PORTLAND — Sugar Blue — the same harmonica master blazing through The Rolling Stones’ song “Miss You” — is still on fire. And this blues artist couldn’t be busier or happier these days.

Recently married to his bass player, traveling constantly for personal pleasure and professional performances, Blue can’t even bring himself to say the “r” word.

“I’ll play until I can’t play no more. Some people look forward to that time, you know what I mean — I don’t even want to say the word. I look forward to another show,” said Blue. “I started because I love music and I keep playing because I still love music. The only thing I’ll ever retire is my car.”

Despite the background din of rabid soccer fans in an Italian pub during a recent phone interview, Blue took time to share his vast career experiences, his life philosophies and some general chit-chat.

“Man, they love their soccer here,” said Blue, who was in Italy visiting his new bride’s family.

Returning to the States this week for a grueling tour schedule, Blue will make a stop at the Big Easy to perform as part of the club’s Sunday Evening Blues Series.

“I know some really wonderful folks in Maine,” said Blue, who has rocked out with The Rolling Stones for a sold-out and overflowing 90,000 capacity crowd at Wembley Stadium. “It’s not where you are, it’s who you are. Playing in a big place — that’s a great thing for making money. But the music gets lost in the vastness. The closer you are to the people you’re playing for, the better it is. Intimacy is a wonderful thing. That’s where life is made.”

Blue chuckled easily after realizing his spontaneous double-entendre. But blues is a music genre full of coded messages, metaphors and irony. Renowned for his harp artistry, Blue has also proven himself a strong songwriter with the 2007 “Code Blue” album released on Beeble Music and a powerful vocalist with the 2010 “Threshold” CD also released on the Beeble label.

“The harmonica is one of my voices,” said Blue. “I’m also a singer. That’s another voice. I’ve been writing songs since I was a kid, but I just never got to do much of my own music. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve had more opportunities to get my own music out there.”

Besides his stint with The Rolling Stones, Blue has had a packed career as a stage side man and session musician with legends like Willie Dixon, Lionel Hampton, Frank Zappa, Muddy Waters and Bob Dylan.

“I’ve had a lot of great moments in my career,” said Blue. “I got to play with Ray Charles. That was a great moment for me.”

When asked what he brings to the mix, Blue answered simply, “I bring me. I have joy for playing and I try to play with people who share that same joy and who I enjoy playing with.”

On the last two albums, and touring together currently, Blue and his band take the spotlight and shine it on Blue’s own music. Guitarist Rico McFarland, percussionist James Knowles, keyboardist Damiano Della Tone and bass player Ilaria Lantieri (Mrs. Blue) will join Blue in Portland.

And Blue will play from his heart with all his heart — and breath. “Tell them to bring their dancing shoes,” he said. “And be ready to party.”

WHO: Sugar Blue

WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday, April 15

WHERE: Big Easy, 55 Market St., Portland

TICKETS: $20 at the door for ages 21 and older