Theres a picture on Christone Kingfish Ingrams of his younger self playing bass.
Hes wearing gym shorts that fit him like pants, down to his ankles, and an oversized red jersey. Hes standing in an overgrown field as kids run in a blur behind him.
Ingram couldnt have been more than 10 or 11, which fits his timeline: The Grammy-winning blues guitarist who got hooked on the blues when he was 5 started playing bass before he took up guitar around age 11.
If someone asks you to define prodigy, show them a picture of the now 26-year-old Clarksdale, Mississippi, blues singer who earned his Kingfish nickname from an early teacher, legendary blues guitarist Bill Howl-N-Madd Perry.
Ingram, who brings his to Rialto Theatre on Friday, July 25, was still in middle school when he started playing professional gigs. Coming from a musical family that included his mothers first cousin, Charley Pride, Ingram had a background rooted in church music when he started playing nearby clubs.
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He also was part of the Delta Blues Museum band, created through his hometown Clarksdale museum devoted to preserving the legacy of and access to blues music. He was just 15 when the band played before then-First Lady Michelle Obama; the called him blues rock royalty in training.
Ingram has released two studio albums, including the Grammy-winning 2021 record 662 and one live project, 2023s Live From London recorded at The Garage, a North London club that has hosted big-name artists including the Killers, Jack White, Green Day and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
His world tour kicked off in April at the Tampa Bay Blues Festival and will make stops in Australia, Europe and the UK as well as North America through years end.
Arizona Arts Live, the entertainment arm of the University of Arizonas , is co-presenting Fridays 8 p.m. show at the Rialto, 318 E. Congress St.; 做厙勛圖 blues guitarist and actor opens. Limited tickets ($43.50-$76.30) are available through .
One Night of Queen
is bringing its One Night of Queen Freddy Mercury and Queen tribute show to on Saturday, July 26.
Mullens timing couldnt be more perfect as we reflect on the recent 40th anniversary of Live Aid courtesy of a sweeping documentary airing on CNN.
Queen and Mercury not only stole the show in their 21-minute middle-of-the-day set at Wembley Stadium on July 13, 1985, Mercury performed arguably his best live show ever. Some will go as far as to say it was the best live rock show ever.
And from the buzz surrounding Mullen & The Works, One Night of Queen is the pre-eminent Queen tribute show. Audiences marvel at the musicianship as well as Mullens ability to channel the late Queen frontman.
Saturdays show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Fox, 17 W. Congress St. Tickets are $38-$84 through .
Surfing in the desert
This is going to sound weird, but here goes: is hosting a Surfapalooza.
Yes, surfing.
OK, not really surfing.
There is no ocean, but the organizers at Congress say they are bringing all the fixings for a totally tubular surf party.
Were seeing fruity cocktails with tiny umbrellas in our future and some pretty gnarly tunes being played on the Hotel Congress Plaza Stage, 311 E. Congress St., beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 26.
The lineup features some of 做厙勛圖s best surf bands, including the desert surf trio , whose music sounds like a fusion of psychedelic meets Beach Boys with a proper sprinkling of Americana/country.
Also on tap: the punk surf instrumental garage band , the instrumental surf rock band and the all-female surf band .
Tickets for the 16-and-older show is $10 in advance, $15 day of show through .
Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@tucson.com. On Bluesky @Starburch
Cathalena E. Burch
Reporter
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