James Gadson : The Funky Drummer10,000 People Can't be Wrong!!

Using a Canon G-10, I shot this clip of James Gadson on the drums playing one of the beats he "owns"; "Use Me", the Bill Withers classic that Gadson righteously layed down for the groove. Gadson used to sit in on Monday night at Harvelle's as part of blues guitarist Kirk Fletcher's residency. This particular session, the band approached the tune reverentially, but other then the original funked-up drum part, the jam lacks the beauty of the original. I have issues with the vocalist, but then again, Bill Withers was an exceptional singer and almost anyone would have trouble covering one of his tunes better than himself, however, props to the guy for trying and this clip is about James Gadson anyway!!

Recently this video reached it's 10,000 view!!
10,000 people checking out Gadson's grooves!!

Ray Bailey : Dazzling with Brilliance

If like me, you were unable to make bluesman/guitarist Ray Bailey's show last night - here's a couple of videos of Ray at Harvelle's back in January with James Gadson on drums, bassist Kevin Brandon, and Ed Neal on the organ. (Recorded by George Radai on January 8th, 2010)

Don't miss him next time!!

Kirk Fletcher on a Monday : Easy like a Sunday

Kirk is the Vans™-wearing new school blues cat who shreds, throws down and brings some of the best players around to jam. He has a new CD, and his Monday night residency at Harvelle's has become a must-see stop for fans of r&b, soul and blues. Kirk Fletcher's band includes James Gadson on drums, Paulie Cera on vocals and sax, Luke Miller on keys, and tonight, "Ready" Freddie Washington on bass.

"Ready" Freddie Washington - 

the man who put the funk in Patrice Rushen's "Forget Me Nots" 

(Freddie Washington on iTunes™)

Kirk Fletcher has a new album. 

it's on iTunes

Adrian Hibbs rockin' the keys

Josh Smith tears it up

James Gadson - funkiest man alive

Rob Bacon

Alvino Bennett sitting in on drums

Luke Miller jams on the keys 

Freddie Washington on bass

Rob Bacon

Paulie Cera vocals and sax

Kirk Fletcher

Alvino Bennett

Bill Steinway

Sam Meek on lead guitar

Kirk's classic black Vans™

Kirk Fletcher : The Return Of The Mack

Monday night is alright. 'specially if you're Cali cool and Santa Monica mellow.


Paulie Cera on sax and lead vocals.



Kirk Fletcher runs his new skool So Cal blues through a time machine and brings it back to the present.



Luke Miller on the keys


Somewhere between the Memphis "Stax" sound, the blustery blues of Chicago and the swampy Southern grime, Kirk leads his group through it all, making detours along the way to infuse more modern operators like Eddie VanHalen and Jack White.


Mr James Gadson -one of the funkiest drummers of all time commands the drum throne.


Kirk Fletcher - guitar


Jerry Brown sat in on the drums.


Kasey from the band Miss Willie Brown brought the house down with her version of Bonnie Raitt's "I Feel The Same". Sam Meek - (behind Kasey) on lead guitar sat in and showed off his legendary chops.


James Gadson




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Location:4th St,Santa Monica,United States

Down to it. Monday. It ain't so bad.

Yeah yeah yeah.
I don't like Mondays. No one does. But here we are. Another one.
I have one close friend that I simply never contact on a Monday. She just isn't down. It's a civil enough request.

So unless a major celebrity dies or someone we both know is on TV, we're mute for the day. Tonight, she unexpectedly invited me to the movies.
It was fun.
But I'm here now.
And damn happy.
The bar is crowded.
I hear female laughter.
There is dancing.

Kirk Fletcher's band is onstage.

Travis Carlton on bass. Paulie Cera on sax and singing the blues. Josh Smith on guitar and legendary skinsman James Gadson keeping watch over the funk. Sir Harry Bowen is here and singing sweet soul (the way he does).

It's not complicated.
No need to overthink it. It's only Monday.


J-dizzle in the hizzle.




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Where's Captain Kirk?

Indeed, even as the marquee says Kirk Fletcher, the band was without their leader. The rest of the dudes are here; Luke Miller on keys, Bobby Tsukomoto on bass, Paulie Cerra on sax and vocals and of course, legendary drummer James Gadson (google him).




The house is packed tonight with Harvelle's royalty. Sir Harry Bowen is owning the dancefloor, while Miss Willie Brown's Amanda and Kasey, along
with guitar hero Sam Meek and bassist Brian Allen are here to support their bandmate Luke.Toledo Diamond is at the bar chillin, and on his way out, as I was coming in, was Toledo Show bassist Spoonie.


Josh Smith is standing in for Kirk tonight and he's rocking it.



Also sitting in is the incredible bassist Travis Carlton (again, google).

Toledo (above)

Amanda (above)

Closing the first set with the theme from Sanford and Son, they helped this poor scribe to have a less unpleasant "first Monday" of the new decade.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:4th St,Santa Monica,United States

Kirk Fletcher : New School Bluesmania

Every Monday at Harvelle's, Kirk Fletcher plays the blues, and James Gadson joins him on drums, bringing his OG funk beats. Kirk's core group also consists of Paulie Cerra on sax/vox, Bobby Tsukamoto on bass and Luke Miller on keys.

They throw down, they wail, they let it lay and they bring it all back home.

Kirk Fletcher's Blues Gang

Kirk Fletcher's gang of blues musicians including drummer James Gadson came full force and kicked the week off for me. Drinking Blue Moon and O.J. the funk was all around. Here's a few pix of the night.

Funky Drummer : James Gadson

James Gadson is one of the greatest drummers of all time.

Perhaps a bit too obsequiously, I call the man Mr Gadson, but then again, he is on records by everyone from Marvin Gaye to Dyke & The Blazers. He's been sampled by Public Enemy, NWA, some of the hardest core rappers out there, so you've definitely heard him play!

Check out his laid back seriously groooved playing on What's Going On or Bill Wither's "Use Me" (below). James -- err--- Mr. Gadson is due all respect and then some. His awesome career is as unique as it is long.

A true living legend, he plays every Monday night at Harvelle's with Kirk Fletcher.

Kirk Fletcher : Monday nights.

Kirk Fletcher guitar
James Gadson drums and vocals
Bobby Tsukamoto on bass
Paulie Cerra on sax and vocals

Kirk Fletcher : Casual, Awesome

Kirk Fletcher is on stage every Monday night.

Enjoy the deep blues, dance, party and keep it casual. Kirk has surrounded himself with some of the best around, including wildman drummer James Gadson (who has played with Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, Bill Withers, Temptations, Rose Royce, Quincy Jones).

Pretty awesome hang for a Monday.

Kirk & The Gang :Kirk Fletcher Shreds Into The Night.

Kirk Fletcher stayed in the shadows - dressed in black jeans, black t-shirt and black skateboard shoes -but his unmistakable guitar ability was definitely center-stage. His shredding pays a debt to everyone from Buddy Guy to Eddie Van Halen.  Matching his Telecaster with equal amounts sweet and gritty - on his right - was Strat wielding Sam*.  Legendary drummer James Gadson held down the beat in his unflinching heavy-soul style. The band even jammed out on "Use Me" (Gadson played on the original Bill Withers version). 

Baadasss Brian Allen played the bass - his bandmate from Miss Willie Brown - Luke* played all the keys. Paulie* kept the whole thing together, leading the group with Otis-y style vocals and saxophone.

*(didn't get their last names...

will re-post with the correct info)

Miss Willie Brown : Kasey & Her Cowboy Boots

Everybody's fave bar-b-que slinging country girl, Kasey, from Miss Willie Brown was hanging out at Harvelle's last night! She was there in support of bandmates Luke and Brian (keys and bass respectively) as they jammed the night away as part of Kirk Fletcher's group. Here she is in the parking lot showing off her boots.