Tinsley Ellis and Marcia Ball Team up for Acoustic Storytelling Tour at Moondog’s (Sun., 3/26/23)

Ellis playing one of his favorite guitars, a Stratocaster. (Photo: Reagan Kelly)

Is Tinsley Ellis a traditional blues guitarist or a southern rock guitar blazer? Ellis has an affinity for both genres. And afterall isn’t blues the mother of many styles of rock? A hard working, extremely talented guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer, he was born in Atlanta and grew up in South Florida. Ellis has recorded 20 albums and is nominated for the 2023 Blues Music Awards in both the Blues Rock Album and Blues Rock Musician categories, presented by The Blues Foundation. 2022’s Devil May Care is his latest album.

Ellis is now playing a series of tour dates with another legendary blues performer, pianist Marcia Ball. Their Acoustic Songs and Stories Tour is coming to Moondog’s Pub in Blawnox on Sunday, March 26.

Ball’s music has been described as “romping Texas boogies, swampy New Orleans ballads and groove-laden Gulf Coast blues.” Her latest album, Shine Bright, produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, is full of her signature style of rollicking two-fisted piano, soulful vocals, and excellent songwriting. She’s backed by a very talented group of Texas and Louisiana musicians. In 2018, Ball received the 2022 Living Blues Award for Most Outstanding Musician—Keyboards. Both recording artists are with Alligator Records.  

Marcia Ball will be showcasing her impressive piano playing and singing skills at Shrine Center. (Photo: Mary Bruton)

Ellis and Ball will each play a solo acoustic set, and to close the evening they will join forces and share some songs and stories together. Ellis will perform many of his most popular songs, plus Delta blues covers and classics by artists like Gregg Allman, Bob Dylan, and Leo Kottke, on his 1937 National Steel and 1969 Martin D-35 guitars. Ball will play piano and sing her raucous and touching original songs that are full of the characters and places she’s encountered in her life. 

See our story and interview with Tinsley Ellis.

Tinsley Ellis and Marcia Ball are famed blues rock musicians so see them in a different way—acoustically—and gain insights into their songs and hear stories from their years on the road. Moondog’s Pub Sunday March 26, 7 p.m. 378 Freeport Rd., Blawnox.

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