Soul Funk : A night and a half of super bad jazz

Friday night Soul Funk! 

Rachel Sienna center-staging it

even the cymbals were funky

Ryan Cross on bass

The Toledo Show : Slightly Hung Over

The Toledo Show cranked it up a notch tonight. Their Sunday night residency continues to thrill the crowd, and dazzle with incredible musicianship, those hot dancers and the cabaret atmosphere they bring with 'em. Down on 4th St. in Santa Monica it was a party and a half. I met some great folks from Yonkers, NY and the band sounded better than ever. Brian Allen's thunderous bass riffs never stopped, guitarist Rok channeled Eddie Hazel and Vernon Reid during his featured solos, Sebastian rocked the trumpet, Asa pouned the skins into submission and Brew improvised on the keys. Singers Malik and Shamari sang their respective hearts out and the incomparable Walter Davis maceo'd his way to the top of the mix for the over-the-top-excitement factor he brings with him wherever/whenever he performs.


In the morning, I'll be slightly hung over and I really shouldn't have eaten that bacon double cheeseburger from Jack-in-the-Box I picked up on the way home. But I know it was worth it. A club full of music fans I'm sure would agree. Carlos? Jackie? Nate? Viv?

(Big shout-outs to John and Emily)

X-Rated?!?! : The Night Known As Bongo Fury

Bongo Fury, the weekly live music and dance collaboration at Harvelle's, features the hottest burlesque dancers in the world every Tuesday night. The vodka was Rated X, and the performance was just as provocative, as Erin (dark hair) and Jade (red hair) wowed the crowd with heavenly curves, gymnastic gyrations, table-top dances and mad crazy sex appeal. The incomparable Walter Davis led his quartet, (Bjørn Fleuren (bass), Asa Watkins (drums) and the amazing Victor Orlando on congas and bongos), through 3 sets of electric latin/afro-samba jazz and funky soul. DJ Daylight provided the between sets entertainment, spinning his selection of funk and brazilian beats. 

Bongo Fury : Burlesque Beauties Striptease to Afro Samba Jazz

Tuesday night, the incomparable Walter Davis leads his afro/samba jazz group through 3 sets of music and burlesque dancing. Pictured here are club fave's Annika (dark hair)and Dakota (lighter hair) shaking their groove things in ways that seem virtually impossible. Sexy doesn't even begin to describe the Bongo Fury night here at Harvelle's. Come early, get a good seat and a cocktail and settle in for a Tuesday night that will be the highlight of your week. I am always there. I never miss it. Highly recommended!!! 

Chuck Morris : The Funky Drummer

A native of Chicago, Ill., Chuck Morris began his drumming career at 7 years old. He has toured with Cameo, Chaka Khan and So Cal reggae band Common Sense, to name a couple. 

The work that Chuck is most known for was as the drummer on The Arsenio Hall Show. During his six years on the show he performed with artists as Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Grover Washington, Quincy Jones, Chick Corea, and even President Bill Clinton. 

Recently Chuck sat in with Tuesday night's burlesque jazz cabaret Bongo Fury. He kicked it up a notch for sure. I'm not sure who will be onstage for this rare Harvelle's appearance, but I'm sure it will feature Chuck's patented brand of funk with an aggressive edge and subtle jazzy feel and definitely some reggae.

Eric Sardinas : Rip It Up

Eric Sardinas strolls into Harvelle's this Saturday night to rip the place apart! Sardinas, a Florida born delta-drenched axeman takes it to another level when he plugs it in and rips it up.

The best word to describe this resonator-guitar genius is HELLACIOUS*!!! 

Like a ruffneck diablo with a steel guitar and a beer bottle for a slide, this dude will rock the place all night long with some of the tastiest licks this side of guitar fire-starters like Johnny Winter and Steve Vai!

*hel·la·cious (h-lshs) adj.
slang: extraordinary; remarkable

Ryan Cross & Friends : Friday Night Zazz

Tonight's feature, Ryan Cross (and Co.) return to Harvelle's for a Friday night jam, sure to thrill and sure to chill, cuz it's gonna be sooooooo cool! I started the year with Ryan on stage (New Year's Eve) with his Soul Funk trio (Gene Coye-drums, Brandon Coleman-keys & vocals). He always brings horn players, vocalists and guests sit-in. There's no shortage of talent in this town, and Mr. Cross taps into this wealth of players for one purpose: to dazzle and entertain. Fresh from attending the inauguration of President Obama, Ryan Cross will be energized and in a celebratory mood. Scheduled to appear are Rhona Bennett, Amir and Rachel Sierra (Pix above from New Year's Eve at Harvelle's)