Strange Brew : Koffee House Of Vibe

Every Wednesday, the musical gang known as HOVAS (House Of Vibe All Stars) celebrates with a cheap time at a place where everybody knows your name.

If you've been, you know.

If you've never been, and you like funk, r&b, reggae, rock and soul performed by the funkiest crew west of Detroit, (or at least north of Abbot Kinney) tonight's the night.

Harvelle's pics (top) the beautiful smile of Ijeoma Njaka and HOV leader Brew 'pon da mic.

AND SPEAKING OF BREW:
Koffeehouse Sessions is upon us. The first Thursday of every month is the singer/songwriter showcase that has the industry buzzing. The good people at Spin PR are sponsoring the night, which features Harvelle's "pin-up girl" Jessie Payo, Lost In Los Angeles, Terry Ilous and Cliff Beach. An open mic kicks things off at 6:30.

- Posted live from Harvelle's using BlogPress & the Hipstamatic photo app for the iPhone

Housin' and Vibin' @ Harvelle's!!

House Of Vibe is the Wednesday night house band at Harvelle's. Their combination of hip-hop, jazz, r&b, soul, rock and funk is as original as it is infectious. Tonight (as noted in the last entry) is Bif Chitlin's birthday. It is also Michael Bolger's, who sat in on trumpet!!

Besides being a birthday party, it was also a homecoming of sorts - band leader Brew has been on the road with De La Soul (and recently backed Talib Kweli on the Jimmy Kimmel Show) - and that's always cause for celebration.

Brew is thankful for what he gots

Deploi

Amy Lou

Jon Swift

Ijeoma Njaka

Kris Hawkins

Greg Raymond

Fish

Michael Bolger

T-Smidi

- Posted live from Harvelle's using BlogPress & the Hipstamatic app for the iPhone

Location:4th St,Santa Monica,United States

Like jet planes stacked over La Guardia

That's what it looked like to me as The House Of Vibe All Stars played a rare Thursday night spot right here. In lieu of Deploi who - SPOILER ALERT - apparently is on secret government mission to save the planet - there were several others including the perennial Jon Swift, the luminous FreeWill and ill-luminous Ijeoma Njaka to stand in, stand up and get loose.

Love love and love to Brew and his crew. Positivity. Pride. And braids.

- Posted live from Harvelle's using BlogPress & the Hipstamatic photo app on my iPhone

Location:4th St,Santa Monica,United States

The Return of Cecilia Noel And The Wild Clams

Tonight I am in awe at the spectacle that is going down here at Harvelle's. The always fabulous Cecilia Noel has returned with her Wild Clams backing her up.
It's practically a Vegas style show, what with the large band - at least 10 pieces - crammed into the intimate atmosphere here.


The blend of Latin funk, jazz and r&b with Cecilia's sexy soulful vocals swooping above the sonic feel-good, south-of-border band. These hard hitting dudes came fierce with incredible horns, percussion and the 4 women backing up Ms. Noel.

As well it's Cecilia's bday, so the joint is particularly jumping.

Approaching the low end of high decibals, this place is ground zero for partying on this balmy Thursday night on the left coast.

My favorite "Wild Clam", Ijeoma Njaka!


Happy Bday to Cecilia!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone.

Location:4th St,Santa Monica,United States

House Of Vibe : If you can't stand the heat...

Wednesday's are the funkiest night of the week, and House Of Vibe All Stars celebrate it. Last night they turned it out with Chali 2na and rocked the place til closing. Chali will be sitting in with the band again in January.

If you're at Harvelle's tonight to usher in the new year, have the greatest time of your life!!

Gino Matteo will rock the house right!!

See y'all in 2010!

A Gozár! : The Cecilia Noel Experience

Understand this : Cecilia is a superstar.

Cecilia Noel's Harvelle's performance last night was unlike anything I've ever experienced. Cecilia and her Wild Clams went through 2 super-tight non-stop sets of over-the-top energetic latin-funk. She did her thing and left me sweaty and exhausted and wanting more. The ultra feminine, hyper-sexy Cecilia spun my head around and got my nose wide open. If you haven't heard Cecilia Noel check her out on Youtube, Myspace, Google her or click the link above.

A extra-special shout out to Wild Clam singer/dancer Ijeoma Njaka, (2nd from right above) a regular 'round Harvelle's, often sitting in with House Of Vibe All Stars. You were awesome!