'I'll Have a Blues Christmas' at The Suffolk

The Suffolk presents “I’ll Have a Blues Christmas” featuring The Kerry Kearney Band & Friends on Sunday, December 8, at 7 p.m.

This holiday season welcomes a not-so-blue blues Christmas featuring The Kerry Kearney Band along with special guests Anastasia Rene, Frank Latorre, Pamela Betti and Jack Licitra for a night of soulful blues, electrifying performances and festive cheer. Whether you’re a blues lover or just looking for a different way to enjoy the holidays, this show will lift your spirits and leave you feeling the magic of Christmas through great music.

Kerry Kearney (pronounced “Car-Nee”), a slide guitar master, plays and works his instrument to limits that amaze even the most seasoned musician or cultured music fan. The sounds Kearney creates from his vintage, stock and custom-made guitars are as unique as his song writing and original melodies. Kearney was voted “Best Guitarist of 1999” by the LI Voice and “Bluesman of the Year 2004” by the LI Blues Society. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Long Island Sound Award (L.I.S.A.) from the Long Island Music Hall of Fame and most recently, in 2013, he and his band mates were each inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame. He has toured nationally and internationally with the Allman Brothers Band and Dickey Betts, and has performed with such contemporaries as Sonny Landreth and Robert Randolf. Kerry and his band have shared the stage with the great BB King at the NYCB Westbury Theater and at the Paramount Theater in Huntington, as well as Robert Cray with the Blind Boys of Alabama and The Blues Brothers starring Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi.

Kerry Kearney’s style, music from the “Psychedelta”, is his own brand containing an upbeat mix of American blues and roots, created from writing and performing on the circuit for over 40 years. Along with his band, he has continued to experience an overwhelming and positive response over the airwaves and especially when performing live. His wailing upbeat style of blues, driven by tasty, inspired guitar riffs, electrifying slide and infectious rhythms, has allowed Kearney to amass a huge loyal following. The Kerry Kearney Band recently celebrated 20 years to a sold-out show at the Boulton Center in Bay Shore.

In addition to Kearney (guitars, vocals), The Kerry Kearney Band lineup includes Mario Staiano (drums) and Gerry Sorrentino (bass).

Tickets are $39 to $59 at thesuffolk.org. The Suffolk is at 118 East Main Street in Riverhead.