“[ALBERT CUMMINGS'] muscular guitar work is simply outstanding." -
Rock and Blues Muse on Live at the ‘62 Center ALBERT CUMMINGS
TICKETS
* Pre-sale begins 9:00pm August 21
* Tickets on sale 10:00am August 23
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Seated (GA) - $25
Bar / Standing (GA) - $20
_For any wheelchair or ADA needs, please contact the Box Office in
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ALBERT CUMMINGS
Entertaining audiences from his phenomenal guitar work to his
incredibly impassioned lyrics and overall songwriting prowess - one
thing has certainly become clear about Albert Cummings’ music: He is
FAR MORE than simply just the guitarist or the bluesman he’s often
painted as by fans and the media alike. He offers the complete
package.
Though undoubtedly a masterful guitar player who burst onto the blues
rock scene in the early 2000’s and almost immediately began gaining
praise in that realm, his latest release “Live at the ‘62
Center” further portrays not only his versatility as
singer/songwriter and live performer but as an artist first and
foremost.
This comes to fruition in the true spontaneity and creative spirit of
the album, in which he put together a newly formed version of his
usual trio that afternoon of the October, 2016 recording. With
longtime friend and Grammy Winner Jim Gaines behind the soundboard,
what comes through in both sight and sound is an incredible journey
into the live performance world and true artistry of one of today’s
most seasoned musicians.
“His muscular guitar work is simply outstanding. He’s a great
blues singer as well with passion for the tunes inherent in his full
throttle approach.” - Rock and Blues Muse on Live at the ‘62
Center
Like many greats before him who’ve been painted into a corner as
merely great blues players, or guitar players, or singers - Cummings
seeks to rise above these labels and be praised for the devotion to
his overall craft as a true musician. In artist terms - he’s sought
to be known for the overall pallet of his music, rather than one
specific color. From greats like Eric Clapton to the more recent
stylings of John Mayer, his artistic integrity has allowed him to
focus on the big picture, writing songs from the heart rather than
catering to his specifics strengths as a singer, guitarist, or
bandleader (all of which he does impeccably, however).
His musical journey began when young Albert first picked up a guitar -
learning the requisite three chords from his father, but later
switched over to banjo at the age of 12 after becoming a bluegrass
fan. After hearing the early recordings of Stevie Ray Vaughan, he was
impressed by the sheer virtuosity of the artist, and following his
first chance to see him LIVE while in college in Boston he returned to
the guitar with a new outlook and resolve.
At age 27, as he continued to grow in his newfound passion, he landed
on the Northeast blues circuit with his first band Swamp Yankee. Then,
in 1998, after walking into a Northeast Blues Society’s open jam,
Cummings won the right to compete in the Blues Foundation’s
International Blues Challenge the following year. By 2000, his debut
single “The Long Way” was released to rave reviews, and began
opening new doors for the artist.
His first big opportunity came in the form of a chance to work with
Double Trouble, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan’s rhythm section. So
taken with Albert’s fire and passion were bassist Tommy Shannon and
drummer Chris Layton that they volunteered to play on and produce his
solo debut recording, 2003’s self-released From the Heart. Recorded
in Austin, Texas, it featured Cummings fronting Double Trouble
(including Reese Winans) in their first recording project since Stevie
Ray’s passing. Having began his musical journey in part due to
Vaughan’s inspiration, it seemed Cummings’ passion had brought him
full-circle.
Cummings’ soulful and explosive approach to blues and rock then
caught the attention of Blind Pig Records (Muddy Waters, Jimmy Vivino,
Elvin Bishop), which signed him to a multi-album deal. On his label
debut, True to Yourself, released in 2004, Cummings was again joined
by bassist Tommy Shannon. Recorded by producer extraordinaire Jim
Gaines (Santana, Stevie Ray, Buddy Guy), the all-original release
showcased Albert’s rapidly developing songwriting chops and deeply
emotional vocals as well as stunning guitar pyrotechnics, fully
showcasing his well-rounded talents.
Soon tours and shows with blues legends B.B. King, Johnny Winter,
Buddy Guy and others brought Albert’s music to a much larger
audience.
His second release, Working Man (2006), also produced by Jim Gaines,
furthered a growing focus and maturity both in Albert’s stinging,
incisive guitar work as well as in his fluently idiomatic songwriting
- leading Billboard Magazine to exclaim “This recording is the
calling card of a star who has arrived”.
2008 saw his first live album “Feel So Good”, recorded at the
historic Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, Massachusetts which has
hosted everyone from Will Rogers to Al Jolson. The audience was so
enthralled and supportive they became part of the performance in a way
that’s rarely heard. As AllMusic put it, “It sounds like it was
one hell of a party that night”. Music Connection also called it
“one of the best live albums recorded in a long time”.
As he continued to grow, playing with the likes of legends from B.B.
King (who called dubbed him “a great guitarist”), Johnny Winter,
Buddy Guy, and many more - Cummings built on not only his all-around
songwriting and musicianship but his guitar playing skill as well.
Using his knowledge to give back to fellow guitarists wanting to
advance in their craft, he released the instructional DVD “Working
Man Blues Guitar” in 2011. His next album, 2012’s self-released
“No Regrets” followed as a return to his true musical roots,
poignantly capturing the core of his influences and displaying the
impact that R&B, Rock, Soul, Country, and the Blues have had on both
his playing and writing. It debuted at #1 on iTunes music charts in
the USA, Canada and France.
2015’s “Someone Like You” was recorded in Southern California
with Grammy-winning producer David Z. (Buddy Guy, Prince, Jonny Lang,
Gov’t Mule) at the helm. Said Z, “Albert Cummings writes, plays
and sings the blues like nobody else. What a blast to watch him jell
in the studio with some of the best musicians in Los Angeles.” One
of those musicians was Blind Pig label mate and leader of The Basic
Cable Band on the Conan TV show, Jimmy Vivino, who performs on three
cuts.
Now, as he continues writing and performing, relentlessly devoting
effort to his craft, Cumming’s is ready to continue on his ever
expansive musical journey.
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16/11/2019 Last update