Blues guitarist Eric Gales plays Tampa tonight

   If you're a blues fan, or especially if you're a blues musician, you're going to want to head to Tampa tonight.
   Eric Gales, the fiery blues guitarist and singer, is performing at the Green Iguana Bar & Grill. His appearance hasn't been publicized, and it's free.
   He'll be there headlining the regular Monday Night Blues Jam, which has been attracting great local and national musicians for decades.
   Gales has been a major force in blues-rock since 1991, when a readers poll in "Guitar World" magazine named him "best new talent." He was only 17 at the time.
   "As a guitarist he has the energy and power of Buddy Guy," said Dean Germain, who runs the weekly jam. "But he has the vocal smoothness of a Johnny Taylor."
   The jam kicks off about 10 p.m. and runs until the bar closes at 3 a.m. Blues musicians are encouraged to get up and play with Gales and Germain and the house band. But it's a jam, not an open mic night; players who aren't good enough are asked to sit down. That's maybe not so great for the players, but it ensures great music for the audience.
   The Green Iguana is at 4029 S. Westshore Blvd., Tampa. 813-837-1234, www.greeniguana.com