Albert Castiglia isn’t afraid of change — especially when it comes to music.

The South Florida blues musician switched backup band members, going from a quartet to a trio last year, inevitably shaking up the sound.

“When I made the personnel change, the sound definitely changed,” he said in a phone interview Tuesday. “But I welcomed the new sound and new attitude. Sometimes you have to let the winds of creativity blow you in a different direction.”

His latest record, “Keepin On,” is a reflection of the musical changes Castiglia has embraced.

“It’s edgier than my previous albums,” he said. “It’s a much more more pronounced tone and more aggressive style of playing. It’s a very powerful, muscular sounding record.”

Castigilia and his power blues trio will make a stop in Niles today at the Rivefront Amphitheater as a part of their tour promoting the record.

It was a desire for change that initially launched Castiglia’s music career. Working at the State of Florida welfare office during the day and playing gigs at night was wearing on him, when in 1996 he got his big break.

A friend of his introduced him to blues vocalist and harmonica player Junior Wells and got him to invite Castigilia on stage for a show in South Florida.

“She warned me that if I messed up, he was going to let me hear it, he would razz me about it,” he said. “But I thought, ‘even if he cusses me out on stage, it would be worth it.’”

Wells was impressed with Castigilia enough that he invited him on tour in 1997. Castiglia was the blues legend’s lead guitarist until Wells’ death in 1998. He has been touring and producing solo material since.

The life of a traveling musician is always changing and is often tiring, but Castiglia definitely isn’t complaining.

“When the road is getting me down, all I have to do is think back to working at the welfare office for perspective,” he said. “This is a great life.”

Castiglia, who has cut five records in his musical career, said he loves all genres of music and finds rock, country and jazz influences seeping into his contemporary blues music.

Those attending the show can expect a mix of cover songs of blues and rock artists and Castiglia’s original material.

“It’s really high energy,” he said of his live performances. “We very rarely let up. It’s just a groovy, high energy experience.”

Blues rock guitarist Sean Chambers will open for Castiglia Thursday.

Show dedicated to Niles native

Castigilia will dedicate the show to Jim Peterson, a Niles native, who booked Castigilia and Chambers and passed away last month.

Tom Majerek, the Niles Summer Concert Series organizer, said Peterson was an avid blues fan and had been wanting to bring some big name artists to Niles for a while.

“He was at every blues show in Michiana,” Majerek said. “He was really excited about this show. The show is in memory of Jim Peterson.”

If you go…

What: Blues on the River, featuring Albert Castigilia with Sean Chambers

When: Today, 7 p.m.

Where: Riverfront Amphitheater

Cost: Free

More info: www.albertcastiglia.com and www.seanchambers.com