Photos from the final RJ Mischo's World Famous Tuesday Night Blues Jam at the Mojo Lounge. The URL is:
http://mrjoe.dyndns.org/gallery/blues2007
Although, RJ has departed the Bay Area for the deep South, the World Famous Tuesday Night Blues Jam at the Mojo Lounge continues under supervision and guidance of Steve Freund and Marcus Carino.
People caught in action are:
RJ Mischo
June Core
Johnny Cat
Marcus Carino
Kid Andersen
Mark Hummel
Sid Morris
RJ Mischo & Amy Lou
Dennis & Heidi
Chris Millar
John Graham
Birdlegg
Steve Gannon
Russell Barber & Johnny Cat
Kid, RJ & Heidi
Melissa, Greg, Heidi & Su
Scott Duncan
Norm Decarlo
Carolyn McNabb & Russell Barber
Screamin' Iain
Christine & Steve
Ruben Johnson
AC Myles
Barrelhouse Solly
Dennis Dove
Scott Miller
Johnny Cat, Double G & Don Yonder
The Lovely Dina
Jimmy Dewrance
Randy Bermudes
Dennis Briggs
Don Yonder
Mike Phillips
The Elecrtifying E-Rock
Plus some other photos:
Artie Chavez & Me
Steve Freund, Marcus Carino, Double G & Johnny Cat
Marcus Carino & Johnny Cat
Friday, February 23, 2007
Saturday, February 10, 2007
http://us.mc568.mail.yahoo.com/mc/welcome?.rand=3a0lr4a68mqcn
I added some photos for the my final 2006 update.
Photos added since the last installment include:
RJ Mischo
Steve Freund, Robi Bean, Tim Wagar
Robi Bean
Steve Edmonson
Rene Solis & Mitch Woods
Stan Erhart
Jimmy Dewrance
Chris Cobb
Kenny Neal
Kenny "Blue" Ray
The URL is: http://mrjoe.dyndns.org/gallery/blues2006
Photos added since the last installment include:
RJ Mischo
Steve Freund, Robi Bean, Tim Wagar
Robi Bean
Steve Edmonson
Rene Solis & Mitch Woods
Stan Erhart
Jimmy Dewrance
Chris Cobb
Kenny Neal
Kenny "Blue" Ray
The URL is: http://mrjoe.dyndns.org/gallery/blues2006
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
RJ Mischo's Final World Famous Tuesday Night Blues Jam Report
Last night was the final installment of RJ Mischo's World Famous Tuesday Night Blues Jam at the Mojo Lounge. It was announced that next week will begin the Steve Freund era. The good times should continue to roll.
I arrived early and the place was already packed with people to wish RJ a fond farewell as he embarks on the next chapter of his life in the sunny South. It was really surreal seeing people that I hadn't seen in quite a while. It's amazing how many people showed up. I wrote a list of the people that I recognized and I know I didn't catch everyone, because people were coming and going all night long.
Here is who I saw and remembered when I started writing down names:
Steve Ahola, Amy Lou, Kid Andersen and his lovely wife, Barrelhouse Solly, Russell Barber, Randy Bermudes, Birdlegg, Dennis Briggs, Marcus Carino, Johnny Cat, Christine Christian and her wonderful spouse Steve, June Core, Derek Craig, Arthur Daugherty, Norm Decarlo, Jimmy Dewrance, Dick (aka Earl Smith, the harp player), Dennis Dove, Scott Duncan, East Bay Wes, Eric (the keyboard player), E-Rock, Ray Figueroa, Steve Gannon, John Graham, Double G (Greg Greenspan), Walter Hern, Lou Holscher, Mark Hummel, Mark Irwin, Ruben Johnson, Carolyn McNabb, AC Miles, Chris Millar, Scott Miller, Sid Morris, Robin Overton, Mike Phillips, Kedar Roy, Screamin' Ian, Bart Shea, Tom (from the Buzzy Dupree Band), Kevin Walker, Su Wong and Don Yonders.
I know I missed people and there were a bunch of people that I had never met before or didn't recognize. With the number of performers in the room, it was guaranteed that the music would be good. It was obvious early on that there would be no way on Earth that even RJ with his masterful organization skills would get everyone up to play, but he came pretty damn close.
The list of people to jam was over two pages long. The look on the faces of the newcomers was pretty priceless.
The tone of the evening was sort of melancholy. It was pretty exciting to see everyone. People travelled in from Sacramento and Fresno to be there, but the reason we were all brought together was sort of sad. Tears started to flow as the evening drew to a close.
If you missed seeing RJ on last night, he will be performing with Steve Freund on Friday night at the Mojo Lounge. It will be his last Bay Area performance until the end of April, so don't miss it.
Photos will follow...
I arrived early and the place was already packed with people to wish RJ a fond farewell as he embarks on the next chapter of his life in the sunny South. It was really surreal seeing people that I hadn't seen in quite a while. It's amazing how many people showed up. I wrote a list of the people that I recognized and I know I didn't catch everyone, because people were coming and going all night long.
Here is who I saw and remembered when I started writing down names:
Steve Ahola, Amy Lou, Kid Andersen and his lovely wife, Barrelhouse Solly, Russell Barber, Randy Bermudes, Birdlegg, Dennis Briggs, Marcus Carino, Johnny Cat, Christine Christian and her wonderful spouse Steve, June Core, Derek Craig, Arthur Daugherty, Norm Decarlo, Jimmy Dewrance, Dick (aka Earl Smith, the harp player), Dennis Dove, Scott Duncan, East Bay Wes, Eric (the keyboard player), E-Rock, Ray Figueroa, Steve Gannon, John Graham, Double G (Greg Greenspan), Walter Hern, Lou Holscher, Mark Hummel, Mark Irwin, Ruben Johnson, Carolyn McNabb, AC Miles, Chris Millar, Scott Miller, Sid Morris, Robin Overton, Mike Phillips, Kedar Roy, Screamin' Ian, Bart Shea, Tom (from the Buzzy Dupree Band), Kevin Walker, Su Wong and Don Yonders.
I know I missed people and there were a bunch of people that I had never met before or didn't recognize. With the number of performers in the room, it was guaranteed that the music would be good. It was obvious early on that there would be no way on Earth that even RJ with his masterful organization skills would get everyone up to play, but he came pretty damn close.
The list of people to jam was over two pages long. The look on the faces of the newcomers was pretty priceless.
The tone of the evening was sort of melancholy. It was pretty exciting to see everyone. People travelled in from Sacramento and Fresno to be there, but the reason we were all brought together was sort of sad. Tears started to flow as the evening drew to a close.
If you missed seeing RJ on last night, he will be performing with Steve Freund on Friday night at the Mojo Lounge. It will be his last Bay Area performance until the end of April, so don't miss it.
Photos will follow...
Sunday, January 28, 2007
This Week's Report
It was a very nice week. Tuesday night, I hit the World Famous Tuesday Night Blues Jam[TM"> at the Mojo Lounge hosted by RJ Mischo featuriing Steve Freund, Marc Carino and June Core. The first set by these guys was phenomenal featuring nothing but old school Blues.
To paraphrase a good friend of mine, I like Blues the old fashioned way and they do it the old fashioned way.
The past few weeks have featured a number of great guests that have been checking in to bid a fond farewell to RJ before he departs the Bay Area. This Tuesday should also be a good time. Come on down and celebrate RJ's final Tuesday night hoedown at the Mojo Lounge.
Friday night, I headed down to the Poor House Bistro to catch the sweet guitar stylings of the fabulous Steve Freund and his excellent trio consisting of Steve, Robi Bean and Randy Bermudes.
About a half of the people in the audience were musicians or hard core blues fanatic types. Steve and the boys sounded fantastic and Steve brought a number of great guests up to perform including: Suzy Tyler, Paul Durkett and Jimmy Dewrance. There were a number of guitar players lurking in the shadows as Steve put on a free guitar clinic. It was a really fun evening and the fine staff at the Poor House Bistro make a person feel at home.
To paraphrase a good friend of mine, I like Blues the old fashioned way and they do it the old fashioned way.
The past few weeks have featured a number of great guests that have been checking in to bid a fond farewell to RJ before he departs the Bay Area. This Tuesday should also be a good time. Come on down and celebrate RJ's final Tuesday night hoedown at the Mojo Lounge.
Friday night, I headed down to the Poor House Bistro to catch the sweet guitar stylings of the fabulous Steve Freund and his excellent trio consisting of Steve, Robi Bean and Randy Bermudes.
About a half of the people in the audience were musicians or hard core blues fanatic types. Steve and the boys sounded fantastic and Steve brought a number of great guests up to perform including: Suzy Tyler, Paul Durkett and Jimmy Dewrance. There were a number of guitar players lurking in the shadows as Steve put on a free guitar clinic. It was a really fun evening and the fine staff at the Poor House Bistro make a person feel at home.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Final Mojo Lounge Jam Report of 2006
Last night at the Mojo Lounge was the final Tuesday night celebration of the World Famous Tuesday Night Blues Jam for 2006. RJ was still in absentia. Steve Freund with his fabulous trio was in the packed house to ensure high quality entertainment for everyone's drinking and dancing pleasure. The state of the art dance floor was full for much of the evening as Steve, Marcus Carino and Robi Bean provided nothing but the low down Blues from Chicago and all points South.
The number of guests were small, but the quality of entertainment was high. People gracing the stage during the course of the evening were Don Yonders, Barrelhouse Solly, Scott Miller, Mark Irwin, John Graham, E-Rock, East Bay Wes, Junior Morrow and me.
It was an enjoyable experience and a fabulous way to end 2006. Just before the Mojo Lounge started featuring Blues music in 2004, I ran into RJ who was living in Fremont at the time. RJ and I had met several years earlier, when I was shooting photos for the fine folks at Mountain Top Productions. He mentioned that he was going to start up a Blues jam at the Mojo Lounge. He was hoping to move some of the Bay Area Blues scene to Fremont. In almost three years, RJ and the Mojo Lounge has created a fantastic jam which has spread via word of mouth around the globe. People have dropped in from all over the world. The only thing they have in common is love for the music. I think that RJ, his substitute hosts and the Mojo Lounge have been in achieving that goal.
This year I had the opportunity to play music with some fabulous artists and performers down at the Mojo Lounge during the Tuesday night jam including:
Kid Anderson, Amy Lou, Eddie B, Barrelhouse Solly, Robi Bean, Phil Berkowitz, Randy Bermudes, Birdlegg, Hans Bosse, Chris Brown, Marcus Carino, Johnny Cat, Artie Chavez, June Core, Little Junior Crudup, JB Davis, Norm Decarlo, Wendy Dewitt, Marty Dodson, Dennis Dove, Double G, East Bay Wes, Ray Figueroa, Steve Freund, John Graham, Jon Lawton, RJ Mischo, Scott Miller, Junior Morrow, John Nemeth, Mike Phillips, Pork Pie Phillips, Kenny Blue Ray, James Reed, Freddie Roulette, Kedar Roy, Mike Schermer, Bob Welsh and Don Yonders. I know there are a bunch of people that I've forgotten to add to the list. I am sorry if I forgot anyone.
When you add this list to the people from 2004 and 2005, it's pretty impressive. No matter how good or bad the results may have been, most of the people have been extremely cool and very supportive. It's made me really glad that I got suckered into playing again after a really long hiatus.
It's positively unique and it's been a great deal of fun.
The number of guests were small, but the quality of entertainment was high. People gracing the stage during the course of the evening were Don Yonders, Barrelhouse Solly, Scott Miller, Mark Irwin, John Graham, E-Rock, East Bay Wes, Junior Morrow and me.
It was an enjoyable experience and a fabulous way to end 2006. Just before the Mojo Lounge started featuring Blues music in 2004, I ran into RJ who was living in Fremont at the time. RJ and I had met several years earlier, when I was shooting photos for the fine folks at Mountain Top Productions. He mentioned that he was going to start up a Blues jam at the Mojo Lounge. He was hoping to move some of the Bay Area Blues scene to Fremont. In almost three years, RJ and the Mojo Lounge has created a fantastic jam which has spread via word of mouth around the globe. People have dropped in from all over the world. The only thing they have in common is love for the music. I think that RJ, his substitute hosts and the Mojo Lounge have been in achieving that goal.
This year I had the opportunity to play music with some fabulous artists and performers down at the Mojo Lounge during the Tuesday night jam including:
Kid Anderson, Amy Lou, Eddie B, Barrelhouse Solly, Robi Bean, Phil Berkowitz, Randy Bermudes, Birdlegg, Hans Bosse, Chris Brown, Marcus Carino, Johnny Cat, Artie Chavez, June Core, Little Junior Crudup, JB Davis, Norm Decarlo, Wendy Dewitt, Marty Dodson, Dennis Dove, Double G, East Bay Wes, Ray Figueroa, Steve Freund, John Graham, Jon Lawton, RJ Mischo, Scott Miller, Junior Morrow, John Nemeth, Mike Phillips, Pork Pie Phillips, Kenny Blue Ray, James Reed, Freddie Roulette, Kedar Roy, Mike Schermer, Bob Welsh and Don Yonders. I know there are a bunch of people that I've forgotten to add to the list. I am sorry if I forgot anyone.
When you add this list to the people from 2004 and 2005, it's pretty impressive. No matter how good or bad the results may have been, most of the people have been extremely cool and very supportive. It's made me really glad that I got suckered into playing again after a really long hiatus.
It's positively unique and it's been a great deal of fun.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Robert Lockwood Junior
Robert Lockwood Jr.
Robert Jr passed away. Robert Jr was a true innovator. His impact on Blues and popular music may never be truly measured. He was one of
the most amazing and innovative Blues men of modern time. His impact of modern day Blues goes unnoticed. He style was subtle and laid the foundation for the generation that followed.
He was in Arkansas and was an influence on BB King. He was in Chicago during the time that the post war style was being defined. He and Louis Myers set the standard on how to back harmonica players. He was an integral part of Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson's classic Chess recordings.
He had several classic recordings of his own. He was an influence on a multitude of guitar players. He combined great tone and technique. He wasn't an in-your-face flashy kind of guy like many current crop of rock-influenced guitar players. He was simply great!
I consider myself fortunate to have seen him several times. The first time was in Chicago. He was playing his 12 string electric and was being backed by the Aces. Louis Myers, Dave Myers and Fred Below. It was an awesome evening of music. The interplay between Robert Jr and Louis was nothing short of incredible.
Another time that stood out was at the old Yoshi's in Oakland. He was billed on the show with Jimmy Rogers. He ended up playing a solo set of old time Blues. He mixed in some Robert Johnson material with some of his own classic recordings. I thought it was amazing how one guy could captivate an audience and steal the show. It was a fabulous evening of music that touched the sould and could best be described as intimate.
Several years ago, the Chicago Blues Festival featured members of the blues community that were born in 1915. There were still a few people around from that time. Sadly, there aren't many people left from his generation. Honeyboy Edwards, Pinetop Perkins and Homesick James may be the only ones left.
It's likely that he will never receive the credit or recognition that he is due. While I have a great deal of respect of Robert Johnson, I find it sad that his short period of time with the legend eclipsed an amazing, powerful and influential career. Robert Jr was one of the greatest guitar players that I've ever seen.
Thursday, November 9, 2006
The Good Old Days
During the past several months, some fabulous talent has left us. Snooky Pryor, Johnny Dollar, Bonnie Lee, Willie Kent and other fabulous performers that I was fortunate to see during the 1980's. I was reminiscing some friends of mins about some of the old shows.
Here are some brief excerpts:
First Exposure: My first exposure to Blues was around 1980 or 1981. The University of Illinois in Chicago ran a blues series. Each week for ten weeks, they featured a different local band. Up to that point, I thought Blues was 50's music, i.e. oldies. One of the bands that performed was Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues feauturing Lurrie Bell. That band was a bunch of young guys playing some really, really tough music.
The next week was Eddie Clearwater. He walked out on stage with that big Indian headdress and played some vicious West side Chicago Blues. I think Koko Taylor and Son Seals did shows there, too. Later that summer, I hit Chicagofest and saw performances by Eddie Taylor, Luther Allison and Muddy Waters. I don't think that I've listened to much popular music since.
The Bar Scene: I didn't start going to bars until around 1982. I started seeing some amazing performers. Some like Sunnyland Slim, James Cotton and Junior Wells were well known. Other fantastic artists like: Valerie Wellington, Robert Covington, Johnny Dollar and Lefty Dizz didn't achieve the recognition they were due, but they were monster talents.
Hubert Sumlin: Back in the mid 80's, he used to work at the Kingston Mines with Chico Chism almost every week. Looking back on those days, I sort of took those guys for granted. Those were some great shows. Everyone knows about his great work with Howlin' Wolf.
His work with Howlin' Wolf was breathtaking. His recordings with Sunnyland Slim and Little Mac Simmons are incredible. His work under his own name is great, too. Hubert Sumlin is one of those guys whose influence on American music is under appreciated and under recognized.
James Cotton: During the mid 80's, James Cotton played at Biddy Mulligan's and around the city with his big band featuring Michael Coleman and a full horn section. Those performance were legendary and one of them was captured by Alligator Records.
James Cotton also used to pull together a really cool show on Christmas day at Wise Fool's Pub. He teaming up with Pinetop Perkins, Calvin Jones, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Sammy Lawhorn. That was a seriously bad ass line up and a great Christmas gift to the Blues community.
Mighty Joe Young: It was a weird night. I went with one of my co-workers. He was married with three kids. We were meeting his parents there. I arrived late and met up with them. When I arrived, my friend was there with his parents. He had also brought a date. It was odd considering he was married and hanging out with his parents.
Mighty Joe Young put on a show that was simply blistering. He was hot! In the audience was the legendary piano player, Little Brother Montgomery. He was elderly and very frail. He was assisted to the stage. Little Brother Montgomery played some great stuff. He was joined by a jazz harp player named Howard Levy.
Blue Chicago: Back 20 years ago, the first Blue Chicago club was on State Street. That club was my introduction to the vocal talents of the fabulous Barkin' Bill Smith. I can't remember who was playing guitar with him that night. I think it was either a very young Dave Specter or the infamous multi-talented Dave Clark. Little Richie Yescalis was playing the bass. He was one of the first people that I met on the Blues scene.
My last trip: My last trip to Chicago was a crazy one. My wife and I went to Artis's. Artis's is the home base for Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues. They have been holding down Monday nights there for well over 20 years. It's the longest running regular blues gig in Chicago.
Billy is one of (if not the) baddest harp player around. He's got a killer band. My last trip, he had a bunch of great guests sitting in that would have made a lineup for one helluva Blues festival including: Phil Guy, Tre', Ronnie Brooks, Russ Green and a couple of great local singers in the Tyrone Davis, Bobby Bland styles. The place was packed and they had a great turnout.
The people in the bar were really nice. They made us feel like we were at home. The bartenders were awesome. They made some killer mixed drinks and were very friendly.
The great JW Williams and the Chi-Town Hustlers were holding down Sunday nights for a long time. Now, Tre' & the Blue Nights are there. Tre' is a bad ass guitar player. His CD on Wolf Records is a really good one. He's also the son of the great L.V. Banks, who is an absolutely fabulous guitarist and singer.
That's more than enough for now.
Here are some brief excerpts:
First Exposure: My first exposure to Blues was around 1980 or 1981. The University of Illinois in Chicago ran a blues series. Each week for ten weeks, they featured a different local band. Up to that point, I thought Blues was 50's music, i.e. oldies. One of the bands that performed was Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues feauturing Lurrie Bell. That band was a bunch of young guys playing some really, really tough music.
The next week was Eddie Clearwater. He walked out on stage with that big Indian headdress and played some vicious West side Chicago Blues. I think Koko Taylor and Son Seals did shows there, too. Later that summer, I hit Chicagofest and saw performances by Eddie Taylor, Luther Allison and Muddy Waters. I don't think that I've listened to much popular music since.
The Bar Scene: I didn't start going to bars until around 1982. I started seeing some amazing performers. Some like Sunnyland Slim, James Cotton and Junior Wells were well known. Other fantastic artists like: Valerie Wellington, Robert Covington, Johnny Dollar and Lefty Dizz didn't achieve the recognition they were due, but they were monster talents.
Hubert Sumlin: Back in the mid 80's, he used to work at the Kingston Mines with Chico Chism almost every week. Looking back on those days, I sort of took those guys for granted. Those were some great shows. Everyone knows about his great work with Howlin' Wolf.
His work with Howlin' Wolf was breathtaking. His recordings with Sunnyland Slim and Little Mac Simmons are incredible. His work under his own name is great, too. Hubert Sumlin is one of those guys whose influence on American music is under appreciated and under recognized.
James Cotton: During the mid 80's, James Cotton played at Biddy Mulligan's and around the city with his big band featuring Michael Coleman and a full horn section. Those performance were legendary and one of them was captured by Alligator Records.
James Cotton also used to pull together a really cool show on Christmas day at Wise Fool's Pub. He teaming up with Pinetop Perkins, Calvin Jones, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Sammy Lawhorn. That was a seriously bad ass line up and a great Christmas gift to the Blues community.
Mighty Joe Young: It was a weird night. I went with one of my co-workers. He was married with three kids. We were meeting his parents there. I arrived late and met up with them. When I arrived, my friend was there with his parents. He had also brought a date. It was odd considering he was married and hanging out with his parents.
Mighty Joe Young put on a show that was simply blistering. He was hot! In the audience was the legendary piano player, Little Brother Montgomery. He was elderly and very frail. He was assisted to the stage. Little Brother Montgomery played some great stuff. He was joined by a jazz harp player named Howard Levy.
Blue Chicago: Back 20 years ago, the first Blue Chicago club was on State Street. That club was my introduction to the vocal talents of the fabulous Barkin' Bill Smith. I can't remember who was playing guitar with him that night. I think it was either a very young Dave Specter or the infamous multi-talented Dave Clark. Little Richie Yescalis was playing the bass. He was one of the first people that I met on the Blues scene.
My last trip: My last trip to Chicago was a crazy one. My wife and I went to Artis's. Artis's is the home base for Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues. They have been holding down Monday nights there for well over 20 years. It's the longest running regular blues gig in Chicago.
Billy is one of (if not the) baddest harp player around. He's got a killer band. My last trip, he had a bunch of great guests sitting in that would have made a lineup for one helluva Blues festival including: Phil Guy, Tre', Ronnie Brooks, Russ Green and a couple of great local singers in the Tyrone Davis, Bobby Bland styles. The place was packed and they had a great turnout.
The people in the bar were really nice. They made us feel like we were at home. The bartenders were awesome. They made some killer mixed drinks and were very friendly.
The great JW Williams and the Chi-Town Hustlers were holding down Sunday nights for a long time. Now, Tre' & the Blue Nights are there. Tre' is a bad ass guitar player. His CD on Wolf Records is a really good one. He's also the son of the great L.V. Banks, who is an absolutely fabulous guitarist and singer.
That's more than enough for now.
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