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Cecil’s is proud to bring Chris Klein and his band, the Boulevards, to Garberville this weekend. Some folks were lucky enough to catch Chris sitting in with the Speakeasy Saints at Cecil’s Mardi Gras party last month. Well he’s back and this time he is bringing his band.

While attending high school in his native city of New Orleans, Chris Klein joined a band with a few of his classmates who were looking for a lead singer. With no formal training or experience, he put his best efforts forth to sing old standard blues songs and play a few barely-in-tune harmonicas. Thus began a love affair that continues to this day.

He began practicing on them, studying the styles of the great “harp masters” and learning the basics, as well as the various nuances that could be coaxed out of the versatile mouth instrument. Over time, his understanding of the many styles of harp playing grew to include those that expanded beyond the norm into realms of music that were indigenous around him. The musical melting pot that New Orleans essentially is, provided exposure to the beat of the Second line and the Mardi Gras Indians, the rhythms of Cuba and Haiti, and the harmonies and melodies of jazz. There, as well as in the blues, Klein found his musical niche.

At the age of 20, he moved to Colorado and a new stage of his career began. He was given a flute by a friend and was instantly fascinated by it. He enlisted the aid of some street musicians to teach him the basics and, over time, his training opened him up to another world and a new understanding of music. Later on, a tenor saxophone was added to Klein’s arsenal of instruments. He formed a band called the Boulevards, which became one of Colorado’s premiere blues bands, playing songs by great blues masters and recording their first CD, “Might the Boulevards Swing.” The few originals on the recording gave Klein valuable songwriting experience, which was reflected in an all-original follow-up CD called “Desire.” The music heretofore would be more jazz-influenced blues.

Join him and his band, The Boulevards, at Cecil’s in Garberville on Friday, March 19 at 8 p.m. As always, there is no cover!

photo: Chris Klein & The Boulevards play at Cecil’s New Orleans Bistro in Garberville this Friday, March 19, starting at 8 p.m. There is no cover charge. www.kleinblvd.com.