Selwyn Birchwood Band performs at Ace’s in Bradenton

Selwyn Birchwood may be the hottest young blues musician in the country. He won the 2013 International Blues Challenge, a huge competition that attracts musicians from all over the world. That same year, he took home the Albert King Guitarist of the Year Award. Shortly afterwards, he signed to Alligator Records, which is widely considered one of the best independent blues labels.

He performs all over the world, but we get to see him pretty often in the Bradenton. He lived in Tampa until recently, and now he lives in Orlando. He recently played at the Blue Rooster in Sarasota and at Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa. On Saturday, the Selwyn Birchwood Band will be right here in Bradenton for a concert at Ace’s Live.

Birchwood, a lanky 29-year-old who looks even younger, plays fiery original blues that’s just as influenced by Jimi Hendrix as it is by the blues pioneers who inspired Hendrix in the first place. There’s plenty of raw emotion in his songs and his signing to go along with the polished virtuosity of his playing, but Birchwood’s love of the blues and of his audience gives him a radiant stage presence. He may be singing the blues, but he makes that a joyful experience for himself and everyone who hears him.

Birchwood has drawn raves from Rolling Stone (“a powerhouse player and emotive performer. Birchwood is a major player. Highly recommended”), the Washington Post (“an indelibly modern and original next-generation bluesman”) and Blues Matters (“a genius revelation and a pleasure”).

Details: 8 p.m. Oct. 1, Ace’s Live, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., Bradenton. $12 advance, $15 day of show: 941-795-3886, aceslivemusic.com.

This story was originally published September 28, 2016 at 5:06 PM with the headline "Selwyn Birchwood Band performs at Ace’s in Bradenton."