Internationally acclaimed band brings its celebrated live show and seven-time Blues Music Award-winning frontman to Powerhouse Pub in Historic Folsom
One of modern blues music’s most celebrated live acts is headed to Historic Folsom this weekend as Rick Estrin & The Nightcats bring their award-winning blend of blues, rockabilly, jazz and soul to Powerhouse Pub for the latest installment of the venue’s popular Sunday Powerhouse of Blues series.
The Sunday, July 19 performance begins at 3 p.m. and features a band widely regarded as one of the finest in contemporary blues. Fresh off earning both the 2025 Blues Music Award and the Living Blues Critics’ Award for Band of the Year, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats arrive in Folsom riding a wave of critical acclaim surrounding their latest Alligator Records release, The Hits Keep Coming.
For more than five decades, Estrin has carved out a remarkable career as an award-winning harmonica virtuoso, songwriter, vocalist and one of blues music’s most entertaining frontmen.
Born in San Francisco in 1949, Estrin discovered blues music after receiving a copy of Ray Charles’ The Genius Sings the Blues from his older sister. That album sparked a lifelong passion that quickly immersed him in the city’s thriving blues scene, where he was performing in neighborhood clubs before he was old enough to legally enter them.
By the time he was 19, Estrin had moved to Chicago, where he jammed with some of the city’s greatest blues musicians, including the legendary Muddy Waters. According to Estrin, Waters was so impressed that he invited the young harmonica player to join his touring band, but a missed phone call prevented what could have been a career-changing opportunity. Instead, Estrin returned to California and continued forging a path that would eventually make him one of the most respected names in modern blues.
He first gained international recognition as co-founder of Little Charlie & The Nightcats before forming Rick Estrin & The Nightcats following guitarist Charlie Baty’s retirement. Today, the acclaimed lineup includes Grammy-nominated guitarist, producer and multi-instrumentalist Christoffer “Kid” Andersen, keyboardist and bassist Lorenzo Farrell and drummer Derrick “D’Mar” Martin, a quartet known as much for its musicianship as its unforgettable live performances.
Their newest album, The Hits Keep Coming, is the band’s sixth release on the legendary Alligator Records label and has been praised as one of its strongest efforts to date. Produced by Andersen at Greaseland USA Studios in San Jose, the album blends hard-driving blues, rockabilly, jazz and soul with Estrin’s clever songwriting, powerful harmonica playing and unmistakable vocals. The record features 12 groove-heavy tracks, including 10 originals or co-writes by Estrin and a pair of inventive cover songs that showcase the band’s creativity and versatility.
Estrin believes the current lineup has reached a new level.
“This band is killer. I’m enjoying this all more than ever,” Estrin said in promotional materials released by Alligator Records. “It’s a blessing—there’s so much energy, so much collaboration. The band is just so good right now. And the live show is off the charts.”
Blues Music Magazine called Rick Estrin & The Nightcats “the best in the land,” praising the band’s songwriting, musicianship and originality. No Depression described the group as “a formidable force,” while DownBeat declared the current lineup “the best band anywhere.” Forbes praised the quartet as “America’s greatest musical showmen,” highlighting Estrin’s charisma alongside the band’s dynamic blend of blues, jazz, rock and swing.
Over the course of his career, Estrin has earned seven Blues Music Awards, including honors for Song of the Year, Traditional Male Blues Artist, Instrumentalist–Harmonica and multiple Band of the Year awards. The Nightcats have performed at major festivals and concert halls across the United States and throughout Europe, Australia, Turkey, Russia and South America, establishing an international reputation for both musicianship and showmanship.
What separates Rick Estrin & The Nightcats from many contemporary blues acts is their ability to honor traditional blues while constantly pushing the music forward. Their performances seamlessly weave together Chicago blues, West Coast swing, rockabilly, jazz and soul, all anchored by Estrin’s expressive harmonica playing and witty, streetwise songwriting.
The band’s live performances have become legendary, fueled by Andersen’s electrifying guitar work, Farrell’s rich keyboard textures, Martin’s explosive drumming and Estrin’s unmistakable stage presence.
“People don’t go out to see people who look like themselves,” Estrin said. “They want to see something special. I was schooled in this business to be a showman, and that’s what you get when you come to see us perform. We know how to put on a show. I feel sorry for anyone who has to follow us.”
Sunday’s performance continues Powerhouse Pub’s popular Powerhouse of Blues series, which regularly brings nationally and internationally recognized blues artists to Historic Folsom.
Powerhouse Pub is located at 614 Sutter Street in the heart of Historic Folsom. The venue features multiple bars, VIP seating and live entertainment throughout the week. Sunday’s show begins at 3 p.m. Advance tickets are $17.82. For tickets and additional information, visit www.powerhousepub.com. All shows at Powerhouse are 21 and over.
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