ere are many young people today who have nothing to hold onto,” Gales told Songbirds Foundation.

“I strayed away, but the music never left me. I’m lucky that I had that to hold onto. ere are many young people today who have nothing to hold onto,” Gales told Songbirds Foundation.

Since being clean for the last ve years, Gales has released two records. Last year’s Crown was nominated for a Grammy Award and stands as a career peak in terms of his composite songwriting,

Since being clean for the last ve years, Gales has released two records. Last year’s Crown was nominated for a Grammy Award and stands as a career peak in terms of his composite songwriting, singing and playing. Produced by his friends and peer guitarists Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, Crown epitomizes Gales’ dynamic strengths: emotionally intense expression, the willingness and craft to blend genres like blues, rock, soul and even rap, and energetic swagger.

Crown’s fervent opener “Death of Me” highlights Gales’ uid ease slipping back and forth between genres as this blues/ rock mash features horns, a spoken rap and reconciliation with his past burned into the grooves. As he sings, “If you don’t learn from your mistakes, it will be the death of me,” this ushers in a new era for Eric Gales.

Crown’s fervent opener “Death of Me” highlights Gales’ uid ease slipping back and forth between genres as this blues/ rock mash features horns, a spoken rap and reconciliation with his past burned into the grooves. As he sings, “If you don’t learn from your mistakes, it will be the death of me,” this ushers in a new era for Eric Gales.

Eric Gales plays Ludlow Garage at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22. Doors open at 6 p.m. Ally Venable will open the show. Info: ludlowgaragecincinnati.com. (Greg Gaston)

Eric Gales plays Ludlow Garage at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22. Doors open at 6 p.m. Ally Venable will open the show. Info: ludlowgaragecincinnati.com. (Greg Gaston)

Anya Marina

Anya Marina

Feb. 24 • MegaCorp Pavilion

Marina made quite the name for herself in the 2010s after her songs appeared on the likes of How I Met Your Mother and Grey’s Anatomy. She even made the cut on one of those melodramatic-but-ultimately brilliant Twilight soundtracks. She’s deeper than her pop culture appearances, though. Her latest album, 2021’s Live And Alone in New York, was proof of that. e album featured a mix of songs and stories. It showcased her sweet yet mature voice and wry humor while letting listeners in on life as a prominent though not wildly popular musician. Marina seems to exist in the business exactly where any honest musician would tell you they’re happiest. And she ourishes there.

Marina made quite the name for herself in the 2010s after her songs appeared on the likes of How I Met Your Mother and Grey’s Anatomy. She even made the cut on one of those melodramatic-but-ultimately brilliant Twilight soundtracks. She’s deeper than her pop culture appearances, though. Her latest album, 2021’s Live And Alone in New York, was proof of that. e album featured a mix of songs and stories. It showcased her sweet yet mature voice and wry humor while letting listeners in on life as a prominent though not wildly popular musician. Marina seems to exist in the business exactly where any honest musician would tell you they’re happiest. And she ourishes there.

In what might just be the coolest lineup to ever grace Greater Cincinnati, singersongwriter Anya Marina is rolling through Newport while on tour with comedian Nikki Glaser. Laughs and good tunes? Yes, please.

Feb. 24 • MegaCorp Pavilion

In what might just be the coolest lineup to ever grace Greater Cincinnati, singersongwriter Anya Marina is rolling through Newport while on tour with comedian Nikki Glaser. Laughs and good tunes? Yes, please.

How do you pair a musician and comedian on tour? It’s easy when the two already work so well together. Marina and Glaser co-host the podcast We Know Nothing alongside comedian Phil Hanley. e show runs on the pretext that the trio will give advice, though they usually get sidetracked with bits about their own lives. And, yes, it’s as funny as you’d expect.

How do you pair a musician and comedian on tour? It’s easy when the two already work so well together. Marina and Glaser co-host the podcast We Know Nothing alongside comedian Phil Hanley. e show runs on the pretext that the trio will give advice, though they usually get sidetracked with bits about their own lives. And, yes, it’s as funny as you’d expect.

Anya Marina opens for Nikki Glaser at MegaCorp Pavilion at 6 p.m. Feb. 24. Info: promowestlive.com. (Deirdre Kaye)

Anya Marina opens for Nikki Glaser at MegaCorp Pavilion at 6 p.m. Feb. 24. Info: promowestlive.com. (Deirdre Kaye)

Crossword

Across

1. Doesn’t throw away

6. Like some meat cuts

10. First astrological sign