True Blues

When they're played right, the blues become a bridge between the past and the present, built musically from celebration and suffering. Singer/guitarist Corey Harris plays the blues right, recognizing their ancient origins and cultural evolution and imbuing them with modern urgency. With extensive travels throughout the African continent and an album with Malinese guitar master Ali Farke Toure (the beautiful Mississippi to Mali) under his belt, Harris ain't your typical strummer. He sits in the same league as Ben Harper (whom he's opened for on a number of tours), Alvin Youngblood Hart, and even Taj Mahal, all men who are doing their part to educate and invigorate new generations of music aficionados. When a man with a guitar -- and nothing else -- can make the blues this powerful, playful, and intense, you know he's something to hold onto.

Corey Harris plays at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at the Bamboo Room, 25 S. "J" St., Lake Worth. Tickets cost $20. Call 561-585-2583.