Nomad plays Theodores’ on 201 Worthington St. in Springfield on Friday at 9:30 p.m.
Mark Nomad
Mark Nomad is mixing it up.
Blues, rock, acoustic, full band, depending on the night, the room, and the situation.
“Half my gigs are with the band, half are acoustic solo,” he said. “Blues is the foundation, but I mix it up. The band rocks, but gets funky. My solo stuff is Delta blues but I sneak in some surprises. Gotta keep moving.”
On Friday, Nomad moves to Theodores’, the legendary blues room in downtown Springfield, one of his favorite places to play.
“Theodore's is a gem,” he said. “I go back to playing there when Teddy (Rauh) owned the place. Keith Weppler and his partner Keith Makarowski have brought it to a whole other level and really respect the artist. They do a great business – and to me, it's the soul of Springfield's entertainment district.”
Nomad said the club offers an all-around experience for both the entertainer and the audience.
“The club has great food, music and staff,” he said. “It's got a very positive vibe and the clientele really enjoy it.”
Nomad comes to Theodores’ with Peter King on bass and Sturgis Cunningham on drums.
“They're great guys and I think it translates to the music,” he said. “We have a lot of fun.”
Nomad is a renowned slide guitar player and a staple of the Valley music scene going back decades. He was a founder of the original Little Village, one of the region’s most legendary club bands. While he is working a new record, Nomad should still be bathing in the glow of the reviews from “Torch Tones” a release that garnered praise from the Downbeat Critics Poll as one of the best blues albums of 2012.
“It got nice reviews and it was validating,” said Nomad. “I push the envelope a bit in regards to writing and stretch the blues thread. I gotta tell my truth and I like a varied diet.”
Gotta keep moving.
Mark Nomad plays Theodores’ on 201 Worthington Street in Springfield on Friday at 9:30 p.m. For more information, call the venue at (413) 736-6000.