One of the blues music’s last pioneers will finally make a delayed visit to Bloomington this coming week. Blues guitarist Buddy Guy will play IU Auditorium on Thursday night alongside the Indianapolis-based Gordon Bonham Blues Band.
Guy’s appearance at IU Auditorium had originally been scheduled for Nov. 15, 2016, but was postponed due to an unforeseen conflict as announced by Guy on Nov. 9.
Tickets remain available at all price levels, ranging from $43.50 to $73.50. Tickets can be purchased on the IU Auditorium website or by phone, and tickets purchased for the show’s original date will be honored.
Born in 1936, Guy rose to fame as a guitarist in Chicago in the 50s and 60s performing on records alongside Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, according to a release from RCA Records.
In the years since, Guy has won six Grammy awards, a Kennedy Center honor and the National Medal of the Arts and has endured as one of blues music’s pioneers and most prominent advocates.
Artists who name Guy as an influence include Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin and John Mayer, according to the release.
Guy’s most recent album, “Born to Play Guitar,” was released in 2015. He continues to tour regularly, including annual residencies at his Chicago club Buddy Guy’s Legends.
The opening act Thursday night will be the Gordon Bonham Blues Band. Since releasing their first album in 1998, the band has played alongside or opened for artists that include Bo Diddly, B.B. King and Robert Cray.
Gordon Bonham’s music ranges from “big Texas shuffles to jumpin’ West Coast swing,” according to the band’s website. Thursday’s show will begin at 7:30 p.m.
The rescheduling of Guy’s visit to IU Auditorium makes it the final performance currently scheduled at the venue until Sept. 26, 2017, when its recently announced 2017-18 season begins with dance performance Diavolo.
The fall and spring events also include Monty Python’s John Cleese, Alton Brown, Straight No Chaser and the musical The Sound of Music. Details on all performances can be found at iuauditorium.com/events.
Michael Williams
