Blues In the Basement- Ian Hendrickson-Smith at the Cellar Tonight!

As the easter weekend draws upon us, the sun beams on our shoulders. The warm wind whispers in our ears. The bright buds of the cherry trees smack smiles upon the faces of unfriendly winter hermits. But before I get all geared for hot sun and cool bubblegum radio pop-tunes (... just me?) maybe I should take a minute to reflect on my recently departed winter blues. And how freaking awesome the blues can be.

Enter Ian Hendrickson-Smith, a New Yorker set on exploring the basements of Vancouver and filling them with his funkdriven souljazz. Tonight the talented tenor saxophonist makes his return to the Cellar, seeming to take the theme of his latest release Blues in the Basement, rather seriously. When in NY, Hendrickson-Smith's posse includes his band the Dap Kings with singer Sharon Jones, rehab rejecter Amy Winehouse and members of the Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra.

In Vancouver, a band of local hot shots backs up the soulful frontman for what should be an all around hoppin' affair. If you miss it tonight, or the place is too packed, skip back to catch him perform round two on Saturday. Dine on the Cellar's tasty appetizers while immersing yourself in Hendrickson-Smith's cookin' arrangements. What a perfect way to marry summer partying and winter blues.

The Jazz Cellar
3611 W. Broadway
Friday/Saturday
Two sets each night starting at 8:30
$12