Curtis Salgado was living in Eugene when he heard a movie was being filmed in town. It was the 1970s and the night scene was hoppin’. Salgado was playing in a band and in the middle of the song, he heard the fated words, “Belushi wants to meet you.”
Salgado, a self-proclaimed music history buff, began to educate John Belushi about the blues.
He taught Belushi the song “Hey Bartender,” and many others. They eventually formed a bond that would inspire Belushi to create the character “Joliet” Jake Blues in famous movie “The Blues Brothers.”
“I didn’t think I would be talking about it 30 years ago,” said Salgado. “I had no idea the movie would cause cultural change; it helped music immensely by really jump starting the blues.”
But Belushi is just one small piece of Salgado’s impressive career. You can see the award-winning soul, blues and R&B vocalist, harmonicist, and songwriter at the San Juan Community Theatre in Friday Harbor on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the San Juan Community Theatre. He is touring in support of his new Alligator Records CD, “The Beautiful Lowdown” and will perform with guitarist Alan Hager.
Tickets are $5- $28, visit www.sjctheatre for more information.
Salgado calls his guitarist, “Extremely proficient and very soulful.” The duo will perform originals as well as some old ragtime and blues.
“We promise we will entertain you,” said Salgado, who won three 2013 Blues Music Awards, including the coveted B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year. He also won Soul Blues Male Artist Of The Year for the second consecutive year, and Soul Blues Album Of The Year (SOUL SHOT). Salgado has toured all around the world from Guam to Brazil to Panama.
Although he was born in nearby Everett, Wash., he has never visited the islands before. He warns islanders, with a chuckle, that if they are not careful they might learn something about the blues at the concert. Salgado loves to chat with his listeners about the history and meaning of pieces he performs.
Though each song and genre is unique, Salgado said he firmly believes that you can get the same thing out of any music: a story.
“Basically most stories are about relationships and your fellow humans. The blues is not all sad; it’s just about life,” he said.
For more info, visit http://www.curtissalgado.com.
