Maui Wowie – The Sugar Mill Revisited: The BLUES Live in LA.

It’s been almost two years since I first told you about the Monday night jam at the Maui Sugar Mill in Tarzana, CA. and it is with great pleasure that I tell you all as we start a new year, it’s still going strong without signs of slowing down. Cadillac Zack, President of the Southern California Blues Society has managed to keep his jam going strong every Monday night since at least the first time I told you about it a couple of years ago.

CZ continues to uphold his reputation as one of the top sponsors of blues music and artists in the San Fernando Valley and we here at Ameriblues salute his efforts and will continue to attend as many of his events as we can. The list of top name acts that Zack has managed to bring into the Sugar Mill on Mondays reads like Chef Jimis list of picks to click over at Blues 411.com. Zack and the SCBS send a band to Memphis every year for the IBC. This years winner: Lightning Willie and the Poor Boys will be representing So Cal and we wish ‘em well as we do every artist and band who competes every year. (see interview with Willie below)

Along with the IBC and the Monday night jam, Zack finds time to host the Topanga Blues Festival every year and last year was gracious enough to let me in with my video camera, here’s a little somethin’ somethin’ from that gig:

CZ is doing his part in his own way to make So Cal a better place for blues artists and fans alike. That being said, I can’s sing praises to Zack without mentioning the other blues societies around Southern California who also do their part in their own way to help grow the blues. Gene Carlson and Lorey Maurer at the Los Angeles Blues Society continue to expand and promote the blues by constantly scouting out new venues where local blues bands can show off their skills and by not only making all the arrangements to open the doors to these venues for their monthly jams, they provide contacts for their artists and bands to get paying gigs at many of these same venues.

In addition, Lynn Parker up north a smidge in Santa Clarita and the Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society pay more than their share of ‘blues dues’ by also hosting a handful of blues jams and full on blues productions as well as doing a huge service to our blues community by hosting a ton of charity events. Among these events, the biggest being the annual Music For The Cause event which takes place at the largest American Cancer Society ‘Relay For Life’ in California: ‘The Santa Clarita Relay For Life’ and the annual Santa Clarita Blues Festival which both feature local blues talent while providing huge community and financial support for those in need. (Click the links to read all about it).
While you’re in the north San Fernando Valley on your way back to LA from Santa Clarita, keep your ears open as you pass a place called ‘Silly’s Cocktails’ up in Winnetka, chances are Don Cook will have somethin’ cooking that’ll soothe your inner blues beast. Read about Silly’s and Don right here.
Without folks like Don and Lynn and organizations like the SCVBS our blues brothers and sisters north of LA could be drifting aimlessly and without direction much like they are in Orange County and some points south. Orange County needs a blues society in a big way but so far we haven’t heard of anyone in the uncharted OC even talking about the possibility much less doing anything about it. We’ve seen a couple of encouraging signs on FaceBook and we know the bands are there, and the fans are there, now, somebody really should put ‘em together.
Speaking of points south, (a bit farther south) San Diego has a fine Blues Society but honestly, I don’t hear much from them this far north, I’m hoping to kick that door open and get them some well deserved press. I’ve heard nothing but good things about them and with a little luck I’m hoping to make a connection down there soon. The San Diego Blues Festival returning last year is an indication that the blues are still alive in SD or at least making a comeback. The festival was an ambitious production . San Diego is (and has always been) ripe and ready for the blues, anyone who’s been to the ‘Belly-Up’ when the 44′s were playing will tell you the same.
From the deep South (San Diego) to the great blue north (Santa Barbara) where my friend Leo Schumaker (Host of Leo’s Bluesland on KCSB 91.9 FM) Along with the Santa Barbara Blues Society are also doing their part to promote our beloved genre by sponsoring events like last years Kenny Neal / Kelly’s Lot concert at Warren Hall along with intermittent sponsorship of the International Blues Challenge like last year when they sent Pryor Baird to Memphis for the IBC. (Video below)

In between LA and Santa Barbara you’ll find the upstart Ventura Blues Society where my friend Michael John is making huge efforts to get the blues recognized and properly represented in his region and Ameriblues wish him nothing but success and prosperity in the coming years. Michael sponsors the annual Simi Valley Blues Festival every year at the plush Hummingbird Ranch and he can count me in as a regular attendee as well as counting on my support any way he needs it.
Go East (sort of) from Ventura and you’ll hit Bakersfield and while you’re there you’ll find a blues scene growing faster than Vegas did in the 90′s. My friend and fellow blues lover Kaykay Jagger and Jagger Promotions are making sure the locals are getting their blues fix by sponsoring and promoting blues gigs featuring many of the artists named in this article. Recently, Kaykay has teamed up with Frank Roszak Promotions where she’ll be continuing her role as chief gig booker. Check her out and the next time you’re in town. Look her up, she’ll be easy to find, just listen for the blues, follow your ears and Kaykay will be there.
The blues have always had a place in LA (in my lifetime anyway), from the old days of Babe’s and Ricky’s, Cozy’s and even BB Kings to Harvelles and The legendary MINT on Pico, Molly Malones, The Whisky, The Troubadour or the Roxy and the Pig n’ Whistle and now our own House of Blues on the Sunset Strip. Anyone who says there are no real blues in LA is only showing their ignorance of either the blues, geography or both and has never seen Doug MacLeod play Harvelles in Santa Monica.
Local bands like Chicago transplant Jeff Dale or LA based: 44′s, Ray Bailey, The King Brothers, Paulie Cerra, John Marx, Michael Fell, Los Fabulocos, Dennis Jones, Ron Tanski, Kelly’s Lot, Artwork Jamal, Phil Gates, Don Cook, Toni Dodd, Sherry Pruitt, Kirk Fletcher,The Delgado Brothers, Debbie and Ric Ryder, Gary Allegretto, Michael John, Randy Scott, Francesca Capasso, Wumbloozo, Teresa James, Rod Piazza (in no particular order) and a list as long as my leg of other great bands and players are living, singing proof that the blues not only live in LA but they thrive here.
More evidence that the blues are (in the words of the great Johnny Winter) ‘still alive and well’ all over LA are places like The Arcadia Blues Club [see video below] owned and operated by my friend Bobby Bluehouse who even does his own blues thang on stage when he’s not booking top name acts into his newly refurbished club. Or Mavericks Flat where the great Gregg Wright (former Michael Jackson guitarist) hosts a Wednesday night blues jam every week. Or, Randy Chortkoff over at Delta Groove Productions who’s stable of artists include: Ana Popovic, Elvin Bishop, Candye Kane, Nick Curran, Frank Goldwasser, Bobby Jones, Arthur Adams, Big Pete, Terry Hanck, Al Blake, Los Fabulocos, Tracy Nelson, Finis Tasby and Sugaray Rayford to name just a few, or, Scotty Abeyta at the upstart Rip Cat Records where he’s signed some of LA’s top blues acts including: Gino Matteo, Barry Levenson, Johnny Mastro and the Mama’s Boys, KK Martin, The Blasters, The Mighty Mojo Prophets, Whiteboy James and my pick for 2011 ‘Blues Band of the year’ The 44′s.

Speaking of the 44′s, I can’t think of Johnny Main and the boys without thinking of the Bluesacholics. It was my friend Kate Bolson who turned me on to the Bluesaholics at a 44′s gig YEARS ago and they’ve been a critical cog in the So Cal blues machine longer than that.

If you want to talk ‘traditional blues’ in LA you only have to mention the name George ‘Harmonica’ Smith to any lover of the blues who lived in LA during the late ’70′s to hear stories of Lowel Fulson, Big Mama Thornton, Big Joe Turner, Eddie Vincent, Shaky Jake Harris and so many more great players it should be a crime to say that LA doesn’t know the blues.
We listen to ‘Nothin’ But The Blues’ on the radio in LA with our friend Gary ‘The Wagman’ Wagner Saturdays and Sundays 2-7 on KKJZ 88.1 FM and Ann ‘The Raven’ (who is known to show up at blues jams all over LA) and who’s been spinning the blues from 8-10 PM on the radio on KCSN 88.5 FM since before Anaheim knew what a blues club was.

Gary has a bigger listenership in LA than Long Beach where KKJZ broadcasts from and we’ve been listening to Ann play the blues on the radio on the weekend in Los Angeles for 20 years or more, yet we, as a city remain criticized because we’ve lost a couple of blues clubs. Well, speaking of blues clubs, while some folks are obsessed with the closure of some of the clubs around town, I see the bright side of the issue, like the opening of the brand new Harvelles in Long Beach and the brand new upscale Marquee 15 out yonder in the also uncharted Inland Empire a.k.a. Corona CA. or less recently the HOB Anaheim. The latter is an example that the blues want in everywhere in So Cal, now all we need is someone to let them know they’re welcome. I’ve heard people complain that the HOB’s don’t book enough real blues acts and I agree, they don’t, but could it be they’re booking acts that sell tickets instead of going down in flames trying to be all traditional? I think so.

 I can’t talk about the status of LA radio (above) without mentioning the fact that while I am a blues lover by choice, I am a rocker by birth and have found my radio listening time divided lately ever since my pal Geno Michellini made his So Cal and worldwide comeback to the airwaves via Andrew Stynes Flying Eye Radio Network with his weekly Internet webcast of TurnTable Hits. Truly a refreshing change back to the way FM radio used to be. Geno, creator of the legendary 5 oclock funnies has probably forgotten more about music than most folks will ever know and between his show, and Music Gumbo hosted by Andy Goldfinger, and, Dusty Street (another LA radio icon) with her ‘Fly Low’ weekly program on the same network there are hardly enough hours in the day to listen to it all. Thank goodness that every program I mentioned above (and below) is available on-line at the respective websites and we can all listen to any of them ANY TIME WE WANT.

AND, if it’s blues radio you want I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my friend Greg Lewis WAY out in Hackettstown, New Jersey on Thursday nights with his all blues on-air show (and streaming) Rockit Science on WNTI 91.9 FM and streaming at WNTI.org. Greg spins some of the best blues anywhere as well as bringing some great players of the blues on his show to play live and talk turkey.
When it comes to getting our blues on in LA, I think we’ve got it covered and I think with enough prodding somebody will step up and take the helm in the places that remain unrepresented. There are several shining lights glimmering up from down south and while I’m talking radio I want to give props to my FaceBook compadre and radio DJ Sheldon Abbott who is doing more than his part to spread the love of the blues with his on air and streaming radio show: ‘Cure For The Blues’ on KUCI 88.9 Mondays 10am-Noon broadcasting from The University of California, Irvine. Sheldons show is just one more reason Southern California should be respected for the blues we have and love and not diss’d.
I’m sure with the right organization there’s enough talent behind the Orange Curtain to start a record label! I’ve seen it with my own eyes every time I stray south to the Real Blues Fest of Orange County in Santa Ana hosted every year by my buddy Papa J and Friends. Even moreso when The Mighty Mojo Prophets (2012 BMA nominees) lure me that way, or when Eddie Mariscal throws a gig at the CoachHouse with his buddy bandmate Kim Koch and their band ‘The Guitars’ or when Art Martel’s (Host of:’Straight Up Blues’ on 88.7 FM KSPC) boy and his band Lil ‘A’ and the Allnighters bring their unique jump blues around the I.E. or Blues Bettie show up and blow down the walls at the Anaheim Garden Walk.

(video above filmed at BriXton, Redondo Beach Pier)
There are a couple of other dive bars down Costa Mesa way, the Westside Grill and the Tiki Bar where local blues folks have been staging some top shelf blues shows recently which I would love to hear about BEFORE they happen but without someone to promote them, chances are I won’t.
Redondo Beach has been getting my attention lately too with the string of artists who flock to the pier on the weekends like: Andy Walo, Barry Allen Honig, Leff Rogers, Stanley T Sichel, Shari Puorto, Steve Derryberry, Pat Zicari, Jay Edwards, Ray Yukich, Eric Martinez, Dan Malouin and Curtis Gannon and jam at the Starboard Attitude and do regular blues shows at BriXton and a bit further south in Hermosa Beach at the Lighthouse or Cafe Boogaloo and the Hermosa Saloon. Many of these gigs go relatively un noticed from lack of promotion by the venues and local journalists. In fact, if it weren’t for Al Factormans (Ameriblues So Cal ‘Fan of the Year 2011′ and San Fernando Valley resident) daily facebook updates most of what goes on down south would go completely unreported by anyone. If we want the blues to expand we’ve got to quit complaining about what blues society does what and what blues club closed it’s doors and start trying to bring them together and create new, not drive them apart and destroy what’s been built so far.
Someday everyone will ‘get it’ and we’ll be one big happy blue family, until then, support your local blues scene, keep the music alive, and…thanks for the ride.

Maui Wowie – Sugar Mill Revisited  The Blues Live In LA.

Story and video by:

Casey Reagan /MusicUCanSee

For:

American Blues News

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