The blues is a deep African-American tradition and aesthetic that has shaped rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, jazz and a whole lot more.
Originally from Savannah, Ga., XY Eli Williams plays the blues — with evocations of Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker — but he’s also an obvious student of Jimi Hendrix and more contemporary pop. Williams teaches the blues and history in Hartford, where he has lived for decades.
Hear his band play at the Artists Collective, 1200 Albany Ave., Hartford, on Friday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m. $10. 860-527-3205 and artistscollective.org.
