UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The annual winter concert series at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake continues on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 3 p.m. in Riffe’s Meeting House next to the Hotel.

The program features the veteran Bay Area blues pianist and educator Macy Blackman and two members of his band, the “Mighty Fines,” Nancy Wright on sax and vocals and Bing Nathan on bass.

“Our first program in January was great fun and focused on the history of jazz in America,” says Tallman owner Bernie Butcher. “I can’t think of a better way to follow that up than with our friend Macy Blackman playing and talking about the blues.”

Hearing Macy Blackman at the piano is like stepping into an uptown New Orleans club circa 1955. He’s been into this music since before graduating from NYU with a music degree in 1970.

A renowned musicologist, Macy moved to San Francisco in 2000 to teach courses at UC Berkeley. These popular classes explored major American musical styles of the twentieth century – rhythm and blues, swing and classic jazz.

He soon drifted back to his roots in New Orleans R&B and formed The Mighty Fines in 2003. That band has recorded 4 CDs including the most recent titled Shoorah Shoorah – The Songs of Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint.

“This new recording is a tribute to the music and genius of the Soul Queen and King of New Orleans,” he said, “and it’s by far our best effort yet. We’re looking forward to playing a few of these tunes at the Tallman show.”

Sax mistress Nancy Wright needs no introduction to Lake County music fans as she’s performed here at the Blue Wing Blues Festival and a variety of other venues.

She has recorded and performed om the U.S. and abroad with artists including John Lee Hooker, B. B. King, Elvin Bishop, Joe Louis Walker, and Commander Cody and she now has her own “Rhythm and Roots” Band.

Tickets at $25 plus tax are available by calling the Tallman Hotel at 707-275-2244, Extension 0. Coffee and cookies are served to guests.

The Hotel is also offering a 10-percent discount on hotel bookings that weekend for people purchasing tickets to the concert.