G.E. Smith and The American Blues

The Suffolk presents G.E. Smith and The American Blues on Thursday, September 7, at 8 p.m. The evening will feature the ultimate blues musicologist (and East End resident) G.E. Smith along with his trio as they venture through the heart of American Blues.

As a true master of the American Blues tradition with an encyclopedic knowledge of its history, Smith brings a deep understanding of the genre to every performance. Alongside his band, he will deliver an unforgettable evening of music that weaves together the essence of blues from its earliest roots to its modern expressions.

G.E. Smith is one of the most in-demand blues and rock guitarists in the world. He may be best recognized as the Emmy-award winning bandleader for NBC’s Saturday Night Live that millions of viewers would see on their televisions every week. He has also done extensive touring playing in the bands of Bob Dylan, Roger Waters and recording with artists such as Mick Jagger, Tom Waits and many more. His first big break however came in 1979 when he teamed up with Daryl Hall and John Oates. For the next six years they recorded and toured almost non-stop. Many of the duo’s biggest records were made during this period. Songs such as “Private Eyes,” “Maneater,” “I Can’t Go for That” and “Out of Touch” propelled Hall and Oates to the top of the popular music world.

“I was really lucky to meet Daryl and John in the summer of 1979,” Smith has said of this time. “I had been living in New York City for about a year at that point playing whatever kind of gig I could pick up.”

Tickets for G.E. Smith and The American Blues are $39 to $59 at thesuffolk.org. Suffolk Theater is at 118 East Main Street, Riverhead.