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Rick Estrin & The Nightcats

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats Tour Dates and Upcoming Concerts

Welcome to the official artist page for Rick Estrin & The Nightcats – your premier destination for the latest concert tickets, tour announcements, and exclusive shows near you. Dive into the music, explore the artist’s reviews and photos, and never miss another concert moment. Stay updated, stay connected, and be the first to grab tickets for an unforgettable musical experience.
On tour Yes
Followers 9,733
Category Blues, Harmonica Blues, Jump Blues
Concerts
May
17
Sutter Creek Theatre
Sutter Creek
Tickets
May
19
Moe's Alley
Santa Cruz
Tickets
May
30
Bull Run Restaurant
Shirley
Tickets
May
31
Iridium
New York
Tickets
Jun
01
Chan's
Woonsocket
Tickets
Jun
02
The Music Room Cape Cod
West Yarmouth
Tickets
Jun
04
Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club
Portsmouth
Tickets
Jun
07
Groove Now Blues Weeks Basel
Basel
Tickets
Jun
08
Groove Now Blues Weeks Basel: A Tribute to Willie Dixon
Basel
Tickets
Jun
14
Sierre Blues Festival (June 12 - June 14)
Sierre
Tickets
Jun
20
West of the Waterway
Tacoma
Tickets
Jun
21
Palindrome Port Townsend Event Center
Port Townsend
Tickets
Jun
22
The Jack London Revue
Portland
Tickets
Jun
23
NCRD Performing Arts Center
Nehalem
Tickets
Jul
09
Bluesdays at Palisades Tahoe
Olympic Valley
Tickets
Jul
12
Blue Note Napa (Two Sets)
Napa
Tickets
Jul
13
Almost Famous Wine Lounge
Livermore
Tickets
Jul
14
Powerhouse of Blues: Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
Folsom
Tickets
Jul
26
Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival (July 26 - July 28)
Fort Langley
Tickets
Jul
27
Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival (July 26 - July 28)
Salmon Arm
Tickets
Oct
26
Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #41
Fort Lauderdale
Tickets
About Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
Blues vocalist, harmonica master and songwriting legend Rick Estrin, leader of the musically fearless, wildly entertaining, award-winning band Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, doesn’t like to talk much about his own musical superpowers. But ask him about the Nightcats—multi-instrumentalist/musical mastermind/producer Christoffer “Kid” Andersen, keyboardist/organ wizard/bass player Lorenzo Farrell and endlessly creative drummer Derrick “D’Mar” Martin—and he’ll be happy to sing their praises. “This band is killer. I’m enjoying this all more than ever,” says the man who’s been performing and recording professionally since the early 1970s. “It’s a blessing—there’s so much energy, so much collaboration. The band is just so good right now. And the live show is better than ever.” Living Blues calls Rick Estrin & The Nightcats “a terrific blues band with a real character for a front man,” continuing, “Clever, well-crafted songs framed by first-flight musicianship…hugely entertaining, intelligently conceived and executed roots rock with a wickedly cool and otherworldly twist on tradition. Estrin’s harp work is masterful.” Rick Estrin & The Nightcats’ new album and the band’s sixth release, The Hits Keep Coming, packs a powerful punch, with phenomenal musicianship and lyrics—both serious and humorous. Produced by Andersen at his legendary Greaseland USA studio in San Jose, California, the record captures the band’s chemistry and magic in what is certainly among their strongest, most urgent and most cohesive releases so far. The Hits Keep Coming is modern blues at its most potent, intense and fun in all the right places, as Rick Estrin & The Nightcats deliver twelve groove-heavy, hard-hitting songs, including ten written or co-written by Estrin and two surprising covers (one obscurity from Muddy Waters, one from Leonard Cohen that Estrin would have liked to have written). From the foot-stomping opener Somewhere Else, to the harsh reality of the title track (with backing vocals by The Sons Of The Soul Revivers), to the musically infectious, lyrically harrowing song about addiction, The Circus Is Still In Town, The Hits Keep Coming is a lyrical and musical tour-de-force. In addition to Estrin’s celebrated songwriting and peerless blues harmonica playing, he and the band are among the most entertaining and colorful showmen around. Estrin’s signature streetwise vocals and hipster-cool look, Andersen’s eye-popping, off-the-cuff guitar pyrotechnics, Farrell’s mighty organ, piano and bass work and D’Mar’s dynamic, acrobatic drumming make every one of their live performances a must-see event. “People don’t go out to see people who look like themselves,” says Estrin. “They want to see something special. I was schooled in this business to be a showman, and that’s what you get when you come to see us perform. We know how to put on a show. I feel sorry for anyone who has to follow us.” Estrin was schooled by some of the very best blues musicians on the West Coast. While still a teen, he was tutored by San Francisco’s famed musician (and pimp) Fillmore Slim. He was mentored by San Francisco’s legendary Rodger Collins and gigged with blues stars Lowell Fulson and Z.Z. Hill. Estrin moved to Chicago when he was 19 to work with Windy City bluesmen Johnny Young, Eddie Taylor, Sam Lay and John Littlejohn, and even jammed with Muddy Waters. He returned to California and continued to hone his craft. By the time he joined forces with jaw-dropping guitarist Little Charlie Baty and formed Little Charlie & The Nightcats in 1976—a band he would front for the next 30 years—Estrin was a seasoned performer with plenty of talent and a gift for writing killer original songs. Upon Baty’s retirement from touring in 2008, Estrin, together with Farrell (a Nightcat since 2003), recruited high-flying guitar wunderkind Christoffer “Kid” Andersen and formed Rick Estrin & The Nightcats. With Kid onboard, the band quickly became a worldwide favorite with blues fans as well as with critics and radio programmers. “Kid’s fearless on the guitar,” says Estrin. “He’s really the only guy who could fit in with us.” With an uninhibited style that perfectly meshed with Estrin’s wildly imaginative songs, the new band charged out of the gate with Twisted in 2009, following up with One Wrong Turn in 2012, You Asked For It—Live! in 2014, Groovin’ In Greaseland in 2016 and Contemporary in 2019. Each album is its own treasure chest full of memorable songs and white-hot playing. According to the UK’s Blues & Rhythm, “Rick Estrin & The Nightcats have crafted an instantly identifiable sound. They serve up insightful, original blues combined with tough rock ’n’ roll. This band is superb.” Rick Estrin & The Nightcats have performed at festivals and concert stages from San Francisco to Chicago to New York, and everywhere in between, and have toured the United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Poland, Australia, Israel and even Estonia and Russia. The band has twice won the coveted Blues Music Award for Band Of The Year. Additionally, Estrin has won Blues Music Awards for Song Of The Year, Traditional Male Blues Artist and for Instrumentalist—Harmonica. The Chicago Sun-Times declares, “These are serious musicians having a hotter than hot good time. It’s tough to stay in your seat when Estrin and his musical cohorts get cooking.” As No Depression says, “This is a band that always delivers the goods.” Rick Estrin (harmonica, vocals) Rick Estrin was born in San Francisco, California in 1949. As a 10-year-old boy, he made his way to the tough Market Street area and befriended many of the neighborhood’s most notorious characters. When he was 12, his older sister gave him a copy of Ray Charles’ The Genius Sings The Blues, and he became infatuated with blues and R&B. Albums from Jimmy Reed, Champion Jack Dupree, Mose Allison, Nina Simone and others soon followed. By the time he was a teenager, Estrin had immersed himself in the urban, African American culture surrounding him. He got his first harmonica at age 15, and by age 18 was proficient enough to begin sitting in at Black clubs around the city. The great Lowell Fulson invited him to sit in at the Club Long Island, and that led Estrin to meeting and then opening shows for R&B giant Z.Z. Hill. Estrin worked five nights a week for almost a year with guitar legend Travis Phillips in a band fronted by famed pimp/bluesman Fillmore Slim (who was the centerpiece of the acclaimed Hughes Brothers documentary American Pimp). Slim introduced Estrin to San Francisco-based singer Rodger Collins (She’s Looking Good), the man who would become Rick’s first real musical mentor. Collins schooled Rick on the finer points of songwriting and show business. At 19, Estrin relocated to Chicago and worked with some of the city’s best bluesmen. He met and jammed with the legendary Muddy Waters, who told Rick, “You outta sight, boy! You got that sound! You play like a man!” Muddy wanted Estrin to go on the road with him, but Estrin missed Muddy’s phone call and it never happened. He eventually moved back to the Bay Area, met guitarist Charlie Baty and formed Little Charlie & The Nightcats. With Charlie’s retirement from touring in 2008, Rick brought in guitar virtuoso Kid Andersen and formed Rick Estrin & The Nightcats. Estrin cites Sonny Boy Williamson II, Mose Allison, Leiber & Stoller, Percy Mayfield and Detroit bluesman Baby Boy Warren as his major songwriting influences. His work on the reeds is deep in the tradition of harmonica masters Sonny Boy Williamson II, James Cotton and Little Walter Jacobs, while at the same time pushing that tradition forward with his innovative songs. And his sly and soulful vocals are the perfect vehicle for driving those songs home. According to DownBeat, “Rick Estrin sings and writes songs like the brightest wiseguy in all of bluesland and blows harmonica as if he learned at the knee of Little Walter.” Kid Andersen (guitar) Christoffer “Kid” Andersen was born in Telemark, Norway. He became obsessed with the blues at age 12 and immersed himself in the music of greats like Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, T-Bone Walker and B.B., Albert and Freddie King. By the time he was 18, he had a steady gig in Oslo as a guitarist, backing American blues stars who came through Norway, including Homesick James, Nappy Brown and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith. He moved to California as soon as he turned 21 and started touring with saxophonist Terry Hanck. Once in the U.S.A., Andersen earned a green card as an “Alien of Extraordinary Ability.” He quickly became a musical force to be reckoned with, and he was invited by blues harp legend Charlie Musselwhite to join his band in 2004, touring with Musselwhite for four years. However, it was with the formation of Rick Estrin & The Nightcats in 2008 that Kid found his true musical home base. Kid has been nominated for the Blues Music Award for Best Instrumentalist—Guitar every year since 2013. In addition to being an expert multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion), Kid’s talents as an engineer and producer keep his now-famous Greaseland Studio fully booked. Winner of the 2017 Keeping The Blues Alive Award, Greaseland has been featured on NPR, and has received multiple Grammy nods. At Greaseland, Kid has produced, engineered (and many times played on) albums by Elvin Bishop, Tommy Castro, John Primer, Nick Moss, Chris Cain, DK Harrell, John Nemeth, Wee Willie Walker and Finis Tasby, as well as all six Rick Estrin & The Nightcats releases. Lorenzo Farrell (piano, organ, bass) Lorenzo Farrell was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, where he started playing piano at age five. He picked up the acoustic upright bass during his high school years, and later became an in-demand blues and jazz bassist on the Northern California scene. Since joining the Nightcats in 2003, Lorenzo has returned to piano, as well as organ and synthesizer, showcasing the unusual technique, pioneered by greats like organist Jimmy Smith, of playing bass lines with one hand and traditional keyboard parts with the other. Lorenzo has also performed and recorded with many other artists, including Duke Robillard, Wee Willie Walker, Fillmore Slim, Alabama Mike, Finis Tasby, Jackie Payne, Terry Hanck and Little Charlie Baty’s Organ Grinder Swing. Now based in the state of Washington, Lorenzo is a founding partner and artistic director of LTD Presents, a community arts organization whose mission is to bring world-class blues and jazz to the Pacific Northwest. According to Estrin, “Lorenzo has been an absolutely pivotal player in the Nightcats’ development for over 20 years. His phenomenal keyboard work, not to mention his behind-the-scenes organizational skills, have really helped propel the band to new heights.” Derrick “D’Mar” Martin (drums) Derrick “D’Mar” Martin is an unstoppable force of nature. D’Mar is a musician, producer, songwriter, singer, educator, entertainer and motivational speaker. He traveled the world for 17 years as the drummer for the legendary Little Richard. D’Mar also worked with a number of other artists including Dorothy Moore, Bobby Rush, Vasti Jackson, Ali Ollie Woodson (The Temptations), Big Jack Johnson, Carla Thomas, Billy Preston, Roy Gaines, Mitch Woods, Jackie Payne, Syl Johnson, Bob Margolin and Tutu Jones before joining the Nightcats. He shares his passion for music education in his own music lecture series entitled Drums & More when he’s not bringing all of his many talents to The Nightcats. “Getting Derrick in the band was the final piece,” says Estrin. He’s relentlessly positive and his drumming brings us to another level.”
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Genres
Blues, Harmonica Blues, Jump Blues
Band members
Rick Estrin: Lead Vocals, Harmonica, Derrick D’Mar Martin: Drums, Background Vocals, Percussion, Rap, Kid Andersen: Guitar, Bass, Upright Bass, Percussion, Background Vocals, Lorenzo Farrell: Organ and Piano
Photos
concert photo concert photo
What fans are saying
Steve
5 / 5
Absolutely energetic!!! Can always count on this band to get your Mojo going!
Blue Frog Studios White Rock, BC
Sep 21, 2023
ken
5 / 5
Fantastic! Even better with their fabulous new drummer, D'Mar!
Yoshi's Oakland Oakland, CA
Jun 29, 2022
Linda
5 / 5
The show was incredible ! Everyone should see these guys.
Poor House Studio San Jose, CA
Oct 21, 2019
Nick
5 / 5
Great show as Always from Rick and the Gang!
Wyndsor Farm Elverson, PA
Jun 05, 2022
Anonymous
5 / 5
Thank you for another great show!
Live Stream Live Stream
May 11, 2022
Brian
4 / 5
Outstanding and great watch
Live Stream Live Stream
May 10, 2022
Tori
5 / 5
Off the chart!
Powerhouse Pub Folsom, CA
May 23, 2023
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Rick Estrin & The Nightcats Tour Cities
Port Townsend, WA West Yarmouth, MA New York City, NY Folsom, CA Portland, OR Santa Cruz, CA Basel, Switzerland Fort Langley, BC Napa, CA Fort Lauderdale, FL Olympic Valley, CA Salmon Arm, BC Nehalem, OR Tacoma, WA Portsmouth, NH Sutter Creek, CA Shirley, MA Sierre, Switzerland Woonsocket, RI Livermore, CA

Frequently Asked Questions About Rick Estrin & The Nightcats

Concerts & Tour Date Information

Is Rick Estrin & The Nightcats on tour?

Yes, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats is currently on tour. If you’re interested in attending an upcoming Rick Estrin & The Nightcats concert, make sure to grab your tickets in advance. The Rick Estrin & The Nightcats tour is scheduled for 21 dates across 20 cities. Get information on all upcoming tour dates and tickets for 2024-2025 with Hypebot.

How many upcoming tour dates is Rick Estrin & The Nightcats scheduled to play?

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats is scheduled to play 21 shows between 2024-2025. Buy concert tickets to a nearby show through Hypebot.

When does the Rick Estrin & The Nightcats tour start?

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats’s tour starts May 17, 2024 and ends on Oct 26, 2024. They will play 20 cities; their most recent concert was held in Sutter Creek at Sutter Creek Theatre and their next upcoming concert will be in West Yarmouth at The Music Room Cape Cod.

What venues is Rick Estrin & The Nightcats performing at?

As part of the Rick Estrin & The Nightcats tour, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats is scheduled to play across the following venues and cities:

2024 Tour Dates:

May 17 - Sutter Creek, CA @ Sutter Creek Theatre
May 19 - Santa Cruz, CA @ Moe's Alley
May 30 - Shirley, MA @ Bull Run Restaurant
May 31 - New York, NY @ Iridium
Jun 01 - Woonsocket, RI @ Chan's
Jun 02 - West Yarmouth, MA @ The Music Room Cape Cod
Jun 04 - Portsmouth, NH @ Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club
Jun 07 - Basel, BS @ Groove Now
Jun 08 - Basel, BS @ Groove Now
Jun 14 - Sierre, Switzerland @ Plaine Bellevue
Jun 20 - Tacoma, WA @ West of the Waterway
Jun 21 - Port Townsend, WA @ Palindrome Port Townsend Event Center
Jun 22 - Portland, OR @ The Jack London Revue
Jun 23 - Nehalem, OR @ NCRD Performing Arts Center
Jul 09 - Olympic Valley, CA @ The Village at Squaw
Jul 12 - Napa, CA @ Blue Note Napa
Jul 13 - Livermore, CA @ Almost Famous Wine
Jul 14 - Folsom, CA @ Powerhouse Pub
Jul 26 - Fort Langley, BC @ Fort Langley Community Park
Jul 27 - Salmon Arm, BC @ Salmon Arm Fair
Oct 26 - Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Holland America Line HAL
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