Little House Blues Concert

Aurora’s very own Matt Haenlin brings his band, Little House Blues, to the Morgan Opera House, Saturday, July 29th at 8pm. The concert is free, but donations are welcome.

Based in Massachussetts, the band draws much of its inpsiration from the Chicago blues scene of the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s – iconic figures like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, James Cotton, Louis Jordan, John Lee Hooker and Sonny Boy Williamson inform the spirit of their music. They interpret a range of standards from that period, honoring the inventors of the genre. But, they also play originals and covers of a few more contemporary surprises in a way that tries to sustain the essence of the blues: a good time, danceable antidote, however fleeting, to the feelings of self-doubt, weariness and despair so undeniably a part of everyday life, that are the blues as such.

Little House Blues is a collaboration of Bill Blatner on blues harp and vocals, Matt Haenlin on electric guitar, Nina Rossi on electric bass and Ben Sears on drums. They started jamming in the fall of 2017 and liked the chemistry so much that they just kept going, building a repertoire and beginning to perform publicly about a year later.
Featured in the band are: Bill Blatner, a journeyman blues harp player and singer who also performs with Blue Shade. Ace guitarist Matt Haenlin, co-founder of the band Cart Blanch, that enjoyed a huge following in Central New York and Boston in the 90’s and 2000’s. Fans of the band, She Said, will recognize local artist, musician and writer Nina Rossi holding down the groove on bass. Ben Sears is best known for his remarkable work as a painter and fine artist, bringing the same focus, professionalism and creativity to his drum work with Little House Blues.