ZZ Ward didn’t have to look too far for inspiration on her second full-length album, 2017’s The Storm. Equally evocative of blues grit and hip-hop bounce, the Los Angeles-based vocal powerhouse and multi-instrumentalist leapt forward by taking a deeper look at some of her earliest inspirations—including Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, Vera Ward Hall, and Big Mama Thornton.

“For me, this album wasn’t really about experimenting,” she admits. “It was more about simplicity, honing in on what I love about music and what makes me who I am as an artist. Growing up, I listened to a lot of hip-hop and blues, and I love those two genres so much. Sometimes, to evolve you don’t need to go outside of yourself; you can reach further inside of yourself instead.” It’s a realization for the Fedora-rocking, guitar-shredding, harmonica-wielding blues siren peppered an old back porch musical recipe with hip-hop urgency and hash-taggable wisdom.

Patrick Droney, who was awarded the Robert Johnson Star Award in 2006 as the country’s most promising blues artist opens the night.

Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark St. Monday, February 17, 8:00 pm.  $30.00 general admission at revolutionhall.com. Various VIP packages are available from $140.00 – $580.00 (see website for details). Minors seating in balcony only.

Photo by Bob Sekinger

There’s no question that Marcia Ball and Sonny Landreth are two of the world’s premier blues musicians, each possessing long and celebrated histories. Any show featuring either one is worth attending, but a show where they share a stage is simply a must-attend event.

For over five decades Marcia Ball has been delivering some of the most raucous New Orleans-inspired piano playing to the delight of audiences world-wide. Her music has been heard in venues and festivals everywhere as well as at the White House, the television series Treme and Austin City Limits. Along the way she has also earned many awards including Grammys and Blues Music Awards.

Photo by Greg Johnson

Louisiana’s Sonny Landreth is renowned as one of the finest slide guitarists on the scene today. His ground-breaking playing is full of experimentation and has also received Grammy nominations and Blues Music Award wins and has been a featured artist on Eric Clapton’s Crossroads concerts multiple times.

Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave. Thursday, February 13, 8:00 pm. General admission tickets are $39.50 at Eventbrite.com, $42.00 day of show. All ages

C.W. Stoneking is an artist for whom ‘unexpected’ is probably the default setting. How else to describe such a fine purveyor of American roots music who also happens to be a towering, youthful-faced white Australian man? He surprises first-time listeners, throws curveballs at long-time fans, and everything he does contains at least some background level of bafflement for all involved.

There are multitudes in Stoneking’s music. It’s probably easiest to describe him as a ‘blues artist,’ but the term disguises what makes his music special — there’s just so much there. A 1920s pre-war blues sound is key, but there’s almost equal helpings of New Orleans jazz, jug band music, hokum, country and calypso, and he’s lately brought in elements of jump jive, early rock’n’roll and gospel. His gift is that he brings them all together without anything sounding out of place.

Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi Ave. Wednesday, February 12, 8:00 pm.  $20.00 general admission at Mississippistudios.com. 21 & over.

Bonnie Raitt not only infused the world with incredible music but also deeply inspired generations of performers and songwriters. She showed women they could rock with ferocity and proved to everyone that female players should be taken seriously. Simply put, she changed the face of music. Join this all-star cast of musicians, including Anita Lee Elliot, Bre Gregg, LaRhonda Steele, Lisa Mann, Anne Weiss, Dan Gildea, JP Garau and Dan Stueber, as they pay tribute to the queen of the bottleneck blues.

Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta St. Saturday, February 8 and Sunday, February 9, 7:00 pm. $18.00 advance at Etix.com, $22.00 at the door. Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Catfish Lou’s Wecomes Back Albert Castiglia

Flordia bluesman Albert Castiglia served an apprenticeship while backing the legendary Junior Wells and later went on to work with singer Sandra Hall. Never content to confine himself to any particular category, he embarked on a solo career that’s yielded eight critically acclaimed album and consistent kudos for his exceptional instrumental prowess, his searing vocals, and live performances that have dazzled audiences from coast to coast. As M Music & Musicians describes Castiglia, “[h]is back-to-basics approach follows in the footsteps of those who fostered the blues in the Mississippi Delta and the smoky late-night haunts of Chicago.”

Catfish Lou’s, 2460 SW Fallbrook Dr, Beaverton. Saturday, February 8, 8:00 pm. $15.00 at Eventbrite.com or the venue.