The smooth humming of the saxophone, cool twanging of the electric guitar, and the tapping of the drums will fill the Emma Kelly Theatre at the Averitt Center for the Arts at 7 p.m.

The Chris Mitchell Band will be performing in honor of the Blues and Gospel portion of the America’s Music series of public events.

This series is sponsored by Henderson Library, Tribeca Film Institute in collaboration with the American Library Association, Tribeca Flashpoint, the Society for American Music and made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The purpose of this series is to educate the community about all of the different American musical genres as well as entertain, Director of Library General Operations Bede Mitchell, said.

There will be a series of free concerts until the end of October which will focus on a different musical genre, the showing of historical musical film and educational documentaries.

“This is a great opportunity for young and old alike to learn the history of American music and how it evolved,”  Mitchell said.

The concert on tonight is called “Nothin’ but The Blues” and will feature music from the late 20s to modern day Blue’s music.

The Chris Mitchell Band has toured the Southeast for 20 years.  Members include Ryan Kelly (bass), Chris Mitchell (singer/songwriter), Matt Fallon (percussion), and Ashley Mitchell (female vocalist).

“It’s going to be a great show. I’m extremely excited,” lead band member Chris Mitchell said. “You don’t get the opportunity to play just a straight Blue’s show. This is a golden opportunity to be able to showcase for the community.”