With a new studio album titled Talk About That in the can for release in early 2017 on Forty Below Records (which includes special guest Joe Walsh on two tracks); and a lengthy US tour through late fall, British blues “Godfather” John Mayall announced today that effective with the upcoming tour dates, his band will perform as a trio. Mayall officially released the following statement today.
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
John Mayall US Tour Dates
9/8 Tupelo Music Hall Londonderry NH
9/9 Payomet Performing Arts Center North Truro, MA
9/10 Infinity Hall Hartford, CT
9/13 Skyline Ballroom New York, NY
9/14 Mexicali Live Teaneck, NJ
9/15 Daryl’s House Pawling, NY
9/16 Swyer 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 Winery 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 Albuquerque, NM
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
Additional dates forthcoming ….
