The highest benchmark an aspiring guitarist can reach is “the next Jimi Hendrix.” Given Hendrix’s status as a guitar legend, that is a tall order but Ralph Woodson has chosen to achieve this by becoming Jimi Hendrix– figuratively speaking, of course. Those wishing to become acquainted with the Vallejo-based singer and guitarist can check out his Hendrix tribute group the Purple Haze Band when they play the Empress Theatre tomorrow.

Woodson, a fan of Hendrix since his youth in Richmond, has been playing with the Purple Haze Band since 2001, back when they were called the Ralph Woodson Experience. He first became a Hendrix enthusiast after hearing his 1970 live album “Band of Gypsys,” released six months before the guitarist’s death. Woodson toured with many bands, including the Trichromes, a Bay Area band whose members also consisted of Bill Kreutzmann of The Grateful Dead and Neal Schon of Journey and Santana fame. With the Trichromes and later the Sy Klopps Blues Band, Woodson got to share the stage with the likes of James Brown, Tower of Power, Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top. However, most of his time is spent touring with the Purple Haze Band, where he has emulated the look, vocals and even guitar skills of Hendrix. He is rounded out by bassist Pete Roberts, who has played at such concerts as the Atlanta Jazz Festival and Sonora Blues Festival, and drummer Leo Vigil, who has gotten to share the stage with the likes of Three Dog Night, Eddie Money, Elvin Bishop, Foghat, Night Ranger and The Greg Kihn Band.

For those who were not fortunate to see Hendrix perform live in the few short years when he was alive and in the mainstream, this Empress concert could be the next best thing. The show should be of interest to anybody who has wanted to hear renditions of songs like “Fire,” Foxy Lady,” “Voodoo Child” and “All Along the Watchtower” performed live in the heavy blues style that Hendrix was most famous for.

Opening for the Purple Haze band will be the Tommy Odetto Band, a group lead by Fairfax resident Odetto who played the BottleRock Napa Valley festival in May and plans to have an EP out this year, which features his single “Runaway.” For more information, go to tommyodetto.com.

The show will be held Friday, June 29 at the Empress, located at 330 Virginia St. in Vallejo. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8. General admission tickets are $25 at the box office and $20 online at EmpressThreatre.org, where more information can be found. For more info on the Purple Haze Band, go to purplehazeband.com.

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