Sun 1/26 @ noon (doors 11am)
Old blues men never retire — they just keep on playing until they drop. And this week, the Music Box Supper Club is hosting a Sunday blues brunch featuring harmonica player Wallace Coleman, now in his late 80s, and his band (guitarists Mike Modlin and John Lucic, bassist Steve Hudick, drummer Greg Martin and piano player Bob Corlett.)
Like many of his generation, and like his eventual bandleader Robert Lockwood Jr. who died at the age of 91, he came up north at the end of the Great Migration, moving from Tennessee to Cleveland in the 1950s, and becoming part of the local blues community. With an active scene and touring circuit, Coleman absorbed diverse blues styles including traditional Delta blues and electrified Chicago blues. After retiring from Hough Bakeries at age 51, Coleman joined Lockwood’s band fulltime, the only harmonica player to perform with him.
Coleman left Lockwood’s band (with his encouragement) after a decade to form his own ensemble in 1997. Since then he’s toured the world, played at major blues festivals in Europe and the U.S., released several albums and remained a beloved part of the area blues scene.
You can just pay admission to the show or sign up for brunch, which is extra. Either way you should make a reservation. Go here.