The Santa Clarita Valley-based Strong Rhythm & Blues Quintet returns to headline the free Valencia Jazz & Blues concert on the street outside the Hyatt Regency Valencia on Friday, June 19 starting at 7 p.m.

Fronted by stand-up drummer/singer Chuck Strong, a Santa Clarita resident since 1968, the band plays groove-driven contemporary blues and rock, locally as well as on tour across the country.

SRBQ is a two-time winner of our local SCV Blues Society’s Battle of the Blues Bands and has competed in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge twice.

The name SRBQ is a Strong homage to the group NRBQ, who inspired Chuck to sing and write rhythm and blues influenced songs back in the late ’70s.

The quintet is gearing up to support Strong’s third album, “Blues To Grey,” produced at Mystic Mountain Sound Studio by former MCA and Motown Records artist Paul Marshall and studio owner/engineer David Grover.

Joining Strong are John Davis (Ricky Nelson, The Hellicasters) and Paul Marshall on guitars and David Grover (Elvin Bishop, Mikey Thomas, Rufus and many more) on bass. Rounding out the SRBQ sound with his powerful sax playing is the legendary Jim Scimonetti, who also plays with Captain Cardiac & The Coronaries as well as other local groups.

This week’s edition of the Valencia Jazz & Blues summer concert series is presented by D’Wilfri DanceArt and Entertainment, Audiology Associates, the Miss SCV Scholarship Program and SCV Water.

Food and beverage vendors include Salt Creek Grille, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Wolf Creek Brewery and Mystic Hills.

A portion of the proceeds from this week’s concessions will go to the non-profit Assistance League Santa Clarita, a volunteer organization that develops and implements programs to make a difference in the lives of families in our community. The Assistance League acts as a friend at any and all times to men, women and children in need of care, guidance and assistance – emotionally, materially and physically.

Series sponsors are Princess Cruises, Chiquita Canyon (A Waste Connections Company), the City of Santa Clarita, the Hyatt Regency Valencia, Mercedes-Benz of Valencia and Pleasantview Industries.

Media sponsors include SCVTV, the Magazine of Santa Clarita, Signal Multimedia, InsideSCV Magzzine and Stark Social Media Agency.

For more information, visit the Valencia Jazz & Blues website or call 661-290-2911.