Sun. Feb. 28

Take two members of Aerosmith, a former member of Santana, a former member of Boston, add in local harpist extraordiare James Montgomery (and his band) and bring on John Belushi’s bro Jim and you’ve got what being billed as the "Legends of Rock N’ Blues" show at the House of Blues Sunday Feb. 28. (It’ll also include Johnny A and the Uptown Horns and the horn section that played with the Rolling Stones.) That’s long-winded but it’s a long night, and it’s both the kickoff of something called the Powerhouse Breakout Artist Series and a benefit for the House of Blues Foundation and DeviBlue. The Powerhouse thing was begun by Susan Maguire, a friend in the publicity biz who started this thing in New York. She moved back to these parts recently, and partnered up to launch the series at the HoB. The idea: Celebrity guests will introduce the "breakout artists" to those people that belong to the HoB’s Foundation Room members. That is, music in a small, intimate, comfy setting – and that ineffable air of exclusivity.

But the main show – started by the ubiquitous Ernie & the Automatics at 7 – features the aforementioned guys in what we imagine will be some kinda monstrous blues-rock jam session. The Aerosmith guys are not the two famous/infamous guys in the band, Joe Perry and Steve Tyler, but guitarist Brad Whitford (in photo) and drummer Joey Kramer. The Santana guy is Michael Carabello, the only percussionist/conga player in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we are told. Tix for this show go for $45-$30. If you want to take in the VIP reception in the Foundation Room, where your host is the ever-genial Bob Dougherty. (Bob ran the HoB Foundation Room with Tim Collins until recently; he got a bump up as director of corporate alliances for Live Nation and House of Blues.)

Timeframe: If you go for the VIP package you get access to the Foundation Room reception (4-6 pm) and from 6 to 6:45 the as yet un-named breakout artist will perform.

One more bit: There's art involved. One knock at the House of Blues - well, since the original tiny Cambridge club shut down - is that there aren't a helluva lot of blues in the House. Of course, there aren't a helluva lot of blues artists out there touring who could put enough bodies inside even if was truly a House of Blues. So, call it an all-purpose concert hall/club with a basis in the blues. To that end, the HoB Foundation has added an exhibit by pop artist Tom Zotos called “Birth of the Blues." It will be featured in the Foundation Room during the VIP reception and at the star-studded concert. Zotos was instrumental in the merchandising of the House of Blues brand in the early years of the franchise. The “Birth of the Blues” art exhibition visits the history of the uniquely American musical form from a visual perspective.  The exhibit will feature the lost photograph of Robert Johnson along with handmade canvases of other blues and rock n’ roll greats.The art exhibition is up  Time frame 4-6:45 in the Foundation Room during the VIP reception held and in the concert beginning at 7. Wanna buy something? www.tomzotos.net.

15 Lansdowne St., 8880-693-2583 www.hob.com