Ana Popovic’s Commanding Performance in Tampa Leaves Audience Wanting More

Live Review

Ana Popovic. Cell photo-Anita Stewart.

By Anita Stewart, Rock At Night Tampa

Live Review: Ana Popovic w/the Ellie Lee Band – Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa, Florida-February 22, 2024

Ana Popovic. Cell photo-Anita Stewart.

Ana Popovic is a Serbian-born blues guitarist and singer who has become one of the most respected and acclaimed performers in the genre. With her soulful voice and impressive guitar skills, Popovic has captivated audiences around the world and earned a reputation as one of the top female blues artists of her generation. Popovic’s dynamic live performances have also earned her a devoted following and her energetic stage presence and electrifying guitar solos leave her audiences spellbound. Rock at Night has covered Ana’s shows and music before and you can check those previous stories out HERE and HERE.

Ana Popovic. Cell photo-Anita Stewart.

Adding to her body of work is her latest offering–the album “Power” that dropped in May ’23–probably her most commercial offering to date with varied songs combining the genres of pop, rock, blues and jazz. Of the album, Ana says, “Our sound is so eclectic – it’s a gumbo of rock, blues, gospel, soul, funk. It’s black AND white, like the cover of Power.” This writer has this album on continuous play right now.

It was a cold night when we got to the show, we quickly grabbed some drinks and seats near the stage to enjoy the opener: the Ellie Lee Band. Great music to warm things up–Ellie played some original music along with some incredible covers that included “Europa” by Santana, a Jeff Beck medley and even Jimmy Page/Led Zeppelin. The crowd danced and cheered her on; this lady is good!
Ana Popovic came to the stage as the temperatures dropped and the heaters were lit up throughout the audience. She played most of the songs from the “Power” album, nothing slow, but danceable songs, heavy on the brass and the bass player and drummer were exceptional. People danced and probably did not feel the cold much during the whole performance and a portion of the audience crushed against the barricade around the stage to watch how Ana was doing her licks on the guitar! Current line-up is: Evan Knight (saxophone), Pete Clagett (trumpet), Buthel Burns (bass and background vocals) and Cedric Goodman (drums and background vocals).
Ana Popovic. Cell photo-Anita Stewart.

In addition to her music career, Popovic also lends her name and effort to advocate for women in music and has been vocal about the challenges faced by female musicians in a male-dominated industry. She has been a strong supporter of organizations that promote gender equality and has used her platform to inspire and empower women to pursue their musical aspirations. With her talent, passion, and commitment to her craft, Ana Popovic continues to push the boundaries of the blues genre and inspire audiences around the world. Whether she’s shredding on her guitar or belting out a soulful ballad, Popovic’s music is a testament to the power of the blues to transcend borders and connect people from all walks of life. Her upcoming tour dates include various locations throughout Europe and then back to the US for a busy spring and early summer as festival season gets under way. Click HERE for the tour schedule and be sure to get your tickets early!

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