The Santa Barbara Blues Society (SBBS) will present Mitch Kashmar in his first appearance for the SBBS in his hometown in six years, Saturday, May 31.

The event is at Carrillo Recreation Center, 100 E. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara.

In 1980 Kashmar co-founded The Pontiax, which became one of the most popular West Coast blues bands, touring widely and backing legends like Willie Dixon, Pee Wee Crayton, Big Joe Turner, and Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, SBBS said.

Subsequently, during the 2000s Kashmar released five acclaimed albums on the Delta Groove label. For the last two decades he has contributed his vocal and harmonica skills to the funk and rhythm-and-blues band War.

“Mitch was only 19 when I first heard him, he was already good then, but these days?  Man, is he tough,” said Kim Wilson, harmonica legend.

“When it comes to writing, singing, and playing the blues, nobody does it better than Mitch Kashmar, according to Living Blues magazine
 
Opening the show will be Santa Barbara’s internationally known acoustic country blues duo Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan. 

Doors open at 7 p.m.; advance ticket purchasers will be allowed to enter at 6:45 p.m. Tom and Kenny will play at 7:15 p.m.; Kashmar and his band will play two sets, starting at 8 p.m.

The venue has an outdoor patio and a large, spring-loaded dance floor; beverages will be available.

Advance tickets available at www.SBBlues.org. Tickets also available at the door of the show.

For questions, send a message to info@sbblues.org or leave name and phone number at 805-668-6884.