Blues musician Chris English to perform Jan. 21

There isn’t much Chris English can’t do. He sings and plays guitar, harp and stomp box, a percussion instrument. And it’s not unusual for him to do three at once.

English will perform at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21, at The Room at Cedar Grove near Lewes.

The event benefits Paul Kares, a nonprofit organization supporting young people pursuing music and culinary arts careers. Recent grants include $3,000 for the Cape Henlopen High School Jazz Band to support travel to a music educators’ conference.

English is known for performing Delta blues, an early style that started in the Mississippi Delta. Key elements are guitar – including slide guitar – and harmonica. English uses an old Coca-Cola box for percussion.

“Chris is a purist,” said Paul Cullen, co-founder of Paul Kares and owner of Paul’s Kitchen, which shares space with The Room at Cedar Grove. “He gravitates toward guitars from the ’20s and ’30s to create an authentic sound.”

For Salisbury University, English developed a class called Blues: The Roots of Rock and Roll. In addition to traditional blues covers, he also performs original songs.

Tickets are $25 each, and Paul’s Kitchen will offer food and beverages for a separate fee.

To learn more or buy tickets, go to paulkaresde.org/concerts.