(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Grammy Award-winner Taj Mahal – one of the most prominent and influential figures in late 20th century blues and roots music – brings his virtuosic global-roots style to Club Helsinki Hudson on Wednesday, August 20, at 8pm. The singer and multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, piano, banjo and harmonica (among many other instruments) blends American blues with music representing virtually every corner of the world – West Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the Hawaiian islands more.

A native of Springfield, Mass., Taj Mahal is the son of a West Indian jazz arranger and a gospel singer. After studying agriculture, he moved to California where he joined forces with fellow roots musician Ry Cooder in the band Rising Sons, working with blues greats such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Buddy Guy as well as Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones.

Taj Mahal’s solo career took off in the 1970s, and he was especially in demand for film soundtracks, including the movie “Sounder” starring Cicely Tyson. He began adding African, Indian, Caribbean and Hawaiian influences into his blues-based music, establishing himself as one of the pioneers of the “world music” movement while carving out for himself a unique niche, garnering great critical acclaim on his way to becoming a musician’s musician as well as earning for himself a devoted cult following.

For reservations in The Restaurant or in the club call 518.828.4800.