Blues-rock pioneer John Mayall has played many thousands of gigs over the past half-century, but he has never performed without a second guitarist in his band—until now. Mayall has announced that henceforth he will be performing all dates accompanied only by bassist Greg Rzab and drummer Jay Davenport.
Mayall, 82, will release his next album, Talk About That, on January 27, 2017 on Forty Below Records. The album includes special guest Joe Walsh on two tracks, “The Devil Must Be Laughing” and “Cards on the Table,” both Mayall compositions. He officially released the following statement on September 1 regarding his decision to go out on tour with a trio configuration.
TO MY FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS
As many of you will have heard the dramatic news that I will now be performing live shows as a trio, I feel I should explain how it all came about in a chain of events that led to my decision. Due to severe storm conditions recently, guitarist Rocky Athas was unable to get out of Dallas for my recent festival shows that led to my performing as a trio. Having never performed anywhere or at any time without a guitar sidekick, I found that I was able to explore new territories in a trio configuration playing organ, keyboards, harmonica and guitar. Needless to say I was surprised at how different and stimulating the experience was for me as a performer.
Several days after the show I made the decision to explore this new venture. When I told Rocky of my decision, he was very understanding and hopefully his popularity in my band for the past seven years will be increased as he resumes his solo career. To me it seems fitting that the final guitar position in my band featured one of the nicest and most talented guys I’ve known and the best in his field. We all wish him well.
So now, as Greg Rzab, Jay Davenport and I embark on several weeks of intensive touring all around the States, we hope you all will enjoy the fireworks coming your way as my live show calendar brings us to your expectant ears.
Thank you everyone.
John Mayall
September 2016
Watch John Mayall performs in Virginia in early 2016
Related: Joe Walsh to guest on next Mayall album
John Mayall U.S. Tour Dates (Click here or here for tickets)
9/8—Tupelo Music Hall—Londonderry NH
9/9—Payomet Performing Arts Center—North Truro, MA
9/10—Infinity Hall—Hartford, CT
9/13—Highline Ballroom—New York, NY
9/14—Mexicali Live—Teaneck, NJ
9/15—Daryl’s House—Pawling, NY
9/16—Sawyer Theatre—The Egg—Albany, NY
9/17—Niagara Falls Blues Festival—Niagara Falls, NY
9/18—State Theatre—State College, PA
9/20—Artsquest Musikfest Café—Bethlehem, PA
9/21—Jergel’s Rhythm—Warrendale, PA
9/22—The Kent Stage—Kent, OH
9/23—Notes at Copious—Columbus, OH
9/24—Live at Ludlow Garage—Cincinnati, OH
9/25—Buskirk-Chumley Theatre—Bloomington, IN
9/27—Callahan’s Music Hall—Auburn Hills, MI
9/28—Holland Park Theater—Holland, MI
9/29—The Warehouse—Carmel, IN
9/30—City Winery—Chicago, IL
10/1—Shank Hall—Milwaukee, WI
10/2—Dakota Jazz Club—Minneapolis, MN
10/4—The Washington—Burlington, IA
10/5—Knucklehead’s Saloon—Kansas City, MO
10/7—King Biscuit Blues Festival—Helena, AR
10/8—Gumbo Festival at Smith Park—Jackson, MS
10/9—City Winer—Atlanta, GA
10/11—King Center—Melbourne, FL
10/12—Amaturo Theater—Ft. Lauderdale, FL
10/13—Capitol Theater—Clearwater, FL
10/14—Lyric Theatre—Stuart, FL
10/15—Ponte Vedra Concert Hall—Ponte Vedra, FL
11/3 & 11/6—Jazz Alley—Seattle, WA
11/7—Aladdin Theater—Portland, OR
11/9—Tower Theatre—Bend, OR
11/10—El Rey Theatre—Chico, CA
11/11—Rio Theater—Santa Cruz, CA
11/12-11/13—Yoshi’s—Oakland, CA
11/14—Tower Theatre for Performing Arts—Fresno, CA
11/15—Crest Theater—Sacramento, CA
11/16—Fremont Theater—San Luis Obispo, CA
11/17—Canyon Club—Agoura Hills, CA
11/18—The Rose—Pasadena, CA
11/19—The Coach House—San Juan Capistrano, CA
11/20—Belly Up Tavern—Solana Beach, CA
1 Comment
Dang! No shows even close to North Carolina. I share a birthday with John. Guess I gotta do what I can to get to a show.