The Summer Concert Series sponsored by NBT will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, August 17 in the East Park on Broad and Main Street. Mr. Sipp “the Mississippi Blues Child” kicks off the 30th annual Blues Festival weekend with entertaining bluesy tunes. Opening for Mr. Sipp will be Norwich's' own Brian Golden and band. (Submitted Photo)

NORWICH — The Summer Concert Series sponsored by NBT will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, August 17 in East Park on Broad and Main Street.

Mr. Sipp, “the Mississippi Blues Child” kicks off the 30th annual Blues Festival weekend with entertaining bluesy tunes in East Park. He is also known as gospel guitarist Castro Coleman and made his debut on Malaco Records in 2015.

He received instant success by winning the 2016 Best New Artist Award at the Blues Music Award and has also earned a reputation as one of the best live acts in the business.

On July 24, Mr. Sipp won the National Blues Artist of the year (The Jackie) at the 49th Annual Jackson Music awards. His tours include Europe and South America. As if his musical career wasn't enough, he was also cast in several movies as a young B.B. King in the CMT series “Sun Records”.

Opening for Mr. Sipp will be the Brian Golden Band. Brian and Aletha Golden will be joined by long-time collaborators Tom Westcott on bass, Steve Simmons on drums, and good friends Mike Carbone on sax with Mo Reese Taylor bringing trombone.