Once again Starkville welcomes the talent of Grammy award contenders. The International Bistro and State Theater will host an evening of blues with singer/songwriter and guitarist Alvin “Youngblood” Hart on Jan 31.
Hart is nominated in the best traditional blues album category for his July 2002 release of Down In the Alley. Performing with Hart is guitarist Audley Freed of rock band Jimmy Page and The Black Crows.
Among others competing for the title of best traditional blues album are musical giants B.B. King and R.L. Burnside.
Dave Hood, owner of The International Bistro, said that he is excited to host an artist with the caliber of talent Hart has.
“I’ve never seen him perform live, but his recent CD is fantastic,” Hood said.
Hart’s achievements began long before his recent nomination. His debut release of Big Mamas’ Door earned three 1997 Living Blues Critics Poll Awards including Best Blues Album, Best Debut Album and Best Traditional Album of the Year. He was also the recipient of the 1997 W.C. Handy Award for Best New Artist.
Hart’s musical background started at age 14, when he taught himself to play guitar. Although he was born in Oakland, Calif., Hart contributes much of his musical inspirations to the frequent visits to his grandmother’s house here in northern Mississippi, 25 miles east of Greenwood.
Some of his musical influences include blues greats Charlie Patton, Leadbelly and Blind Willie McTell. Hart made his first appearance in 1991 at the San Francisco Blues Festival.
Along with writing music for himself, Hart has also appeared on several tribute albums, including Paint It Blue: Songs of the Rolling Stones, Hellhound On My Trail: Songs of Robert Johnson, and Blue Haze: Songs of Jimmy Hendrix, just to name a few.
When he’s not touring or creating award winning music, Hart owns and operates a small guitar repair shop with his wife, Heidi.
The concert begins at 9:30 p.m. For tickets, contact The International Bistro at 323-2591 or The State Theater at 323-5056.