Tag Archives: Gaslamp

Blues Calendar: Dec 16th – 22nd

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Blues Calendar - Dec 16

We have another full week of live music around the downtown area.  There are jams on Monday (at SpeakEasy), Tuesday (at Patrick’s), Wednesday (at House of Blues 7-11p that isn’t on the calendar since they don’t offer $1 discount) and Thursday (at Spaghetteria).

Also this Friday at House of Blues is a special holiday event.  CeeCee James and Michele Lundeen will be playing on the free house stage (7-11p).  There is no cover.  All they ask is that you bring a toy for Toys for Tots.  Michele will also be in the Gaslamp SpeakEasy on Saturday, which is a treat for all of us who love her raw blues voice.

Please tip the bands.  There is no cover at most of the venues, so tips matter!  Thanks.

Lance Dieckmann Band at Jimmy Love’s

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It was a slow Sunday night around the Gaslamp, but Lance Dieckmann and Phil Diiorio with their band had a good groove going at Jimmy Love’s.  If you haven’t heard Lance play the harmonica or heard him sing, you are in for a treat with this video.  He’s one of the best harp players in the area and has a powerful voice.

In this next video I took, Phil Diiorio is singing one of my favorite Robert Cray cover songs, Right Next Door, with Lance on harp, Bob Prater on bass and Becky Russell on drums.  The stage lighting at Jimmy Love’s shines a red light where Phil is standing, which I wish they would change – its a distraction even when you are there, and I can’t edit it out.  Urg…

Teens Sound Like Seasoned Players at Youth Blues Jam

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I always enjoy coming out to hear the kids who show up at the monthly Youth Blues Jam at the SpeakEasy, which is open to people under 22 years old.  But they don’t sound like kids.  These teens are really good musicians, and they have embraced the blues.  The 3 guitarists, who often play together, will switch roles between the lead, rhythm and bass guitars, as they did today.

This first video has Leilani Kilgore (who just turned 17) playing guitar and singing, while Chase Walker (who is 15 and has his own band) played guitar, Tyler Ray Davidson (18) was on bass and Nate Hess (14) was on drums.

Next, check out Tyler Ray when he takes over the lead and Leilani switches to the bass guitar.  I still find it hard to believe these are teens.

They welcome any one who fits the age limit and wants to play with them on the first Saturday of the month (this month was an exception) from 2-5pm at the SpeakEasy.

Whitney Shay Quartet Jazzes Up SpeakEasy

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The lovely Whitney Shay was at the SpeakEasy last night singing with her jazz quartet.  Many blues musicians also do jazz, and Whitney (as well as some of her band members) is one of them.  Her quartet includes Michael Peed on piano, Jodie Hill on bass, and Marley Waak on the drums.  Enjoy Whitney’s beautiful voice!

Last Gig at Croce’s in the Gaslamp

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Last night was the last evening Fuzzy Rankins and his band played at Croce’s before they move.  They have been playing there for many years, so I wanted to catch their last evening in this location.  I’m so glad I did.  A couple of musicians showed up, who ended up playing with Fuzzy, which added to the night.

One of the highlights was when TC Tye took over the keys and sang one of Jim Croce’s hit cover songs, You Don’t Mess Around With Jim.  It was a fitting tribute for the evening.

Fuzzy and his band (with Bruce Hutherson on drums, Cecil McBee on bass and Hindy Bare on keyboards) played a night full of blues, including that great BB King cover song, The Thrill is Gone.

And at one point Alvin Dawkins took over the bass from Cecil, and they played this next song, where Alvin and Hindy both did solos.

Walter Gentry Gives a Solo Sax Performance

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You don’t see Walter Gentry play his sax solo too often, so I was lucky to catch him perform last evening at his Chicken Wings Jam at Patrick’s Pub.  The audio on this video doesn’t do him justice.  He plays beautifully, as he did last night with his smooth and fluid notes.

Old School Blues Jam at SpeakEasy got Jammin!!

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I also stopped in at the Old School Blues Jam at the SpeakEasy, which is hosted on Monday nights by Fuzzy Rankins.  He had his house bass player, Bob Prater, and his drummer, Bruce Hutherson, there as he usually does at the jam.  And last night, Patrick Jarrell came in with his guitar to play with the guys.  There was also a sax player I’ve seen before who joined in, but I didn’t get his name.

 

Walter Gentry and the G-Men’s R&B

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Local sax player, Walter Gentry and his G-Men band play Rhythm & Blues, Soul and little bit of rock on Monday nights at Patrick’s Gaslamp Pub.  I was there last night catching them perform the cover song so many of us know: Superstition.

Francious Simms has a great voice for this song, and he’s supported by Johnny Vernazza on guitar, Walter on sax (hard to see him with the lighting), Larry Morgan on bass (also a bit too dark to really see) and Leon Wesley on drums.