Series ends on upbeat blues note

Big Daddy and the Blue Notes play the grand finale for Kalispell's free Picnic in the Park concert series on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Depot Park.

Steve "Big Daddy" Kelly has been a professional musician since 1964, when at age 16 he started playing rock and soul music.

Since 1992, Big Daddy and the Blue Notes have played upbeat Chicago-style blues, firmly rooted in the traditions of the great masters of the 1950s and '60s, such as Muddy Waters, Slim Harpo and Howlin' Wolf. Out of this tradition, the group has fashioned its own style of driving shuffle, sensual mambo and boogie-woogie that gets audiences dancing.

Big Daddy often calls on keyboard player Chuck Cummings, saxophone master Fred Jones and Misosula Phil on harmonica. Big Daddy's longtime bassist is Mark Meznarich and the drummer is Marshall Noice.

Food and drinks will be available during the concert.