NEWTON — Blues Traveler, known for their improvisational live shows, will deliver a performance at the Newton Theatre on Friday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m.
Performing for more than 20 years, Blues Traveler's body of work encompasses eight studio albums and four live discs, six of them certified Gold or Platinum, with combined worldwide sales of more than 10 million records. The band's best-known single, "Run-Around," was the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history.
Blues Traveler has long been known for the extensive use of segues, multiple song mash-ups and extensive instrumental jams in their live performances. Their shows are a hybrid vibe that draws from Blues, Psychedelic, Folk, Soul and Southern Rock.
Blues Traveler’s road to posterity moved from the suburbs of New Jersey to New York City in the late ’80s, where they became part of a jam-band scene and shared bills with groups like Spin Doctors and Phish, founding the Horde festival and pioneering the subsequent movement of neo-hippie jam music.
Represented early on by legendary Bill Graham and son David, Blues Traveler’s live reputation led to a deal with A&M Records — their 1990 self-titled debut eventually going gold simultaneously with the album Four. While putting out a string of popular albums in the 90s, the band endured its share of mettle-testing adversity, from Popper’s near fatal motorcycle accident (he recorded and toured while in a wheelchair for two years) and the tragic loss in 1999 of founding bassist Bobby Sheehan at the age of 31.
The band has kept up an average touring pace of 250 shows per year, whether there has been a new release or not.
Blues Traveler is known for their improvisational live shows featuring John Popper on vocals and harmonica, Chandler Kinchla on guitar, Ben Wilson on keyboards, Tad Kinchla on bass and Brendan Hill on drums and percussion.
Tickets for Blues Traveler are $67 for premium seating, $57 for orchestra and $47 for balcony. Purchase tickets by visiting www.thenewtontheatre.com or contact the box office at 973-383-3700.
The historic Newton Theatre, located at 234 Spring Street in Newton.