June 5, 2010
Doors 6:30 p.m. Music 7:30 p.m.
Admission $20, or 2 for $35, includes food by Claudia Gibson.
Reservations (required) 434-361-1999.

…countrified blues and swing…

Bluzonia is a quartet (bass, drums, harmonica and guitar) that plays old-time hillbilly boogie. This style had its heyday after World War II and on, into the early ’50s. It’s a lively music that’s a grand amalgam of American music: country, blues and swing.

Drummer John Stubblefield is steeped in jazz and builds his own drums. Arin Bennett, on bass, is the root and foundation of the band. His playing is heavily influenced by blues players of the ’40s and ’50s. Doug Hedstrom is a country guitar player with a good sense of jazz harmony. He builds his own guitars and amplifiers. Dave Connolly picked up the harmonica when he was 13 and living in Hong Kong; since then, he has mastered the styles of the great blues harmonica players.

Bluzonia has a unique take on American Roots music, combining elements of Chicago and Delta blues, smokey jazz standards, revved-up swing, country classics and Doug Hedstrom’s one-of-a-kind originals.

Doug Hedstrom, guitar and vocals
John Stubblefield, drums and percussion
Arin Bennett, bass
“Blind Dave” Connolly, harmonica and vocals