UPPER LAKE, Calif. – On Saturday, Feb. 18 the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake will present an informal concert with two of the best known boogie woogie and blues pianists in California, Wendy DeWitt and Steve Willis.

The two will be backed by percussionist Kirk Harwood.

This will be the third in the 2017 Tallman series of “Concerts with Conversation” for a small audience of about 40 in the Meeting House next to the hotel.

Wendy DeWitt is known throughout the country as the “Queen of Boogie Woogie,” and for the last 15 years she’s brought an annual show by that name to the stage at Yoshi’s in Oakland.

Because of her affinity for Lake County, Wendy has also brought this show to the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport.

“Wendy is a great person and a high-energy performer,” said Tallman owner Bernie Butcher. “She recently moved up to the Ukiah area with her musical partner, now husband, Kirk Harwood, so it’s wonderful to be able to see more of this unique talent.”

Steve Willis is a commanding singer and keyboardist who delivers classic and original material with conviction and authenticity.

With more than 40 years in the business and counting, Willis knows a lot about American roots music and shows it with every note.

In addition to his performing career, Willis is a master craftsman, helping to restore ultra-high end grand pianos at the Callahan Piano Company in San Francisco.

“I first heard of Steve when I saw a wonderful documentary called Miracle in a Box about one of Steve’s projects there,” said Butcher.

When told of Butcher’s plans to show a brief excerpt from this video before the concert, Willis said “Wow, it’s really cool that people are interested in my day job in addition to my music!”

The Tallman Concert Series continues on March 18 with country stars Rita Hosking and Sean Feder and concludes on April 8 with Bob Culbertson on the Chapman Stick accompanied by percussionist Rick Alegria.

The DeWitt/Willis concert on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m. is in the Meeting House next to the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake.

Tickets at $25 plus tax may be purchased by calling the Hotel at 707-275-2244, Extension 0. Pre-concert dinner reservations can be made at the Blue Wing Restaurant at 707-275-2233. Coffee and cookies are served in the Meeting House prior to the show.