AUGUSTA — Bangor-area blues favorites the Blood Orange Martinis will return to Lithgow Library to give a high-octane show on the lawn for the library’s popular Summer Concert Series at 6:30 tonight, at Lithgow Library, 45 Winthrop St.

The Blood Orange Martinis formed a few years ago when guitarist Trent Souder and harp player Lauren Williams, who had been playing as a blues duo, joined forces with bass player Phil Pitula to create a trio with a more driving, electric sound. Souder and Williams had been playing together in various blues bands since the early 1990s. In their initial collaboration with Pitula they formed the short-lived Sweet Northern Blues Band, which played festivals and local clubs for about a year before dissolving. Pitula, a veteran of such groups as Sister Sadie, Nevah and Hot Wax, rejoined Sounder and Williams to form the Blood Orange Martinis, producing a tighter, more dynamic trio which has the power of a full band and the dynamics of a small group.

The Blood Orange Martinis recently beat out a number of other acts to represent Maine in the International Blues Challenge, being held next January in Memphis. The group got its name one night by looking at the chalkboard over a bar which read, “Tonight’s Special: Blood Orange Martinis,” and the name stuck. They play old-school blues, sometimes swinging, sometimes chunky, but always rocking.

Generously sponsored by the Friends of Lithgow Library, the concerts take place on Thursday evenings in the summer, and are free and open to the public. In case of rain, the concert will be held in the library’s Reading Room.

For more information, call 626-2415 or visit www.lithgow.lib.me.us.