A veteran of the blues-rock world with a career spanning over two decades, Alastair Greene is set to bring his powerhouse guitar sound and soulful vocals to The Boardwalk in Orangevale on Saturday, April 12. The night promises an intimate and high-energy performance from an artist who has shared the stage and studio with some of the genre’s biggest names while forging a dynamic solo career of his own.
Born in Santa Barbara, California, Greene’s path to the stage began early, shaped by the musical influence of his mother’s piano playing and the diverse record collection of his parents. However, it was his grandfather, Alfred “Chico” Alvarez, a former member of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, who ignited Greene’s deeper interest in pursuing a life in music. After dabbling in piano and saxophone, Greene found his calling in the guitar, influenced heavily by rock legends and classic blues recordings introduced to him by his father’s friend.
He studied music formally at Santa Barbara City College and later at Berklee College of Music, before leaving to jump into professional performance. Greene eventually began fronting his own blues rock outfit, a move that would open doors to opening slots for artists like John Mayall, Lonnie Brooks, Robin Trower, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. In 2001, he released his debut album A Little Wiser, marking the beginning of what would become a rich catalog of blues-rock work under his own name.
Greene’s talent and style attracted the attention of legendary figures in the music industry. A chance encounter led to his involvement with the Alan Parsons Live Project, where he spent years touring internationally as Parsons’ guitarist and also appeared on the 2004 studio album A Valid Path. In 2010, he joined the band as a full-time member and contributed to the Alan Parsons Symphonic Project – Live in Colombia album. Around the same time, he also performed with Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, even opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd at a Florida concert.
After stepping back from Parsons’ band in 2017, Greene continued to refine his solo work. He signed with Rip Cat Records and released Dream Train, which garnered critical acclaim and a nomination for Album of the Year from DownBeat Magazine. He followed it with Live From the 805, a live recording celebrating the 20th anniversary of his band, which was nominated by Blues Blast Magazine for Rock Blues Album of the Year.
Greene’s creative momentum carried into his 2020 release The New World Blues, recorded in Louisiana with blues icon Tab Benoit’s Whiskey Bayou Records. The stripped-down, live-in-studio album showcased Greene’s songwriting and guitar skills in their rawest form, reflecting a return to basics during a period of global uncertainty.
Most recently, Greene released Standing Out Loud, his 11th solo album and first with Ruf Records. The record was recorded in Nashville with producer JD Simo and aims to recapture the spirit of the 1960s and ’70s blues and rock that first inspired him. With this release, Greene has launched an international tour across the U.S. and Europe, bringing his latest material and years of experience to fans around the world.
Opening the show at The Boardwalk will be Chrissie O’Dell & The Real Deal, a blues group led by New York native Chrissie O’Dell. Known for her rich and soulful voice, O’Dell gained national attention with her debut album If I Had a Dime, which held a spot on the top national blues charts for 12 weeks. Her band features a mix of seasoned blues musicians, including former Johnny Knox sidemen and other respected local talent.
The Boardwalk, located at 9426 Greenback Lane in Orangevale, is one of the region’s longest-running live music venues, known for hosting both emerging and established touring acts in an up-close setting. For tickets to this weekend’s show, visit www.rocktheboardwalk.com. Ticket prices range from $20 to $30.
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