In the fall of 2004, on Monday nights, I would frequent a place called “Jim’s”…you might have heard of it. Upon entering, I was often greeted by the friendly owner, Jim, a guy named Karl, and bartender Pat. I’d belly-up to the bar, order a slice of pizza and a cold Shipyard Export and find a table. A group known as The Waiters would then perform and absolutely charm and capture the audience. Consisting of Miss Evan, Bernie, Al and others, they would play everything from jazz standards to soul to contemporary music and always left us satiated, yet excited about the next Monday night. Sadly, Jim’s closed in January 2005 and Mondays vanished like a Maine summer. Blue arrived on the scene on Friday, April 29, 2005 and later saw the long-awaited return of Miss Evan, Bernie, & Al with various guest musicians (i.e., trumpeters, bassists, drummers, etc.) to this venue known as Blue, formerly Jim’s.
~Barry P. Martin, Proprietor of Blue

Thomas Wilsbach & Don Wessels

Long time Irish music duo Wilsbach and Wessels return to the stage at Blue on uilleann pipes, fiddle, whistle and harmonica. Tom is a long time staple of the Brian Boru session, a true icon of Irish music in Portland and a mutli-instrumentalist. Having put in the requisite 21 years, and then some, he can officially be considered a piping master. Don brings the rare art of the Irish harmonica to the duo for what is bound to be an evening of lovely music. Their last appearance at Blue garnered rave reviews so, don't miss the encore!

Seisún (session) is a tradition throughout Ireland, in the town Pubs, where musicians, who are often patrons, gather in a large circle and acoustically perform the traditional music of Ireland. Seisún takes place right here at Blue each and every Wednesday evening around 9:00 P.M. If you have not experienced it, come down to the Blue, have a Guinness and treat yourself!

"I hear things in his music like Joe Cocker, Tom Waits, even Randy Newman... there are all these really cool sounds in his music. He writes great political songs and also just great songs about all the things that mean so much to all of us. He’s kind of the jam-master...we get a lot of performers in here who have opened for major acts all over the country, we book three months out and have a thousand press kits out back. There are different qualities to each performer, and some of these performers, a very small group, exhibit all of these qualities...I think Frank Hopkins is one of those performers."
~Mark Lembo, owner of Acoustic Coffee

Delta Blues legends Tommy Johnson, Robert Johnson, and Petey Wheatstraw were all said to have sold their souls to the devil in exchange for their exceptional musical abilities. Now, we're not saying that Samuel James sold his soul to the Devil... but we're not NOT saying that either.

So listen up, amigos…come and see the amazing Delta and Piedmont Blues man, Samuel James. Hambone, guitar, harmonica, tap dancing, a cappella, keyboards…he does it all! Mr. James is joined by the incomparable Miss Nina Marie, who moves audiences with her voice like no one else.

Rachel Griffin & Leah Finkelstein - An Evening of Dueling Pianos

In the tradition of musical collaboration, Rachel & Leah, two local amazingly talented pianists, singer-songwriters, team up again right her at Blue for another unforgettable performance!

Singer-songwriter Rachel Griffin, based in Portland, Maine, has always been a natural performer. Rachel began performing in the musical theater at age seven, appearing in venues throughout the state. By her senior year in high school, Rachel realized that she felt most comfortable at the piano, and began developing the natural songwriting skills that she had since childhood. Growing up Rachel was influenced by the soulful singing and songwriting of artists like Ben Folds, Billy Joel, Carole King and James Taylor, and she incorporated her passion for their art into her own music.

Local girl Leah Finkelstein was playing the piano long before her feet could touch the pedals, picked up the guitar when she was in high school and while in college, realized she could sing, too. At 19, she was playing nine gigs a week with local favorite Ken Grimsley and at 22, struck out on her own in Boston, created the band "The Help," and played regular shows in and around the city. These days, she is happy to be home and is hoping to re-establish herself here, this time as a solo artist. Watch this site for upcoming shows around Portland, and be sure to check out her original tunes, "One More Drink"

Paratore & Martello

A mix of traditional blues via Jimmy Reed and original songs written and arranged by guitarist Phil Paratore.  Performing as a duo with Tony Martello on bass. Jody Dube will play djembe on several songs. The sound is not easily classified: you'll hear traces of reggae, rhythm and blues, jazz and contemporary World Music with an occasional touch of Hendrix and Santana. Phillip Paratore was a recording artist for Mercury records... but that was way back when.

Erin Sprinkle returns to the Blue on this night with a style best described as moody and introspective acoustic folk-blues. Ms. Sprinkle sings and plays guitar and will be accompanied by friend Nick MacDonald and his mandolin.