Madison Beach Hotel will once again host its highly anticipated annual Blues Festival Weekend. Two Events – One Weekend.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28: Wharf Unplugged kicks off our weekend of music and blues. RESERVE ONLINE
Join us in The Wharf for a special unplugged musical performance with the band LoveFox. Music begins at 8 p.m. Intimate show setting. LOVEFOX will perform in the main dining room. Please reserve 7:30, 7:45 or 8 p.m. Newport singer-guitarist Megan Chenot joins queens of the Connecticut music scene Chrissy Gardner Fox (piano, vocals) and Lee-Ann Lovelace (vocals, percussion) in the three-woman band LOVEFOX. This dynamic trio redefines classic rock and pop hits with their exceptional vocal prowess and intricate harmonies. Their sound is a genuine expression of love for the music, infusing each song with a fresh, heartfelt energy that resonates deeply with listeners.
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2025: Guitar Master Class with Jim Weider, THE ART of TELECASTER PLAYING & Roots of Blues, Rock & Roll, 3 p.m. Tickets $30
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2025: Blues, Brews and Bourbon TICKET LINK
The event promises an unforgettable evening of soulful blues music featuring Jake Kulak and the Modern Vandals and featured guests Quinn Sullivan and Jim Weider.
The event promises an unforgettable evening of soulful blues music featuring the award-winning Jake Kulak and the Modern Vandals, with special guest performance by the acclaimed native New Yorker and master of the classic telecaster guitar, Jim Weider and Acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist Quinn Sullivan.
Our Blues Winter Concert features Jake Kulak and the Modern Vandals, winner of the 2019 Foxwoods Resort Casino “Battle of the Bands” and features special guests
Jim Weider, renowned for his rock and blues-based signature sound and toured with legendary rock group The Band for 15 years. Jim has played with legendary musicians throughout his career.
Quinn Sullivan, acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist that honors the roots of rock and soul while forging his path forward, creating a sound that is as fresh as it is classic.
Doors Open at 8 p.m. | Concert starts at 8:30 p.m. and play until 10:30 p.m.
TICKETS:
- Reserved Tables of 10: $500* ($50 per ticket) min/max 10 tickets, provides guaranteed table seating
- General Admission: $45* per ticket, no reserved seating, theatre style seating.
- Day of Event: $50*per ticket, subject to availability
*EventBrite ticketing fees additional
Cash Bar | 21+ Event
TASTING ROOM: Bourbon and Beer Sampling in our Tasting Lounge beginning at 7 p.m. Beer Sampling by Lawson’s Finest Liquids. (included in your ticket price)
BAR opens at 7 p.m.
PARKING: Limited self public parking at the Shore. Free valet parking available.
DINNER RESERVATIONS: Secure dinner before the show in The Wharf Restaurant >> reserve online.
The Wing Agency artists include The Jake Kulak Band.
This event is sponsored in part by Lawson’s Finest Liquids. | To learn about sponsorship opportunities, please email John Mathers.
ABOUT JIM WEIDER
Jim Weider, a master of classic telecaster guitar, is renowned for his rock and blues-based signature sound. He is among a select group of musicians with an endorsement from Fender and, for the past three decades, he’s earned enormous respect from fellow musicians and music fans throughout the world.
Born and raised in the famed arts colony of Woodstock, NY, Jim received great acclaim during his long tenure (1985-2000) as lead guitarist (replacing Robbie Robertson) for Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame inductees, The Band. During 15 years of international touring with original members Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and Rick Danko, Jim was featured on numerous albums, films, videos and television appearances. Highlights included a 1990 performance with The Band and Ronnie Hawkins at The Berlin Wall concert produced by Roger Waters of Pink Floyd; several cable TV specials (notably “The Bob Dylan Tribute” at Madison Square Garden; “The Road,” and “This Country’s Rocking”); a performance and recording at the “Unofficial Blue Jean Bash” for President Clinton’s 1993 Inaugural Ball, with special guests Bob Dylan, Steven Stills and Dr. John; a 1994 pay-per-view concert telecast from the Woodstock ’94 Festival; and a 1995 appearance on the A&E Biography documentary “The Authorized Video Biography The Band” for cable TV and video, released by ABC Video.
Jim furthered his reputation as a versatile and talented guitarist in performances and recordings with Scotty Moore, Keith Richards, Los Lobos, Graham Parker, Taj Mahal, Mavis Staples, Hot Tuna, Bob Weir/Rat Dog, Johnny Paycheck, James Talley, Kim Wilson, Paul Butterfield, Robbie Dupree, among many others.
ABOUT QUINN SULLIVAN
Quinn’s rise in the music world has been as compelling as his artistry. From an early age, Quinn’s guitar skills turned heads, quickly distinguishing him as a prodigious talent with a passion for the blues and rock ‘n’ roll. His journey has been marked by performances at prestigious venues and collaborations with music legends, earning him recognition not just as a skilled guitarist, but as a musician with a profound understanding of the emotive power of music.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist Quinn Sullivan has released his much-anticipated new single “Salvation (Make Me Wanna Pray),” a compelling blend of rich vocals and masterful guitar work that heralds the first wave of fresh material set for next year. With the unveiling of “Salvation (Make Me Wanna Pray),” Quinn delves into a rich sonic landscape that bridges the past and the present. The single subtly incorporates the warm, swirling tones of a B3 organ and the expressive cries of a wah-wah pedal, enhancing the track’s texture without overwhelming its modern sensibility. This new offering is a testament to Quinn’s ability to honor the roots of rock and soul while forging his path forward, creating a sound that is as fresh as it is classic.
ABOUT THE BAND: Jake Kulak Band
The Jake Kulak Band brings their blend of modern and traditional guitar-driven blues and blues-rock to music lovers everywhere. The band represented CT for 4 years at the International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase in Memphis, TN. In 2018 they won the CT Blues Society Band Competition and performed at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2019. They have also been nominated for a New England Music Award in the “Best New Act of the Year” category and were one of 6 Boston-area bands to win the the House of Blues emerging artist competition. In 2019 the band won the $10,000 Grand Prize at the Foxwoods Resort Casino Battle of the Bands. Jake has spent many summers attending the Pinetop Perkins Masterclass in Guitar held in Clarksdale, MS where he has had the privilege of studying under Bob Margolin. Jake is currently a student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
In 2019 the band won the $10,000 Grand Prize at the Foxwoods Resort Casino Battle of the Bands. Jake has spent many summers attending the Pinetop Perkins Masterclass in Guitar held in Clarksdale, MS where he has had the privilege of studying under Bob Margolin. Jake is currently a student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Jake Kulak picked up a guitar at age 11 and instinctively knew what to do with it. Within a couple of months he was playing at open jams in the CT blues and jazz scene. At age 13 he made the first of many trips to Memphis where he played in clubs on Beale Street as part of the International Blue Challenge Youth Showcase, and to Clarksdale, MS where he attended the Pinetop Perkins Masterclass in Guitar, learning from living blues legends like Bob Margolin. He was also recognized with a merit scholarship by the Honeyboy Edwards Fund for the Blues at the National Blues Museum. Several years later Jake was playing 60+ professional gigs a year, all while still attending High School. Locally he has studied with CT guitar legend Frank Varela and Jake is currently attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston where he has studied with Thaddeus Hogarth. He can play solo acoustic, solo electric or rock out with his full band.
The band represented CT for 4 years at the International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase in Memphis, TN. In 2018 they won the CT Blues Society Band Competition and performed at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2019. They have also been nominated for a New England Music Award in the “Best New Act of the Year” category and were one of 6 Boston-area bands to win the the House of Blues emerging artist competition.
About Jake Kulak
“One of the hottest names on the local music scene right now, Jake Kulak has been lighting up venues all over the state with a blistering blues/rock set” The Hartford Courant
Inspired by the authenticity and raw emotion of the Blues, Jake immersed himself in the genre, thrilling audiences from Norway to Boston, from Sydney, Australia to NYC, and down to the Mississippi Delta. He has won numerous awards and recognition for his guitar work, performances and songwriting. Jake and his band were nominated for a New England Music Award, performed at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, and were recognized by the Hartford Courant’s “Best Album by CT Musicians”. His original pop song “Better” was chosen as a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition, the “competition to take note of”, according to the NY Times. Jake and his band also won the $10,000 Grand Prize award in the Foxwoods Resort Casino’s prestigious “Battle of the Bands” competition. The Hartford Courant has said “Connecticut native Jake Kulak and his power trio are a must-see act no matter what size stage they are taking. Kulak is a fiery musician with an old soul and a rock aesthetic who wows crowds with his guitar work…they are sure to get the attention of everyone in earshot”. While at Berklee College of Music, Jake solidified his voice as an artist with a focus on performance, songwriting and philosophy. With his band, The Modern Vandals, Jake is demonstrating the power of incorporating his reverence for the history of American music with contemporary production styles and lyrics that reflect the experiences of his generation. His music channels the sound and soul of electric blues with an infusion of classic rock nostalgia and garage rock attitude.