TONY ENGELHART: REAL BLUES AT THE SPAR >>>

Do you want to hear some real blues? I’m not talking about that watered down shit masquerading as blues; I’m talking authentic blues. If you answered yes â€" and you know what I’m talking about â€" then Mark Dufresne will scratch your blues itch until it’s raw and bleeding. Dufresne is schooled in the ways of Sonny Boy, Junior Wells and James Cotton. One of the best chromatic harmonica players in the state, he was scooped up by the legendary Roomful of Blues in 2002 as the band wanted to return to a more traditional sound. Dufresne delivered, and the band received a Grammy nomination and won a W.C. Handy Award. In 2006, the big man returned to the Northwest, fired up his own band and now travels the world on his own merits. Like I said, if you long for some high-octane shuffles and some jumpin’ boogie woogie, Mark Dufresne is your ticket.

[The Spar, 7 p.m. 2121 N. 30th St., Old Town Tacoma, 253.672.8215]