Sun-News Reports , . 12:04 p.m. MT April 20, 2017

Mesilla Valley Jazz and Blues Society will hold its fourth annual Red, White & Blues Festival at St. Clair Winery. The outdoor festival will feature six-hours of live music.(Photo: Ansaharju, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Enjoy a relaxing evening of blues and jazz during Mesilla Valley Jazz and Blues Societys fourth annual Red, White & Blues Festival from 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at St. Clair Winery & Bistro.

Three bands are booked for the six-hours of live entertainment, beginning with CW Ayon Trio from 4 to 6 p.m. CW has added two more players to his act, creating a new sound with Felipe Calavera on bass and Chris Smith vocals and guitar. CW has long been a local favorite one-man band with an amazing blues repertoire and is set to show off his new group.

The Muddy Hands Blues Band and Friends will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. The band has been on hiatus for a while, but will be cranking up the tunes with Ben Altamirano on harp/vocals, Bill Godby on lead guitar, John Hyndman on bass, Bill Haeker drums and Kenny Arroyos on keyboards. There will also be a guest horn section with Dwight Goetz and Josh Carter and backup vocals featuring Pam Rossi. Sage Gentle Wing promises to put in an appearance. This band has lots of local talent and has a wonderful feel playing Chicago Blues, Texas Shuffle and Memphis Blues. This has the making of a monster set so be there for a great sunset performance.

The third band set to play the festival is the Todd Tijerina Trio from Albuquerque from 8 to 10 p.m. Recipient of four New Mexico Music Award nominations in 2011, winning Blues Song of the Year for Nothin Like the Blues. Todd Tijerina is featured on guitar/vocals, Dave Heidt on bass/vocals and Mo Roberts on drums.

A hot time in Mesilla will be assured. The setting is idyllic as the St. Clair Winery & Bistro front lawn has a magnificent views of the Organ Mountains, the perfect backdrop for fine bands, drinks and food.

Tickets are $15 in advance with online sales at mvjazzblues.net or at purchase tickets at the following locations: St. Clair Winery & Bistro, Hubbards Music-N-More and Whites Music Box. Tickets at the door will also be sold at the door for $20. Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets, small sun umbrellas and sunscreen. No outside food or drinks are allowed.

Hosting the annual event is the Mesilla Valley Jazz and Blues Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to promote the appreciation of Jazz and Blues art forms. The group also works to create opportunities for established and aspiring musicians. All proceeds for the festival go to the societys scholarship funds for NMSU music students. These funds are the Bob Burns Music Scholarship and the Helen Sachs-Helder Vocal Jazz Scholarship. The society will be having a raffle where the proceeds will go to their scholarship fund.

This years prizes include a Fender DG-8S Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Pack which includes: acoustic guitar, gig bag, instructional material, strings, strap tuner and picks value $200, donated by Hubbards Music N More. St. Clair is donating a wine basket worth over $200 and there will also be CDs from the performing bands. Tickets will be $5 each or 3 for $10 with advance sales at Hubbards.

What: Fourth annual Red, White & Blues Festival

When: 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 22

Where: St. Clair Winery & Bistro, 1720 Avenida de Mesilla

Cost: $15 in advance or $20 at the door

Info: mvjazzblues.net

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Annual blues festival highlights jazz talent - Las Cruces Sun-News