“I don’t know how many people rehearsed with a senator in the Senate building—probably not too many.”

Also rising female EDM stars at Echostage, Ladies Night on Stage at Tortoise & Hare, plus much more.

D.C’s veteran blues quartet reminds us that the music scene in the District isn’t just for the young pups.

When it comes to modern American music, all roads lead to the blues. Unfortunately, it’s all-too-often seen as a museum piece. Musician Corey Harris aims to change that perception.

Tonight, Madam’s Organ, a second home for D.C. blues mainstay Ben Andrews who died two week’s ago in W. Va., will be holding a musical memorial/tribute in his honor from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Andrews passed away on April 13 at a hospital in Martinsburg, which is still under investigation according to West Virginia authorities.

According to his Washington Post obituary, Andrews was a founding member of the D.C. Blues Society and was a regular face at Madam’s Organ, as well as the Old Grog and Tankard, for the past 16 years.

After having toured and recorded for over a decade, Robert Cray had a breakthrough with his 1986 release, Strong Persuader, which included his signature tune, “Smoking Gun”. Though the subject of criticism in those early days because of his willingness to embrace contemporary production techniques and incorporate soul and rock elements into his version of the blues, Cray’s recorded output over 30 plus years on the scene and continuous touring around the world prove that…

The 5th Annual Congressional Blues Festival has been announced, and will take place on Wednesday, April 23 at the Kennedy Center’s South Plaza. This year’s festival lineup includes the stellar Robert Cray (pictured), Elvin Bishop, Mudcat, the duo of Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, and others. The festival is a free event, but tickets are limited and are available through a lottery system on the festival’s website. Lottery registration begins Monday, March 10 at…

The smokin’ eight piece band just blazed its way through an uptempo blues shuffle, with each tuxedo-clad musician taking an extended solo. The rhythm section got soft and settled into a groovy vamp as one of the horn players stepped up to the mic and announced,”Ladies and gentlemen! The Undisputed King of the Blues, B.B. King!” The crowd at the Music Center at Strathmore rose to its feet, and there was B.B. Sporting a tux…

While there are some great shows coming up in January, this week is still subject to holiday doldrums. Here are a few shows to check out. >> Tomorrow, vocalist/pianist Mose Allison comes to Blues Alley to begin a four night stand with daily 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. It is common for touring jazz acts to hire local rhythm sections, and concert goers will be treated to two of D.C.’s finest in bassist Tommy…

So now you know who we loved locally this year. Here’s our list of the live shows that came through town and left a lasting impression in ’07. Dismemberment Plan Reunion Shows @ Black Cat DCist Ian says: The Plan’s much anticipated reunion to benefit Cal Robbins, the son of Jawbox/Burning Airlines frontman and recording engineer J. Robbins, sold out in under five minutes. So Travis Morrison & co. added a second show. In all…