Wednesday, December 31, 2008

3...2...1...

New Year's Eve! 
Again!

What happened that I can reflect on??

What about next year?
What are my hopes and dreams?

One thing I know...
I will be at Harvelle's when the clock strikes 12.
James Torme will be ushering in the new year and backing him will be Ryan Cross, Brandon Coleman and Gene Coye. If you're unfamiliar with this trio, let me introduce you. Bass, Keys and Drums, respectively, these guys are what's happening in modern jazz. 

Special guests always appear. 

Here's my summation:
2008 was great,
but 2009  will be fine.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Bongo Fury : The Pre-New Years Eve








Shhhhhhhhhhh.... it's Bongo Fury. 

The city's coolest secret burlesque night, featuring the live afro-cuban samba of the city's coolest 4 piece group, led by the incomparable Mr. Walter Davis (sax, flute) with Victor Orlando (bongos/congas), Asa Watkins (drums) and Bjørn Fleuren (bass).

The night's secret lies in the ultimate beauty of the 2 featured dancers. With a wealth of L.A.'s best of the best dancers in his Rolodex™ the night's dancers always rate "10"s all around. Breathtakingly beautiful, scantily clad, shaking, jiggling, writhing on the floor, these women are from all over the world, but now they're here.

In between sets DJ Daylight spins soulful wax and Brazilian beats.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Kevin Moore : Monday : Invitational Jam

Monday nights at Harvelle's have been drawing increasingly larger crowds due to the December residency of Kevin Moore, a skilled singer/songwriter and a legendary blues man. His guitar skills are impressive, his voice is a beehive full of compacted soul, dripping with honey. This last week his impressive 3 piece band backed him rock solidly as he engaged the crowd with versions of "Born Under A Bad Sign", "Love And Happiness", "If You Want Me To Stay", "I've Been Loving You Too Long" and surprisingly, a version of Steely Dan's "Black Cow"! Just awesome.
He had guest vocalist Gavin Christopher (above) working it out as well, joining in on a slow soul version of "Love The One You're With", and a couple of other songs. Maybe most notably, Kevin proved his quiet guitar flash performing an extended solo with the gravitas of Jimmy Page. Versatility, musicianship, and the chops of a seasoned entertainer, Kevin's doing something right!



Monday night packed house. Onstage - Kevin Moore and Gavin Christopher.


Sunday, December 28, 2008

The Toledo Show : Liver Than You'll Ever Be!

Note to self : 
Toledo Show. 
9pm. Harvelle's. 
Downtown Santa Monica.

New Years Eve : Cross/Coleman/Coye

New Year's Eve at Harvelle's is fast approaching. The soul-crossed funk of Ryan Cross, Brandon Coleman and Gene Coye is guaranteed to move the crowd and induce much partying, imbibing, blowing of noise-makers and general New Year's Eve festivities! It's a once in a lifetime chance to usher in the penultimate New Years Eve of the decade with Ryan Cross and Co.

The trio always bring along some of the most talented vocalists and musicians around. New Year's Eve will feature the sweet soul croon of James Tormé.