(RAHWAY, NJ) -- A man of 14 harmonicas and the voice behind the 1995 Blues Traveler hit “Run-Around,” John Popper is coming to Rahway for An Evening with John Popper and Friends on September 30, 2017 at the Union County Performing Arts Center’s Main Stage. With a style of music typically defined as soul, blues rock, psychedelic rock and southern rock, Popper aims to write songs that speak to shared human experiences and emotions. Appearing as a solo act in his biggest solo tour to date and accompanied by pianist Ben Wilson, he’ll be crooning to 1,334 seats starting at 8:00pm. His set list will include his own music, classic Blues Traveler hits and a selection of well-known covers.
John Popper’s most famous incarnation is the band Blues Traveler, which was first signed to a label in 1989. The founding members were Popper on harmonica and vocals, Brendan Hill on drums, Bobby Sheehan on bass and Chan Kinchla on guitar.Aside from Blues Traveler, Popper has also maintained a flourishing solo career, which began with his 1999 solo album Zygote, and he has started two other bands. The John Popper Project was formed in 2004, featuring Popper, Tad Kinchla, drummer Marcus Bleeker, bassist Rob Wasserman, and turntable artist DJ Logic. The Duskray Troubadours is Popper’s third band, formed in 2010 with Kevin Trainor and Aaron Beavers on guitar, Steve Lindsay on bass, Mark Clack on drums, and Jono Manson on guitar and keyboard. John Popper also joined with Frogwings (1999) and The Devotees (1997) for their albums Croakin’ At Toads and Gimme Gimme, respectively, and has appeared as a guest musician (primarily on harmonica and back-up vocals) for countless other artists, including the Dave Matthews band, Hanson, Cee-Lo Green, and John Oates. Blues Traveler’s most recent album, 2015’s Blow Up the Moon, saw the entire band collaborating with other artists, including the Plain White T’s, 3OH!3, and Jewel.
Popper has also appeared in several movies, including performing as himself in Private Parts, Howard Stern’s 1997 autobiographical movie, as part of the band in Blues Brothers 2000 and in Just for the Time Being (2000) as Frankie. Popper wrote the lyrics for the ninth theme of the hit TV show Roseanne, which all of Blues Traveler performed.
An expert in harmonicas, John Popper has fourteen in total, which he originally wore in specialized pouches over his clothes so he could switch between them quickly during live performances. Nowadays, he keeps them all in a small box. Twelve of the harmonicas represent the twelve tones of A, A-flat, B, C, D, D-flat, E, E-flat, F and H. The remaining two are the highest and lowest harmonicas available. Inspired by the way Jimi Hendrix used to change the sound of his guitar, Popper changes the sound of his harmonica using a special microphone connected to an amplifier.
Tickets for An Evening with John Popper and Friends are on sale and range from $10 to $40. They can be purchased online at www.ucpac.org, over the phone by calling (732) 499-8226 or in person at the box office.
The Union County Performing Arts Center is located in downtown Rahway at 1601 Irving Street and is easily accessible to major roads and public transportation.
Photo by Denise Truscello
