Sy Smith : Psoulful Psinger

Vintage Trouble still abroad, their time slot was substituted by the soulful Sy Smith. Large of afro and voice - she is commanding visually and sonic-ly filling the club with groovy parishoners worshipping on a Tuesday night. What is one to do except join in the worship of one the best performers I've seen all year? With three albums under her belt, it's surprising she isn't more of a star, cuz she sure does shine!! If she returns, I highly recommend. Hopefully she will play more songs and keep us out a bit later. I could have heard another hour of her voice!!

Special shout-out to Kamasi Washington - who used to blast his sax on a semi-regular basis on Tuesday's back in the (Ryan Cross) SoulFunk days - who was just one of the members of Sy's awesome backing group. (I will amend this post with the rest of the band members' names asap.)

Dezmond Meeks : Trouble Free (almost)

I was proud to see Dezmond Meeks was performing Tuesday night (regular Tues residents Vintage Trouble took the night off). I say proud, because I first met Dezmond at Harvelle's about a year ago, when he performed with Ryan Cross' SoulFunk. Since, we've run into each other around town, and I've been able to watch him evolve. He never fails to command attention and entertain - whether sitting in at a jazz club, doing stripped down covers at a coffeehouse or onstage at a cool place (like Harvelle's). Dezmond is as natural a performer as two of his idols — Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey. And like them, he does what he does, because that's what he was born to do.


He dazzles on the piano, has an incredibly dynamic vocal range and the energy of an NBA all-star. I mean to say that Dezmond Meeks is a star. A celestial being. He doesn't need sparkly clothes or flashing lights to make himself brighter (but he looks good in 'em!). Dezmond Meeks has genuine heart and soul.


Joining Dez onstage were Vintage Trouble lead singer Ty Taylor (not pictured) and James Delisco (above) - lead singer of his own band- Funky Deep.



Laura Jane Jones came through with her jazzy fresh vocals and the most amazing corkscrew curls I've ever seen, making her one to watch. As petite, feminine and coy as she is - the opposite is true of her vocal ability. Big, pure and emotive, she led her terrific band through a set of all originals. She really got the crowd revved up for Dezmond.


Also this eve - Harvelle's regular Dancin' John celebrated his birthday. While some are more appreciative fans than others, Dancin' John is true to himself, and his creative output - a sorta raw funky interpretive dance - leaves one awestruck, but like a lot of us, he loves to get down and has a real love for live music.


Happy Birthday Johnny!!


And they even spelled his name right on the marquee!!! Dezmond Meeks uber alles!!

This entry posted live from Harvelle's using BlogPress & the iPhone Hipstamatic photo app

Location:4th St,Santa Monica,United States

Funky Birthday Shots

First off - Happy Bday to the righteous funky brother number one: David Ormesher!


Miss Heather with David O


John "Pop" Clark on wicked guitar.


above - Octavia with Kenny Crouch (keys).

A pre-birthday bash of sorts -
no doubt this celebration will be continuing on for the next 24 hours (or so). Cheers to another trip round the sun.



The house is full of funkateers and soul babes. (above - Miss Heather w your humble blogger). Like Putney Swope says "the Boorman 6 girl has GOT TO have soul". Singers Lisa Foreman and Octavia have got the soul.



above David O w J (from CT)

Big-ups to Kenny Crouch (keys), drummer Cedric Anderson, Miss Heather & photographer Josh, Tom McNalley, singer Ella, J (all the way from CT), bassist Cornelius, the marvelous Lisa Foreman, guitarist John "Pop" Clark, Singer/DJ Reesso, Tanisha and of course Ryan Cross.


above - Lisa Foreman is funkin' for Jamaica.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:1432 4th St,Santa Monica,United States

Workin and Broke : Soul Funk

There's nothing that sucks more than being broke around the holidays, and when you're working hard, it's like adding insult to injury. At Harvelle's the Tuesday night SoulFunk is a veritable church visit, one and all testifying. Blues and jazz and people playing to their hearts content, is a sure way to escape the bleakness of the situation. So I'm gonna be polite and comb my hair and be gracious this season and white knuckle it into 2010, where the future is.

OK. So this past Tuesday.... Ryan Cross brought his crew through. Keith Eaddy on bass, Dennis Hamm on keys and Gene Coye on drums. Featured singers Nicole and Tina sang some Xmas classics and some R&B and blues in tandem and solo.

Mayia Sykes took the stage and sang her heart out; she thawed me a little too. John Beasley - a keyboardist with an amazing resume - sat in on a few tunes. There's a video of Maiya jamming with Mr Beasley I have posted here. Lisa Foreman brought down the house with her sheer funkiness.

I hung out with guitarist Tom McNalley and chanteuse Hilary Van Lier throughout the night, and left broke - but slightly more enthused about life. A special shout out to Marcas Johnson, a keyboardist that sat in and a cool guy that I've recently gotten to know a bit.

I don't expect it to be any less funky this week.

Soul Funk! : The Return Of Mayia Sykes

My night started off with Coq Au Vin. Two days before Thanksgiving and she wanted to prepare Coq Au Vin. And who can say no to Coq Au Vin? Seriously.

Good food is a ripe aphrodisiac for haughty musical exploration, and as luck would have it, my favorite eclectrician, Ryan Cross, was holding court with his cast of players including Zane Musa, James Allen, Robert Miller and Mr Brandon Coleman.

Pictured top: Tom McNalley accompanies featured vocalist Mayia Sykes in what was one of the best musical performances I have seen in a while, at Harvelle's or anywhere. Detroit native Tom is an accomplished guitarist with a passion for Haitian music and

culture. Mayia Sykes continues to surprise and delight audiences around the world, and to experience her in an intimate setting like Harvelle's is beautiful and rapturous.

Soulfunk is every Tuesday night.

Soulfunk : Tuesday Night Vocalese

SoulFunk! - Ryan Cross, Gene Coye and Brandon Coleman. Three incredible musicians who mix it up - jazz, soul, funk, r&b... There's always top-notch surprise guests and a plethora of vocal and instrumental talent.

Tonight's featured performers : Octavius Terry and Karma.

Previous sessions have included (top to bottom) Judith Hill, Nikki Grier, Chris Pierce and Lisa Foreman .

Soul Funk : Welcome to Tuesday

Ryan Cross and Soulfunk are hardly strangers around these parts. The West side home to L.A.'s coolest jazz cat, it is with major enthusiasm and elation that brings this one all home. Let's not forget Mr.'s Coye and Coleman (drums, keys respectively) and the plethora of talent available to Mr. Cross.

Tonight's guests include Octavius Terry, DJ Vicious Lee and Karma.

Soul Funk : California Dreamin'

A night of soul and funk and jazz; any major dude will tell you it's the spot on a Southern California Tuesday night. Ignore the warm smell of colitas rising up through the air, and cruise down a balmy Santa Ana wind-fueled P.C.H. with the top down towards the beach. Right near the "World Famous" Santa Monica Pier, a stones throw from Venice Beach and at least 15 degrees cooler than the rest of Los Angeles, Harvelle's is the place to be.

Brandon Coleman & Gene Coye

I really haven't given enough credit for last night's Soul Funk! performance to Brandon Coleman and Gene Coye. These two guys - these two gentlemen - kept it going all night long. Brandon and Gene both play many places around the world and play all the time, but there's nothing like seeing them in the anything-can-happen arena of Soul Funk! at Harvelle's (every Tuesday).

The Esperanza Spalding video below starts with an incredible solo by Brandon (pictured left in white) - one of many played throughout the night!! Also in the video - behind Esperanza - is Gene - seriously holding it down.

Soul Funk :The Return of Nikki Grier

Nikki Grier returns to Harvelle's tonight! This encore performance is highly anticipated and promises to be a night of sweet soul, r&b and jazz. The ultra-sexy Ms. Grier's exquisite voice makes this a very special Soul Funk session. 

Check out the video above of her at Harvelle's back in May with Ryan Cross on bass.

SoulFunk : Nikki Grier : Caught Up In The Rapture

Sometimes when I'm watching the world-class musicians that perform at Harvelle's, I think to myself 'if they hadn't discovered they were musicians, what would they be doing?' I can't imagine Nikki Grier doing anything but singing. People listen to Nikki. People want to listen to Nikki. They REALLY want to listen to her. The room was practically silent as she opened up her heart and poured out it's contents for all to see. Whew!

Of course Ryan Cross and his SoulFunk! stalwarts Gene Coye (drums) and Brandon Coleman (keys and vox) tore they place apart with their sonic combo. Whether jammin' some hard bop, or backing the folks who sit in they rock the house.

Ask for it by name: SoulFunk! Every Tuesday night at Harvelle's!

SoulFunk : Nikki Grier & DJ Vicious Lee

Ryan Cross introduced the ultra cool soul singer Nikki Grier to an enthusiastic crowd at Harvelle's Tuesday Soulfunk 2 weeks ago. While headliner Judith Hill took a short break, Nikki took the stage and showed up to sing! Her performance of "Love Is Stronger Than Pride" brought the house down!

Graciously she invited Judith back onstage to do some side-by-side vocalizing and competitive "add-a-note" jamming. Once again, as often happens at Harvelle's, the audience totally won!!! (See video below.)

Also featured tonight - DJ Vicious Lee on the 1's and 2's. Vicious is the DJ at Harvelle's insanely popular Sunday night Toledo Show. Vicious is known to keep the dance floor beyond packed, and he knows which crates to dig into. 

Big shout-out to Ryan Cross for bringing the talent to the people.

Keep it coming!

SoulFunk : Judith Hill Shines

Soulfunk Tuesday turned it out! Ryan Cross brought a plethora of talent to the stage and beyond. Judith Hill was definitely the shining star of the night (pictured here with Ryan Cross on bass and Gene Coye on drums). 
Ryan Cross brings Soulfunk! to Harvelle's every Tuesday night. 

SoulFunk : Special Guests :Dennis Hamm & Judith Hill

Tonight Harvelle's welcomes Ryan Cross and his SoulFunk! Tuesday Night party! Dennis Hamm will be sitting in on keys and the beautiful and talented Judith Hill will be keeping the party going. 

Be bold! It's Tuesday night! Couple a bucks gets you into Harvelle's to see world-class musicians at local pub prices! You know where it's at!

Guaranteed SoulFunk : Cross/Coleman/Coye

Ryan Cross hosted an awesome night of music Friday, that featured Maiya Sykes (pictured above with Ryan), a multi-octaval musician with a fierce yet angelic voice. Also sitting in; James Butler and Keith Eaddy on bass, and Hilary VanLier - the modern day chanteuse - who sang her own "I Ain't Even Trippin'" and was a very cool highlight to the night. Ryan's got a Rol-O-dex™ full of the hottest players in town, so you never know who you're gonna hear, but it's always guaranteed soulfunk-y!

Ryan and his SoulFunk bandmates, Gene Coye (drums) and Brandon Coleman (keys and vox)are now performing every Tuesday night at Harvelle's! 

Come down and see 'em live!

Brand New Tuesdays : SoulFunk