Harp ace Mark Wenner, founder and band leader for Washington D.C.’s long-running Nighthawks, has put together a pure straight-ahead blues band in his latest side project. As you may know, The Nighthawks began as a solid traditional blues band in the late ‘70s but have grown into a blues/roots/rockabilly unit over the years and shifts in band members. Wenner, though, has been playing long enough to have supported Muddy Waters, Slim Harpo and many others. He’s not only schooled in the real deal blues. He loves it. “This band is actually a blues band,” says Wenner, addressing comparisons. “The Nighthawks are a blues and roots-rock band. This band, with upright bass, is more authentic, old school and swinging. It’s closer to the Cash Box Kings than J. Geils; a whole different animal.”

Joining Wenner (vocals, harmonica) in the band are fellow Nighthawks mate Mark Stutso (drums, vocals), as well as Clarence “The Bluesman” Turner (guitar, vocals), Zach Sweeney (guitar) and Steve Wolf (upright bass). Given the presence of Wenner and Stutso, though, there are plenty of similarities to The Nighthawks too. The Blues Warriors cover Muddy Waters twice, and as he’s done on recent ‘Hawks albums, Wenner transforms another Elvis Presley classic, “Teddy Bear,” into a blues excursion. The dozen tracks also include two instrumentals, the Paul Williams chestnut, “The Hucklebuck,” as well as the original, “Just Like Jimmy,” an homage to the iconic Jimmy Reed. Vax card or proof of negative test required. $10