When soul singer/harmonica player Curtis Salgado learned a few years ago that he had liver cancer and needed a transplant to survive, a lack of health insurance created a scary situation. But Salgado is so beloved and respected in the worlds of blues and soul that numerous musical luminaries - including Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, Taj Mahal, and Steve Miller - banded together to raise money for Salgado's treatment by, among other efforts, holding several benefit concerts. Such an outpouring of aid reflects Salgado's impact on the music world. Since the early 1970's, he's set the standard for modern soul blues, most famously serving as the primary inspiration for John Belushi's Jake Blues character. (The first Blues Brothers album is dedicated to Salgado.) Now cancer-free, Salgado is touring behind his new CD, the much-lauded "Clean Getaway."

Curtis Salgado plays Tuesday, July 21, 10 p.m. at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, 99 Court St. Free. 325-7090.