A blend of blues, swing and old-fashioned rock 'n' roll comes to State College as Little Charlie & The Nightcats perform at 9 p.m. at the American Ale House and Grill, 821 Cricklewood Drive.

Based out of Sacramento and currently on a rigorous touring schedule that will see the band play about 200 shows in venues from California to Poland, Little Charlie & The Nightcats has proven its original style can resonate with all generations.

"These are guys who have certainly withstood the test of time ... They've been playing for over 30 years," said Tom Poole, associate vice provost for educational equity and host of The Blues on WPSU-FM (91.5). "They really incorporate many types of blues and even some rock 'n' roll and rockabilly into their music. They're very popular in blues circles and they keep very busy."

The band's founders, guitarist Little Charlie Baty and harmonica player/vocalist/songwriter Rick Estrin, met in the early 1970s at University of California, Berkeley, and have been together for more than 30 years. Since forming Little Charlie & The Nightcats, they have recorded several albums, including their most recent, That's Big!, which was released in 2002.

Many of those years have been filled with extensive touring, and throughout the group's career, Little Charlie & The Nightcats has developed a passion for live performances and a love for entertaining. "We've pretty much played over 200 shows a year for the past 20 years," Baty said. "When you play blues type music, which is music you want to get the audience involved with, you really get a feel for what gets people off their feet and gets them clapping. We just genuinely love to perform."

American Ale House and Grill owner Tommy Wareham agreed.

"It really looks like they're going to be a lot of fun," he said. "They do a real show, they do a lot of funny stuff and have some great '50s retro outfits."

Wareham noted that the band's sound has made it a major player in the blues community, and one he is happy to have booked.

"I had heard that if I ever had a chance to book them, do it. They do all the big festivals, the Chicago Blues Festival, they go to Europe," Wareham said.

"It's kind of like jump blues. They use upright bass, drums and harmonica ... Little Charlie plays the guitar and he's just terrific. He never misses a lick."

While the band has developed a following all over the world, it also has been recognized for excellence by its peers this year, having garnered its second consecutive W.C. Handy Blues Award nomination for blues band of the year -- the blues equivalent of the Grammy Awards.

While it's been nearly 10 years since Little Charlie & The Nightcats has been to State College, Baty said he is confident those in attendance will enjoy the show.

"Every year right around the time the snow melts, The Nightcats are out prowling again," he said. "Expect the unexpected and we'll have a really great time."