Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, endnu en gang kåret til ‘Band of the Year’ af The Blues Foundation i Memphis.

Blues Heaven Festival præsenterer stolt et af de mest prisvindende og underholdende bluesbands i verden: Rick Estrin & The Nightcats. Med deres nyeste og sjette album på Alligator records »The Hits Keep Coming« cementerer de endnu en gang deres status som moderne blueslegender – og til oktober kan vi opleve dem live i Arena Nord i Frederikshavn, til en koncert, der med garanti bliver et af festivalens helt store højdepunkter.

Det nye album lever fuldt op til sin titel og byder på en perlerække af numre, der kombinerer skarp sangskrivning, humor, intensitet og en enestående musikalitet. Det er moderne blues, når det er allermest slagkraftigt – og live bringes det til nye højder.

I front står Rick Estrin, en sand karakter og entertainer i verdensklasse. Med sin karakteristiske cool attitude, sit elegante jakkesæt og sin vokal leverer han ikke blot musik, men en oplevelse. Hans mundharmonikaspil er blandt de mest respekterede på den internationale bluesscene, og hans evne til at kombinere humor og dybde i sine tekster er helt unik. Estrin har i årevis været kendt som en af de mest farverige og originale skikkelser i bluesverdenen, og hans tilstedeværelse på scenen er intet mindre end elektrisk.

Bag ham står The Nightcats – et band i absolut verdensklasse. Den norskfødte guitarvirtuos Christoffer “Kid” Andersen leverer eksplosive soloer og en lyd, der trækker tråde til både blues, soul, surf og funk. På tangenter og bas finder vi Lorenzo Farrell, som med sit alsidige spil tilfører dybde og elegance. Bag trommerne sidder den dynamiske Derrick “D’Mar” Martin, tidligere fast trommeslager gennem 17  år for selveste Little Richard. Hans spil er et show i sig selv og bringer en fysisk og rytmisk energi, der er sjælden.

Deres mange anerkendelser taler for sig selv. I 2025 er bandet nomineret til hele seks Blues Music Awards, herunder Band of the Year, Contemporary Blues Album og B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. Disse nomineringer bekræfter, hvad deres fans verden over allerede ved: Rick Estrin & The Nightcats er blandt de største og mest medrivende navne i bluesens verden i dag.

Vær klar til en aften, hvor du får alt det bedste, blues kan tilbyde – swing, soul, humor, rå talent og ikke mindst verdensklasse showmanship. Rick Estrin & The Nightcats på Blues Heaven Festival 2025 bliver en uforglemmelig oplevelse, du ikke vil gå glip af!

Som Estrin selv siger:

“Folk går ikke ud for at se nogen, der ligner dem selv. De vil se noget særligt. Jeg er skolet i showmanship – og det er dét, du får, når du ser os live.”

2025 Blues Music Award Nominations:

1. Band of the Year: Recognizing the group’s outstanding ensemble performance.

2. Contemporary Blues Album: For their album The Hits Keep Coming, showcasing modern blues excellence.

3. B.B. King Entertainer of the Year: Rick Estrin is nominated for his dynamic stage presence and entertainment value.

4. Instrumentalist – Harmonica Acknowledging Rick Estrin’s mastery of the harmonica.

5. Instrumentalist – Guitar: Christoffer “Kid” Andersen is nominated for his exceptional guitar work.

6. Instrumentalist – Drums: Derrick “D’Mar” Martin, for his outstanding drumming skills.

Exclusive Concert at Blues Heaven 2025

Blues Heaven Festival proudly presents one of the most award-winning and entertaining blues bands in the world: Rick Estrin & The Nightcats. With their latest and sixth album on Alligator Records, The Hits Keep Coming, they once again cement their status as modern blues legends — and this October, we’ll get to experience them live at Arena Nord in Frederikshavn, in a concert guaranteed to be one of the festival’s major highlights.

The new album more than lives up to its title, offering a string of tracks that blend sharp songwriting, humor, intensity, and outstanding musicianship. It’s modern blues at its most powerful — and on stage, the music reaches new heights.

Frontman Rick Estrin is a true character and world-class entertainer. With his signature cool attitude, elegant suit, and distinct vocals, he doesn’t just deliver music — he delivers an experience. His harmonica playing is among the most respected on the international blues scene, and his ability to weave humor and depth into his lyrics is unparalleled. Estrin has long been recognized as one of the most colorful and original figures in the blues world, and his stage presence is nothing short of electric.

Backing him is The Nightcats — a band of absolute world-class musicians. Norwegian-born guitar virtuoso Christoffer “Kid” Andersen delivers explosive solos and a sound that draws on blues, soul, surf, and funk. On keys and bass is Lorenzo Farrell, whose versatile playing adds both depth and elegance. Behind the drums is the dynamic Derrick “D’Mar” Martin, who spent 17 years as the drummer for none other than Little Richard. His playing is a show in itself, bringing a rare physical and rhythmic energy.

Their many accolades speak for themselves. In 2025, the band is nominated for six Blues Music Awards, including Band of the Year, Contemporary Blues Album, and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. These nominations confirm what fans around the world already know: Rick Estrin & The Nightcats are among the most compelling and exciting names in blues music today.

Get ready for an evening filled with everything blues has to offer — swing, soul, humor, raw talent, and above all, world-class showmanship. Rick Estrin & The Nightcats at Blues Heaven Festival 2025 will be an unforgettable experience you won’t want to miss!

As Estrin himself says:

“People don’t go out to see someone who looks like them. They want to see something special. I’m trained in showmanship — and that’s what you get when you see us live.”

2025 Blues Music Award Nominations:

1. Band of the Year – Recognizing the group’s outstanding ensemble performance.

2. Contemporary Blues Album – For The Hits Keep Coming, showcasing modern blues excellence.

3. B.B. King Entertainer of the Year – Rick Estrin is nominated for his dynamic stage presence and entertainment value.

4. Instrumentalist – Harmonica – Acknowledging Rick Estrin’s mastery of the harmonica.

5. Instrumentalist – Guitar – Christoffer “Kid” Andersen is nominated for his exceptional guitar work.

6. Instrumentalist – Drums – Derrick “D’Mar” Martin, for his outstanding drumming skills.