If a 19-year-old guitarist wants instant cred, he or she could do worse than join Bernie Worrell's band. Which is what happened to Boston's Van Gordon Martin, whose subsequent musical journey is a how-to primer in the best way to build a career.

Enamored of reggae, dub and funk, Martin followed his Worrell experiences with an eight-year stint in Spiritual Rez, then branched out with his own vision. The Van Gordon Martin Band recorded "No Limit to Love," their debut album, toured nationally with the Skatalites, blew minds at the 2012 South-by-Southwest music festival, and ended up headlining prestigious halls in New York and Chicago.

Last year, the VGMB's second CD, "Take the High Road," was released, and the group has toured relentlessly in support. They bring their infectious live show Saturday to the Strange Brew Pub in Norwich - and feet and minds will rejoice.

- RICK KOSTER

Van Gordon Martin Band, 8 p.m. Saturday, Strange Brew Pub, 297 West Main St., Norwich; $10; (860) 886-7600.