If the modern blues too often feels ossified - riffs and poses handed down from the Blues Brothers and white classic rockers - then meet Mark Dufresne. The blues musician looks backward and forward at the same time. Dufresne is schooled in the ways of Sonny Boy, Junior Wells and James Cotton. His work on the chromatic harmonica is considered as some of the most innovative in blues music.  His ability to circular breathe has left audiences dazed, dancing in circles until they drop. 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. The Washington Blues Society has awarded him for best vocalist, songwriter and harmonica more than any other artist.

MARK DUFRESNE, 7 p.m., The Spar, 2121 N. 30th Tacoma, no cover, 253.672.8215