MiZ gathers all-star local lineup for Eric Clapton tribute at River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains on May 6
From a press release:
Scranton folk rock singer/songwriter Mike Mizwinski, who performs as simply MiZ, moved out of the area a few years back, so when he returns to Northeastern Pennsylvania for a concert, it always proves to be a musical treat.
This time, he will return to the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains on Saturday, May 6 to play a tribute to the iconic Eric Clapton with an all-star lineup of local musicians – Justin Mazer of American Babies, Jami Novak of Cabinet and the Village Idiots, Matt Gabriel of Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen, James Naylor of Jung Bergo, and Michael Borowski of Jam Stampede. There will be two sets of music, with one full Clapton set.
Doors at the Jazz Cafe (667 N. River St., Plains) open at 8 p.m., and the 21+ show starts at 10 p.m. Tickets, which are $10 in advance, can be purchased online via HoldMyTicket.
MiZ is a soulful rock/Americana artist who is known as a skillful and well-rounded master of both acoustic and electric guitar. His sound is directly impacted by the coal mining region of Pennsylvania, and his songs evoke the rustic tones and imagery you would expect from the region and its cultural heritage. The singer, songwriter, and guitarist gives his name to his band and his solo work, and it is his heart and soul – poured into the words and his guitar – that drives it all forward.
Use the term “singer/songwriter” loosely here, as a MiZ show can feature fast, intricate instrumental guitar compositions, foot-stomping bluegrass, soulful ballads, creative covers, and a melting pot of different styles, textures, flavors, and feels that make up his catalog (over four albums worth) of self-penned songs. He has maintained a freshness, a vibe, that keeps fans coming back for more.
MiZ has opened for America, The Wallflowers, Derek Trucks Band, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Blues Traveler, Shawn Colvin, Lyle Lovett, Leon Russell, Railroad Earth, and many more. Since 2010, he has played in cities all over the world, spanning from Berlin, Germany to Canada to Los Angeles to Austin, Texas to New York City and everywhere in between. He has even played onstage with artists such as America, Umphrey’s McGee, Donna Jean Godchaux, members of The Band, Ratdog, moe., Particle, String Cheese Incident, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Jackie Greene, Marc Ford, and more. He is now endorsing Framus/Warwick guitars and won the Tri-State Indie Acoustic Artist of the Year award two years in a row in 2011 and 2012.
Over the course of his more than 50-year career, guitar legend Eric Clapton has covered an immense amount of ground. Along with dozens of album releases and concerts worldwide, he’s received three Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions – one for his solo career and two more as a member of both Cream and The Yardbirds. Clapton has been the recipient of 18 Grammy Awards, and the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2004, he was awarded a CBE at Buckingham Palace for services to music. He’s also earned an unofficial spot high on the list of best rock guitarists of all time.
Though his eponymous solo debut surfaced in 1970, Clapton’s solo career took off in the mid-‘70s with “461 Ocean Boulevard” and its now-ubiquitous single, “I Shot the Sheriff.” The English performer has released 23 studio albums, most recently “I Still Do” in 2016.
Clapton’s numerous tours – both alone and with his many projects – have canvased the globe, with tickets selling out regularly at major venues like London’s Royal Albert Hall and New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
See photos of MiZ’s CD release show for his album “Parking Meters” at the Jazz Cafe with Jung Bergo back in 2015 here.
Photo by Keith Perks/1120 Studios
