Portland guitarist and singer Mary Flower will celebrate the release of her new CD, Livin’ With The Blues Again, during a special engagement at the Secret Society ballroom. This marks her twelfth recording in a long and busy career.

Livin’ With The Blues Again was recorded in California on the Little Village Foundation label, co-produced by pianist Jim Pugh. Mary was fortunate to collaborate with some great players on this project, including Suzy Thompson on vocals and fiddle, as well as vocals from The Sons of the Soul Revivers, three gospel singing brothers (who will be making a return appearance at this year’s Waterfront Blues Festival).

The recording features mostly original songs, with some solo instrumentals and many tunes with a ragtime or blues groove. This consummate Mary Flower, finger picking the way she does, giving due to the old masters, all while creating her own definition of roots music.

Secret Society Ballroom, 116 NE Russell St. Sunday, June 23, 7:00 pm. Advance tickets at Ticketfly.com $25.00, includes a copy of the CD for each ticket holder.

2019 Cider Summit PDX returns for the ninth year celebrating the flavors from more than 150 ciders, cider cocktails, and apple spirits at the Fields Neighborhood Park in NW Portland’s Pearl District.  A souvenir glass and tasting tickets are included with your admission. The region’s largest cider festival is a benefit for Dove Lewis Animal Hospital, the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research, and the Cascade Blues Association. Two days of cider tasting, an Oregon Fruit Cider Challenge with pilot batches with winners chosen  by the attendees’ votes, food offerings and blues music performances: Friday – Kenny Lavitz (3:15 pm), Lloyd Jones (4:30 pm) and Ellen Whyte (6:00 pm); Saturday – Norman Sylvester  (12:30 pm), Jay Koder & Louis Pain (1:45 pm), and Terry Robb (3:15 pm).

Fields Neighborhood Park – 1099 NW Overton Street.. Friday, June 21, 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Saturday, June 21, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm.  Advance tickets at cidersummitnw.com $25.00 general admission, $40.00 VIP (early entry and additional tasting tickets). Admission $35.00 (no VIP Tickets) at the gate. 21 & over, no babies or toddlers. Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome (a dog lounge will be on-site with shade and water).

As “The Godfather of British Blues,” John Mayall has an impressive musical career that spans over 50 years. The English blues singer, pianist, harmonica player, guitarist, and songwriter founded the band, the Bluesbreakers in the 1960s, whose alumni include many celebrated guitarists, including Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, Mick Taylor, Walter Trout, Coco Montoya, and Buddy Whittington.

After relocating to Los Angeles in 1969, Mayall began forming bands with American musicians, and throughout the next three decades, Mayall became further revered for his many jazz/rock/blues innovations featuring such notable performers as Blue Mitchell, Red Holloway, Larry Taylor, and Harvey Mandel.

In 2008 Mayall made the decision to permanently retire the Bluesbreakers name and in 2009 started a new era of touring with band members Rocky Athas on guitar, Jay Davenport on drums and Greg Rzab on bass.  Recently, after several years working without a lead guitarist, Mayall has hired renowned Texas string slinger Carolyn Wonderland to become the first woman to hold down the lead guitar role in the band.

Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave. Tuesday, June 18. 8:00 pm. $35.00 Ticketfly.com. All ages. California guitarist Tommy Odetto opens the show.

Known for their can’t-miss, full-throttle live performances, Austin’s Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears are touring in support of their latest recording, The Difference Between Me & You. Their new album returns Lewis to his original love for blues and soul music and is inspired by Albert King’s heavy grooves, R.L. Burnside’s punk blues, Bobby Bland’s talent for storytelling, and The Stones use of soulfully-layered horns.

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears at Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi Ave. Tuesday, June 4, 9:00 pm. $18.00 advance Ticketfly.com, $20.00 at door. 21 & over. Arkansas rockers Amasa Hines opens.

Carvin Jones, “The King of Strings,” is an explosive blues front man who astounds crowds with his raw talent and charisma. His remarkable energy, showmanship and guitar ability have made him a favorite of music fans and fellow musicians alike all over the world. At a very young age, he was seduced by the blues by listening to BB King records. Guitarist Magazine named Jones as one of the 50 greatest blues guitarists of all time. A world renowned blues rock icon who has performed in 36 countries on 3 continents averaging 330 live performances a year. With a sound undoubtedly reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix, Jones has received accolades from the likes of BB King and Buddy Guy

The Big Legrowki 812 NW Couch St. Saturday, May 11, 2019, 9:00 pm. Tickets through Eventbrite.com $25.00 general admission, VIP $75.00 (pre-show meet-&-greet, laminated VIP lanyard, complimentary drink, personal photo of you and Carvin Jones with you wearing his hat and his guitar strapped around you, onstage while he sings his favorite song) 21 & over.