Bluffton native Jesse Henry and the Royal Tycoons, a blues band from Colombus will perform in the back room of Tu Pueblo, Saturday, April 24.

The show opens with an act by Bluffton University grad Matt Keeler at 8 p.m. Admission is $5.

By the time Henry graduated from Bluffton High School he already had a loyal following for his music career, and he hasn't slowed down since then.

He says: "When I was born in February 1978 I didn't stop screaming for 54 and a half hours. Mama said, 'Aw Jesse's got a sweet holwin' moan and a set of pipes that will someday break pint glasses and shatter pin-up girls.'

"I never intended on letting mama down. Now I sing and write for the Spikedrivers, a Yankee Country Rock Band, play saxophone and anything that rings with the Royal Tycoons, and occasionally do the singer/songwriter sets wherever someone thinks.

"Pretty much I try to make a puzzle out of Charlie Mingus, Bob Dylan, Johnny Griffin and Hartford, Nina Simone, Woody Guthrie, Bill and Marilyn Monroe, priests and outlaws that will fit together and frame on my wall while I play the accordion."

The Royal Tycoons play regularly in the Columbus area. Other band members are Nathan Anders on vibraphone and piano; Larry Cook on bass; Chris Guthrie on drums and jawharp; Jesse Henry vocals, saxophone and harmonica; Colin Lazarski on guitar and mandolin.

Their styles ranging from country white boy lyrisisms and Langston Hughesy -soul jazzisms.