Toledo Show Images

The long running Toledo Show is every Sunday night at Harvelle's. This soul-funk burlesque cabaret stars the charismatic Toledo Diamond as ring leader to the Dames, the band and the emotions of the audience.

Leroy Powell : Rip This Joint

Leroy Powell brought his southern-fried self to Harvelle's Friday night. Leroy is a hell of a singer and played lead guitar alone and in tandem with Johnny Stachela creating a most Jagger/Richards-esque combo.

Bjorn Fleuren (bass) and Iahji Hampden (drums) are too of the most in-demand players in town; I seem to run into them all the time at jazz and funk gigs. They evidently never played before with Leroy, but to watch these guys git it raw provided an awesome night of real rock 'n' roll.

Gary Allegretto : Pix

Images from Gary Allegretto's performance at Harvelle's Nov 13 2009. Rich Cohen on guitar, Dave Kida on the drums, Paul Eckman on bass and Gary Allegretto on harmonica and vocals.

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.

Sometimes, The Blues Is All There Is...

She's going out of town for a couple of days...

That's how it begins.

So we're gonna have a good time before she gets on that airplane. The soundtrack? The harmonica blues of Gary Allegretto. Blues can be lonely, especially the train-like wail of the harmonica, but in the right hands, it also can make you want to drink and dance and smile. Mr. Allegretto has those hands. Check 'em out on MySpace.

Friday night... we celebrate.

We party and imbibe and have fun.

Then I'll put her in a taxi, she'll catch the red-eye, and I'll hang some more and stay out until it's late enough to go home.

Weekend At Harvelle's : Plan Accordingly

Friday ::

Gary Allegretto -

rip-roarin' harmonica blues

Saturday ::

The Meters Experience

feat. Leo Nocentelli

Sunday ::

The Toledo Show -

If you don't know by now...

Harmonica Blues Is Back!!!

Harvelle's - est. 1931 - still going strong as THE showcase spot for the blues and jazz on the Westside; it's a true love thang when it comes to the blues - be it from the windy city, the deep South, or the San Fernando Valley.

Thursday it's my main man - J.T. Ross - The Harmonica Boss - bringing his So-Cal-by-way-of-Chicago style to 4th and Broadway. Gear up and groove simultaneously, J.T. will have the room rockin' and the dance floor packed. Gonna be a great time!

Friday - the return of Gary Allegretto

Saturday - the Meters Experience feat. Leo Nocentelli

(photo by krista)