Ben Levin
ERIN HARPE CBD (Country Blues Duo) with Jim Countryman Opening
Saturday, July 30
Show: 8p | Doors: 7p
Tickets: $15 ($2 Service Charge Included With Online Tickets. All sales are final, no ticket refunds or exchanges. Seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and seats are not guaranteed with ticket purchase.)
benlevinpiano.com
erinharpe.com
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“If you like traditional blues piano as much as I do, you’ll be beaming throughout.” - Marty Gunther, review of "Before Me" in Blues Blast magazine, August 2019.
Ben Levin is a 22 year old blues pianist/vocalist from Cincinnati, OH. Ben started playing professionally at age 11 with his father's band, the Heaters, and now plays 100+ gigs a year while attending the University of Cincinnati. Ben has played prestigious shows/events in the U.S. and around the world such as the Cincy Blues Fest, the LaRoquebrou (France) International Boogie and Blues Festival, the UK Boogie Fest, and the Beauforthuis festival in the Netherlands.
In 2018 the Ben Levin Duo reached the semi-finals in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. In 2018 he was nominated for two awards from Blues Blast magazine: Debut CD of the year for Ben’s Blues and Sean Costello Rising Star award.
Ben released his second CD "Before Me" in July 2019 and it finished the year at number 80 on the Contemporary blues Roots Music Reports list, based on radio airplay. In 2020 "Before Me" was nominated for a Blues Music Award for "best emerging artist album."
In 2020 Ben recorded his third studio album, "Carryout Or Delivery." The album was released in the fall by Vizztone Label Group, receiving high acclaim around the world, and debuting in the top 50 on radio-based charts such as Living Blues, Roots Music Report, and Australian Blues and Roots. Carryout Or Delivery also debuted in the top 10 for blues albums on iTunes.
Ben continued to gig around Cincinnati in 2021 and played his first gig in Chicago at Rosa's Lounge. He was honored to lead the all-star band that included blues legends Bob Stroger and Jimmy Burns. Ben also organized his first concert series, seven blues brunches, at the Hard Rock Casino in Cincinnati. He featured elder statesmen of the blues such as Bob Stroger and Lil' Jimmy Reed, along with labelmate Hanna PK.
In October, Ben released his third album with Vizztone, "Still Here", which debuted at #3 on iTunes Blues Charts and #10 on Billboard Blues Charts. This was Ben's most personal album to date, as it honors his father after he recovered from a battle for his life against Covid. "Still Here" received airplay on Serious XM Bluesville, and the first single from the album "Love and Friendship" debuted at #6 for the top 15 Rack of Blues during the first week of January.
Erin Harpe has been called “one of the most dynamic, talented and exciting roots rocking blues women on the scene” by Living Blues Magazine. The singer, songwriter, guitarist, and band leader was recently named New England’s “Blues Artist of the Year”.
Once described as “Bonnie Raitt on modern performance enhancing drugs” for her work with her award-winning electric blues band Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers, more recently Erin has been gaining attention as a celebrated acoustic guitarist and purveyor of 1920's and 30's finger-style country blues. Erin grew up learning the style from her dad, Neil Harpe, and watching local Piedmont blues luminaries such as John Cephas & Phil Wiggins, Archie Edwards, John Jackson, Eleanor Ellis, and Warner Williams, at Washington DC’s famed Archie’s Barbershop.
Erin gets back to her roots in acoustic blues for her new Country Blues Duo (a.k.a. “CBD”) with longtime partner/bassist Jim Countryman. Appropriately dubbed “shit-kicking blues” on a recent UK tour, the new duo creates a very full sound with their down-home duo, which features Erin on acoustic guitar, vocals, kazoo & foot percussion, with Jim on ukulele bass and backing vocals. Their energetic performances transport the audience to the Delta, with vintage classics by the likes of Memphis Minnie, Mississippi John Hurt, Tommy Johnson and Blind Blake – elevated by Erin's own interpretations, and mixed in seamlessly with original compositions and country blues takes on other popular songs. Erin Harpe CBD is a must-see roots act that will get any crowd moving – now accepting bookings for Spring/Summer 2022!