Blues And Burlesque : A Monster Combo

Blues and burlesque seem like a perfect combo. Especially dirty, grimy blues. Fucked up blues. Deranged bluesmen pumping three chords louder and louder, twin guitars dueling while the harp player blows like a hurricane and a singer in a red three-piece suit bellows through a homemade bullhorn, which only serves to distort and fuck things up further. Molly, a burlesque dancer of some note and a Toledo Show "Dame", threw herself around like a voluptuous rag doll, psychotically blazing a sexy scene to the delight of both the boys in the band and the folks on the floor. Take a look for yourself:


The Band is 'Smokehouse' Brown (guitar), 'Pink' Arguello (vocals), Henry Carvajal (guitar), Tom Fillman (drums), Johnny Mastro (harmonica) and Bobby Tsukamoto (bass).

LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE : Comes To Harvelle's

The current issue of Los Angeles Magazine ("Classic L.A." issue) features a glowing review of my favorite Westside bar. If you read this blog, then you are already aware of Harvelle's. 

If not, check out the write-up, and if it sounds good to you, come pay a visit.  

Besides the decor and the speakeasy vibe, besides the custom cocktails and authentic nightly blues & jazz, there's always plenty of parking in the structure adjacent to the club and there's a spot next door (West 4th/Jane) that serves great food (you can order and have it delivered to the bar) until about midnight. If you love live music, enjoy a night out dancing, or imbibing with like-minded people over delicious one-of-a-kind cocktails, check out Harvelle's (1432 4th St. between Broadway & Santa Monica Blvd. in downtown Santa Monica) [Harvelle's Santa Monica]

Some other things you may not be aware of:

Harlow Gold - the spectacular underground burlesque revue that consistently sells out (It's the last 2 Thursdays of each month - reservations are highly suggested.) [Reservations link]

There's Westside Wednesdays - local Venice collective House Of Vibe All Stars mid-week massive that combines live hip-hop, reggae, jazz, funk and r&b played by some of the industry's most in-demand musicians. [House Of Vibe All-Stars]

Every Monday night is Ultralove - infamous local singer/songwriter who's faithful fan base makes a ritual of kicking the week off with a dose of the band's illest medicine. [Ultralove]

And there's The Toledo Show.

The longest running show of it's kind, having just celebrated it's 10 year anniversary at Harvelle's, it's a wild burlesque road trip to hell and back. The must-see spectacle is a Westside institution and you really should be indoctrinated. Every Sunday night, the tall, dark and handsome Toledo Diamond mounts his Show - his gravely baritone tells erotic stories of hard living in the back alleys of this grimy urban metropolis, while the impossibly funky band jams tirelessly. A bevy of dancing "Dames" gyrate electrically throughout the evening, enticing you with their bouncy bodices, ripped stockings, red lips and high heels. They're a thing of beauty. [The Toledo Show]

Last year, the up and coming Vintage Trouble left their sold-out year long Tuesday night residency at the club to launch their first European tour. They've been back twice since and are currently in Australia playing sold-out stadiums and festivals. They will be back in Europe this summer touring with Lenny Kravitz. Congrats to VT for being the next big thing. It's completely deserved. [Vintage Trouble]

Additionally, there is now a second Harvelle's in Long Beach.

Larger in size with the same attention to the light and sound systems, the venue is garnering accolades and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The bluegrass/ragtime of Capt Jeffrey & His Musical Chumbuckets have been packing 'em in on Sunday nights (Phil Alvin of The Blasters has stopped by and sat in a couple of times). The very cool The Vespertines take over on Monday nights. And on Feb 4, Sheila E. will be bringing her family (Pete, Juan, and Peter Michael Escovedo) for what promises to be an exciting night of incredible latin flavored funk!! That's what the Escovedos do!! The club is located at 201 E. BROADWAY beneath The Congregation Ale House. [Harvelle's Long Beach]

Labor Day Weekend at Harvelle's

Café R & B : MORE ROACH!!

Café R&B are one of the greatest bands to ever play Harvelle's. The lead singer - Roach - is an amazing (more than amazing really) singer. She is really something to see!! I know that her and husband/lead guitarist Byl are avid readers of this blog. (Hey!) Here's a few more shots I took the other night that I wanted to share with everyone.

all photos taken with the Hipstamatic™ app for the iPhone

Sometimes, The Blues Is All There Is...

She's going out of town for a couple of days...

That's how it begins.

So we're gonna have a good time before she gets on that airplane. The soundtrack? The harmonica blues of Gary Allegretto. Blues can be lonely, especially the train-like wail of the harmonica, but in the right hands, it also can make you want to drink and dance and smile. Mr. Allegretto has those hands. Check 'em out on MySpace.

Friday night... we celebrate.

We party and imbibe and have fun.

Then I'll put her in a taxi, she'll catch the red-eye, and I'll hang some more and stay out until it's late enough to go home.

J.T. ROSS : LIVE BLUES DANCE PARTY!

Harvelle’s - Home Of The Blues since 1931 

Proudly presents 

J.T. Ross - The Harmonica Boss 

Most notable of Harvelle's regulars include: Bob Dylan and Jim Morrison. Grammy winner Kevin Moore (aka Keb Mo) was discovered by Sony music at Harvelle's. Friday August 7th will be no exception to the history and greatness which lives in the walls of Harvelle's.

J.T. Ross' band consists of the finest Blues & Roots musicians in Los Angeles. Rick Holmstrom - (Guitar & Vocals) Has been touring and recording with the "Queen Of Gospel" Mavis Staples since 2005 and just wrapped a world tour playing guitar in Booker T's band. Bill Stuve - (Double Bass & Vocals) Is a founding member of Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers and has a discography which reads like a who's who of the blues hierarchy. Jerry Angel - (Drums) Has banged with the best of em' . . . Koko Taylor, The Blasters, Coco Montoya, Brian Setzer, and countless top notch musical stars.

21 & Over – $10.00 – Full Bar – Dancing

JT Ross : A personal note for Blues fiends

Hey EVERYBODY - Spotlight on the BLUES ! ! ! ..I've got an all star line up planned for my next JOOK NITE at W/LA's oldest live music venue Harvelle's est. 1931.....Back home for a short break from his year round world tour with the Queen of Gospel "Mavis Staples" - is my buddy Rick "LA Homes" Holmstrom on Guitar. ....On Upright Fiddle Bass is John Bazz - founding member (and still touring) of the Blasters !....My drummer Jerry Angel's bio is a who's who of musical styles. . . Carole King, Glen Campbell, Brian Setzer, Dwight Yoakam, The Divinyls, Leon Russell, The Blasters, Dave Alvin (solo), Phil Alvin (solo), The Dickies, The Weirdos, Koko Taylor, Pee Wee Crayton, Big Joe Turner and many more.....I really need your support on this one.....

Cheers,

JT Ross