An Awesome Night @ Bongo Fury

There's something very cool about being out on a Tuesday night. And if you're watching burlesque dancers, it can be downright subversive! This past Tuesday night Bongo Fury brought the crowd out; drinking, dancing and witnessing both club fave Annika, and the voluptuous Nina (lower right) shake their groove thangs.

Walter Davis - the master of ceremonies - led his white-hot group through 3 sets of terrific urban jazz alternating between his alto and baritone sax (with a bit of flute). Holding it down were the guys - Asa on drums, Bjorn on bass and Victor Orlando on congas and bongos. DJ Daylight on the wheels of steel kept the party going in between sets, and had the dance floor sweaty and crowded. Our man Toledo sat in with the band on a couple of numbers, perpetrating his gritty soulfulness while smoking cigarillos.

If you missed it - come see it live and up close for yourself next Tuesday.

Bongo Fury : The Tuesday Night Place To Be

If it's Tuesday, it must be Bongo Fury. 

I have been attending this weekly gathering of improvisational jazz musicians and wild burlesque dancers for well over a year. As always, Walter Davis leads his guys through swinging afro-samba funky jazz with his mighty baritone sax. 

Come early - the crowd is hip, sophisticated and beautiful. 

The video clip below starts out a little shakey, but hang in there and you'll see world-class dancer Carolina Cerisola, one of the faves here in Santa Monica. 

Playing Tonight : Sonny Rhoads

Tonight!

Harvelle's hosts Sonny Rhoads.

The hardest working Bluesman in America, he's a living legend from East Bay Oakland to the Florida coast. On any given night in North America he's heard burnin' up his lap steel guitar with the Blues. 

Throughout the last 37 years, Rhodes has recorded over two hundred songs. "I'm what you call a self-proclaimed Disciple of the Blues!" says Sonny about his years playin' and singin' for fans of Real Blues music round the world.

Every Tuesday Night

Every Tuesday at Harvelle's in Santa Monica, the incomparable Walter Davis brings Bongo Fury, a wild night of live jazz and burlesque dancers. Come early, it's always crowded and I've noticed the crowd is often filled with beautiful women. 

And the dancers? 

Just check out the video below of club fave Annika!

Leroy Powell & The Messengers and surprise guest Duane Betts!

4th St. felt more like Atlanta, GA as Leroy Powell and The Messengers took over. Featuring blazing twin guitar leads they raised the confederate flag over Santa Monica as Leroy brought the party home, and hell-yeah! was the packed sweaty house appreciative!

Duane Betts, son of Dickey Betts took the stage on several numbers, where he shredded solo and joined in with the band, becoming part of a guitar army,  jamming triumphantly (see video below). Rumor has it these guys are local, but they sounded pretty southern-fried to me!

Tonight it's Dennis Jones' birthday party! Should be a blast!

Tomorrow : Dennis Jones' Birthday Party!

Partytime in Santa Monica on a Saturday night! It's axeman Dennis Jones' b-day. Come celebrate! 

The place is sure to be packed with Mr. Jones' friends, family and fans. Dennis will be playing his electric blues, and I'm sure a couple of Hendrix tunes. 

Count me in!

Tonight it's  - the twin guitar southern-fried blues of Leroy Powell And The Messengers!

Gary Myrick Talks In Stereo

Gary Myrick ripped it up, bringing the party to 4th St.in a big way. His band Gary Myrick's Guitarista is kinda rockabilly, kinda bluesy and completely rockin'! The crowd agreed as they stayed on their feet through out the night dancing. The band, which features Jeff Page on drums and Tom Felicetta on bass, played rock classics and originals, including the hit "She Talks In Stereo". It should be noted that Myrick is an incredibly talented guitarist, playing many different styles.

The stage was crowded with people having a good time - a wholesome young singer named Danielle joined in enthusiastically on many of the songs and the Guitarista Go-Go Girls - Harmony & Day Day - danced non-stop in teeny bikinis through every one of the band's songs. The first few rows of people were obviously hypnotized by the girls' moves and stamina!