Sbs v33 5 oct nov 2012 by Sacramento Blues Society

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October-November 2012

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October-November 2012

President’s Notes— Liz Walker Hard to believe autumn is here. Hope you all had a wonderful blues filled summer. The Jimmy Thackery show at the Blue Goose in Loomis was a wonderful success. Huge kudos to John Ellis and Mary Carrera for all their hard work. Thanks also to: Bo, Bob C, Bob P, Charlene, Cynthia, Dave, Dennis, Drew, Erin, Jan, Kim, Kimi, Kristen, Linda, Nancy, Randy, Rick, Skip, Steve, Tammie, Tom, and Gourmet Soul Food for making it all go so smoothly. THANK YOU to all those that came out to support our effort in raising travel funds for our representative band to participate in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

done sort of person we could use your help. There is a very small group of folks getting a lot done for the society at this time. Volunteer for a committee. Sure would be great to have some help.

The annual Membership Party is coming up December 2nd. The party is free to all of our active members (if your membership has expired you can go on line to renew or renew at the show.) Be sure to save this date. This is your annual party, you’ll want to be there.

The local competition to participate in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis has a different look this year. The fourth preliminary round is October 13 at Po’ Boyz and the final showdown is November 10 at the Torch Club. Come on out to show your support and help send the winners to Memphis!

Elections will be held in December as well. SBS is looking for a few good people to help govern your blues society. We need people with organizational skills, public relation skills, web skills and just plain old enthusiasm for the Blues. If you're a go-getter, get it

I love the following quote and try to live up to it every day. Hope to see you on the dance floor. "Life may not be the party we hoped for...But while we are here we might as well dance!"

This past year has seen some big leaps in the organization. A CPA and a lawyer are working pro bono to help us with questions and provide directions. For the first time we developed a strategic plan (and are trying to stick to it!), we implemented on-line membership application and the ability to buy tickets to events. We recruited program sponsors. Blue Notes has a new look. We increased community collaborations, upCongratulations to Eric Gallant of Livermore. Eric dated our logo and started outreach to our visual artbought the winning raffle ticket for the autographed ists. And check out the new merchandise. This has Gibson Epiphone Guitar. The raffle generated over all been done by a handful of people. Imagine what $1700.00 for the Blues in the Schools program! we could do with more help!

The Sacramento Blues Society (SBS) is one of the oldest blues societies in California, founded in1979, and is a 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit corporation formed to preserve and promote blues music as an art form. SBS has kept the blues tradition alive in the Sacramento area by promoting the local blues music scene and bringing internationally renowned artists to the region. SBS is an affiliate member of The Blues Foundation, and provides educational opportunities for young people with The Blues Foundation’s “Blues In The Schools” Program. SBS produces and mails a newsletter, “Blue Notes” six times a year for our membership . 2012 Board Officers Liz Walker—President Dave Alcock—Vice President Charlene Metzler–Secretary JohnE Sandwich—Treasurer Jan Kelley-Parliamentarian Board Members at Large Kristen Dahl Kim DuVall Tammie Madill Skip Murphy Rick Nolan Zane Toberer

Sacramento Blues Society is a Proud Member of

2012 Committee Chairs

BITS —Cynthia Jaynes, Liz Walker, Co-Chairs BlueNotes! —Vj Anderson, Jan Kelley, Co-Editors CD Reviews—Mindy Giles Events/IBC Competition —Skip Murphy Gene Chambers Musicians Emergency Fund (GCMEF) — Kim Duvall Sacramento Blues Hall of Fame—Sally Katen; Board Liaison— Jan Kelley Membership/Volunteers —Zane Toberer Merchandise/Concessions/Graphics — Rick Nolan Public Relations —Liz Walker SacBlues e-News/Calendar —Willie Brown Web —Kristen Dahl

Board of Directors Meetings 2nd Tuesday of each month; 7:00 PM at the SMUD Building, 6301 S Street, Sacramento, CA. All SBS members in good standing are invited to attend. 2

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Come to The Annual Sacramento Blues Society Member Party Soulful blues with an attitude. If Etta James fronted the Tower of Power and they were a Blues Band...Paula Harris sounds like that. Is this sound something you could dig? Well, this firecracker is bringing it all to Sacramento just for YOUR party on Sunday, December 2. That’s right, The Paula Harris Band (complete with horn section) is the headliner for the Annual M e m b er s h i p Party this year. In the last year, Paula has blazed into the “Blues Scene” like a meteor. She won the Monterey Blues Festival's "2011 Battle of the Bands" in November as a warm up to representing the San Francisco Bay Area in the International Blues Challenge (IBC held in Memphis, TN) where she placed in the Top Three Best Bands in the world-wide competition after receiving standing ovations at all stages of the competition. . Paula won’t be the only live wire at the show. The runner-up for Sacramento’s local IBC competition is the opening act (at the time of press competition for that spot is continuing). Presentations to our Hall of Fame inductees and SBS Board Elections are all part of the day’s activities. You'll also have an opportunity to enter a raffle for an

original painting of your choice created by our very own past cover artist, Kathryn Lambert. Door prizes, raffles, an art exhibit, good food and kickin’ music…now I ask you “what more could you want?” The party is FREE to all current SBS members (so make sure your membership is current or renew at the door.) Save the date and put your dancing shoes on! Sunday, December 2, 2012 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The Station 1100 Orlando Avenue Roseville Not convinced? Check out Paula’s website!

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Blues in the Schools

October-November 2012

- by Cynthia Jaynes

The new school year has begun and we are preparing for another round of school assemblies, after school lessons, concerts and jam sessions. We’re hoping to expand the after school lessons into another school district north east of Sacramento. I would like to thank everyone who has supported BITS in the past year, including Byron and Ginny Jobe of Charity Guitars, Mary Carrera of Carrera Productions, and Kathie Lambert, for their generous donations – not to mention the Sacramento Blues Society members who support the program by paying dues and attending our events.

the blues alive and growing in the Sacramento region! I’m pleased to announce the newest member of the BITS Committee, Blues violinist, Sasha Tkacheff. Sasha will be forming a network of BITS students, using social media sites and other methods to stay connected with alumni and current participants. She will also be developing contacts with all-ages venues and other places that provide opportunities to play the blues, learn from other arts disciplines and network with younger musicians. We will be posting information on this new BITS program on our Facebook page. If you have a Facebook account, go to: Sacramento BLUES IN THE SCHOOLS and click “Like” to get connected!

Blues In The Schools (BITS) has been in operation for over eight years now. We’ve enjoyed the lessons, insights and successes that come with running a school-based arts program using local professional musicians to educate students on all aspects of the Blues. And, how great it is to see some of the BITS students have formed bands and are starting to play out! Take a look at the Hiway 99 Festival article in this issue of the Blue Notes. We are helping to keep

If you are interested in helping BITS achieve our goals in the 2012/2013 school year, please contact Cynthia Jaynes at 916– 202-5075 or bits@sacblues.com.

Nominees wanted! ELECTIONS! ELECTIONS! ELECTIONS! Yes, it's that time of year again. Not only is it a Board members that have served only one twonational presidential election it's time to bring for- year term. (Bylaws allow two consecutive ward a new SBS Board. There are a number of terms.) There are six (6) regular two-year term vacancies open for participation by get up and positions and two (2) one-year positions that will get it done people. People with enthusiasm for fill mid-term vacancies. If you're interested in a the blues, people with accounting background, one or two year commitment to the Blues SociPR background, organizational background, web ety, (or know of someone who would be interdesign background, ested,) please submit your name graphic design backand a brief (under 100 words) can2013-2014 Elections ground, and people didate statement by November 7th who want to be into Charlene Metzler, current SecreNominations due by volved. If you're intary of the Blues Society, or to the November 7, 2012 terested come to the SBS mailing address on the back of Board meetings the Blue Notes. Charlene’s e-mail If interested, submit name and (every 2nd Tuesday) is short statement to SBS mailbox or to familiarize yourcharlenemetzler@sbcglobal.net charlenemetzler@sbcglobal.net self with the process. Ballots will be mailed to current Ballots will be mailed on members on November 14th. You This is a call to a can return your ballot by mailing it November 14, 2012 minimum of eight (8) in, handing it to a current board people (more is member or bringing it with you to Ballots will be counted and nice, too) to step up the membership party on December results announced at the and help out. That Member Party December 2, 2012 2nd, when election results will be anincludes terminating nounced. 4

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What Does Membership Mean? - By Liz Walker Do you know what it means to be a member of the Sacramento Blues Society? It means that you’re part of a blues community. A community that cares about preserving and promoting the blues as an art form. More than a social club, the Society was incorporated into a 501(c) (3) non-profit Arts organization to provide service to the community. We do this in a variety of ways.

motion of the blues as an art form the society has collaborated with multiple club owners, promoters and arts groups. There have been discounts for festivals, shows and ticket giveaways for our members. The society itself tries to bring national touring acts to the area to expose our members to the best of What does it mean to “preserve” the blues? Webster’s the blues world. A weekly calendar sent via email is dissays that the word comes from the Latin, prae- tributed to over 2000 blues enthusiasts with a compre+servare: to keep, guard, observe. It goes on to say to hensive listing of all the major blues happenings. The keep alive and intact. SBS fulfills this mandate with the society’s website is also a wonderful resource for inforHall of Fame, the Blues In The Schools program and mation as is this bi-monthly newsletter. And let’s not forthe Gene Chambers Musicians Crisis Fund. get about our Facebook page. Whenever you purchase and wear society tee shirts and pins you show your supEvery year the society accepts nominations for the Hall port of the blues everywhere you go. of Fame from its members of those performers (musicians) or non-performers (supporters of the blues) So you see what it means to be a member of the Sacrawho have a 20+ year history of blues participation, mento Blues Society. You are a supporter! It’s much made a historical contribution and/or had an impact and more than the next party. Your membership fees and overall influence on the blues community in the Sacra- donations (100% deductible) help to support all these mento region. The awards are presented each year at programs. Your participation in all our events and comthe annual membership party in December. You can mittees make it all happen. “Live the life you love. Love check out past inductees on www.sacblues.com or view the life you live.” I live and love and support the BLUES! photos and the perpetual plaque on display in the Torch Club. Our Blues In The Schools program provides special opportunities to educate youth in the Sacramento area in order to teach the historical significance of the Blues and its on-going impact on American and World culture. The program strives to bring musicians, educators, storytellers, and other performers together to assist each other in teaching students about blues music and its culture. We have seen a multitude of young performers come from the after school programs who have continued to play the blues at some of the all ages jams around the area. Several students have formed a band and have performed at a couple of local festivals and events. 2008 Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame inductee Gene Chambers was a longtime Sacramento blues musician, teacher and mentor who always cared deeply about the blues scene and musicians around our area. The Gene Chambers Musician Crisis Fund provides assistance to SBS musicians in times of great financial need due to catastrophic events in their lives. Since its inception in 2008, the fund has provided relief to many of our local musicians. Now what about the “promote” part of the society’s mandate? Webster says it’s from the Latin, promotus: to move forward. One of the definitions is to contribute to the growth or prosperity of. To bring about this pro5

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October-November 2012

Jump Start

Pinetop Perkins

Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials

(Blind Pig)

(Alligator)

Nothing grounds a soul like the sound of an acoustic piano. The sound reaches back, before amplification, to both juke joint and church. Three time Grammy winner Willie “Pinetop” Perkins is a blues piano giant for the ages; his musical trajectory from birth in 1913 in Belzoni, Mississippi to his passing nearly 98 years later in early 2011, charts the course of modern blues. He began playing guitar and piano at house parties and honky-tonks, toured/recorded with slide guitar man Robert Nighthawk, was heard all over the south via his three years in the 1940s with harp legend Sonny Boy Williamson and Robert Lockwood, Jr. on “The King Biscuit Time” radio show on KFFA in Helena, Arkansas. He briefly working with B.B. King in Memphis, barnstormed the south in the 1950s with guitarist Earl Hooker, and in 1953 first recorded the 1928 Clarence “Pinetop” Smith’s “Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie” at Sun Studios in Memphis. That song and nickname became Perkin’s own from then on—through his twelve brilliant years as piano man with Muddy Waters (1969-1980), and beyond to 1980, when Pinetop and other members of Muddy’s band struck out on their own and formed the Legendary Blues Band.

In the interest of full frontal disclosure, I was in the studio in Chicago back in 1986, egging owner (and my boss) Bruce Iglauer to just please walk out of the control room, go into the big studio, stick out his hand and offer Ed and the band a recording contract with Alligator Records right there on the spot. I’m so glad he did. I wrote about that moment in the liner notes to Roughousin’, the full debut album that resulted from a mere four houserockin’ hours in the studio that night. Ed and band were there initially for a one-song contribution to the Alligator anthology to be titled The New Bluebloods. He tore the studio up, the band was a house on fire, it was a rippin’ rent party with a vengeance, and I think I even had a studio hangover the next morning it was so good. So here we are in 2012, eight albums later and Ed, Pookie (his bassist cousin), Kelly Littleton (drums) and Michael Garrett (guitar) are still putting out their full tilt crazy energy in fourteen songs --pursuit, romance, fairness, mistreatin’, revenge—the five stages of blues love best expressed, as far as Ed and the band are concerned, in full on the dance floor.

In his 8th decade as a musician, he went solo at age 75, recording his first full–length American album. It was After Hours (1988, Blind Pig). This album, Heaven, was recorded in a New York City studio at the same time as the After Hours sessions Thanksgiving, 1986, and only released now. Perkins had just left Legendary and Little Mike and the Tornadoes were his backup and touring band.

“Born Loser” and “Weatherman” are favorites, both southern second line barnburners, with slide braggadocio and Ed’s big smile coming through his singing. “House of Cards,” a driving Texas-styled tune, shows off Ed’s controlled slow burn of a sans-slide guitar solo. “If You Change Your Mind” is powerful-- written by J.C. Hutto , Ed’s famous slide-playing uncle—and nephew does his kin right, with tough singing, slashing slide and terrific piano playing by guest Marty Sammon.

Solo on all but four tracks, he brings it all on this confection of familiars—the thundering chords, delicious trills, glissandos and rollicking boogie woogie –he is sly, he is sad, he is strong. On “Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie” he is authoritative, a brilliant carnival barker instructing all in the secrets of the B.W.

There are some deeply felt lyrics here too, especially in a minor key ballad “Life is A Journey” one of eight that Ed cowrote with his soulmate and wife Pam, and a sort of “House of the Rising Sun” vibe on “My Chains Are Gone.”

A nighttime man in a big city, he sings “4 o’clock in the morning, baby what can I do to change your mind?? “4 o’clock in the morning, baby what can I do to change your mind??” Penetrating persistent rolled chords punctuate his question, and amplify the raw vulnerability in his gruff voice.

The exuberance and groove of this band is a beautiful thing—Ed is always pushing the beat just a hair—listen to “Kick Me to the Curb” – a perfect shuffle from a long lived-in rhythm section, an unexpected whoop here or moan there in just the right place, so that you know they all still both feel the music and love to play together. The last track, “Moratorium on Hate,” perhaps inspired by a fellow Chicagoan’s audacity of hope and in the spirit of an election year, is a message song. With all the band singing “we gonna have a referendum against crime, a veto on violence, a moratorium on hate” you gotta believe that Ed and the Imperials, as one of the best ambassadors of Chicago blues travelling all over this needy planet, have a better chance than most at having an effect.

Two songs were given vocal overdubs in 2011. “Since I Fell for You” features the great southern soul singer Otis Clay in a delicate moment, and “ Sittin’ On Top of the World” gives us the last recorded vocal of Perkins’ long time running buddy, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, who passed unexpectedly only a few months after recording this. Perkins and Smith had just won a 2011 Grammy together earlier in the year. Even “Sweet Home Chicago” becomes authentic again, saved by Perkins powerful joyous Roosevelt Sykes-influenced version. This is a gem of an album, and with Perkins passing, only 87 year old piano legend Henry Gray lives on to carry the first generation tradition. 6

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BITS Students Perform at Old Highway 99 Festival! By Tammie Madill On July 28th I went to the Old Highway 99 Festival on Stockton Blvd. Students from the Sacramento Blues Society’s Blues In The Schools program performed the opening act. The “One Eyed Jacks” did a fantastic job. I was really impressed by how great they sounded. These young players took time from their summer vacation to continue playing Jack Ingram (guitar), Vincent Pantages (guitar), Joey Panzda (drums), Nesta the blues. They did an awesome job. Townsend (vocals) and Landon Gonzales (bass) Their teacher, John Ousley from West Campus High School, shared that he did pull it paid off. It seems that BITS is having an impact on them together for practice, but practice they did and the next generation of young bluesmen and women.

International Blues Challenge Competition The preliminary competitions to select a representative band to compete in Memphis during the International Blues Challenge is underway. Round One Winner: Val Starr and the Blues Rockets Round Two Winner: Jeremy Norris & Dangerous Mood Round Three Winner: Sky O’Banion Blues Round Four is coming up! Po’ Boyz Bar & Grill, Saturday, October 13th, 2pm-6pm FINAL: with all four preliminary winners Torch Club, Saturday, November 10th, 2pm-5pm This competition is a great way to get a taste of all the great bands that are members of the Sacramento Blues Society. Come out to the remaining shows and cheer on your favorite.

High Rollin’ Release Party

By Tammie Madill & Liz Walker

Henry Oden on bass, (many of you might know that Henry was one of the founders of the Shasta Blues Society), along with Jeff Minnieweather on drums, laid down a very solid bottom while guitarist Kenny Marchese was ripping it up on his ’57 Stratocaster. Keyboardist Kevin Burton relinquished the keys at one point as Kyle took over.

The Torch Club was the scene of Kyle Rowland’s new CD ”High Rollin” release party on August 26th. Kyle and his veteran band had the standing room only club up and dancing right away. The new cd (Kyle’s second) has 8 out of 11 original songs written by Kyle (including his wonderful tribute “A Mother’s True Love”).

These players bring such experience and talent to the stage that along with Kyle’s harp playing and showmanship create a fantastic show. At one point, The Dennis Jones Band walked in (after their show at the Powerhouse Pub) and Dennis joined Kyle on stage. That showmanship showed when Kyle walked out the front door and crawled back through the window blowing away the whole while. It’s evident to all that our boy Kyle is growing into a wonderful entertainer and humble young man. 7

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Louieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cocktail Lounge

3030 Mather Field Road Rancho Cordova CA

Bluebird Tours Grady O'Bryant 1017 L St. Ste 580 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916)443-8741 office (916)271-2685 cell (916)473-5789 fax www.sactrips.com California Seller of Travel #2084147-40

Northern California Blues Festival e-mail: info@norcalbluesfest.com Website: http://www.norcalbluesfest.com 8

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2012 Blues Blast Music Awards Winners Contemporary Blues CD Of The Year - Janiva Magness Stronger For It Traditional Blues CD Of The Year - Mud Morganfield Son Of The Seventh Son Song Of The Year “I Won't Cry” - Janiva Magness & Dave Darling (Stronger For It - Janiva Magness) Male Blues Artist Of The Year Tab Benoit Female Blues Artist Of The Year Janiva Magness Blues Band Of The Year Trampled Under Foot New Artist Debut Release Sena Ehrhardt Band - Leave The Light On Sean Costello Rising Star Award Mud Morganfield Find the complete list of 2012 Nominees at www.illinoisblues.com/2012bbmanominees

CHECK THIS OUT! Hi there fellow SBS members.

Save the dates

Rick here, your merchandise manager. Did you know that we have fabulous new SBS merchandise available?

4th Round—IBC Competition October 13th Po’ Boyz

Tees & Tanks $20

Finals for IBC November 10 Torch Club

Cool Mug $10

Membership Party December 2nd The Station

Give me a call for size and availability.

Hat Pins $7

I’ll be glad to help you out. 530-321-7197 9

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Support our Band Membersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Hire a Band! Andy Keene & Kinda Blue ajkeane3@aol.com

Randy Carey randrock@prodigy.net; 916-607-0695

Bad Catz www.badcatz.com

Red Moon Band www.facebook.com/pages/REdMOOn/133617156681084

Big Earl and the Cryin\' Shame bigearl@gmail.com Blues Vandals bluesvandals.com Bobby Blues Ray 916-422-5830 Chicken & Dumpling www.chickenanddumpling.net Coyote Slim www.coyoteslim.com Dave Croall & the Soothers rightdave@hotmail.com Diamond Bob & the Alley Sneakers www.diamondbobsblues.com; 408-313-7194 Gary Mendoza Band www.garymendozaband.com; 916-599-9947 Jeramy Norris and The Dangerous Mood www.facebook.com/ JeramyNorrisTheDangerousMood

Ro Harper and the Blues Busters www.facebook.com/Roharpo Rolling Blackouts deborahsingsblues@hotmail.com Sky O'Banion Blues Band www.facebook.com/sky.obanion Spotted Dogs booking@spotteddogmusic.com Sunny Blue Bland Review kingsoftheblues@ymail.com Steve Foster Band Stevefosterband @comcast.net Used Blues Band Sean@myifp.com Val Starr & the Blues Rocket www.bluesrocket.biz Wingnut Adams www.wingnutadams.com/fr_home.cfm

Julie and The Jukes cmoriel@ucdavis.edu Kyle Rowland Band www.kylerockinrowland.com Marshal Wilkerson www.marshalwilkersonband.com O Street Jumps www.myspace.com/OStreetJumpsBand

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Sacramento Blues Society Is Pleased To Acknowledge

our Sponsors and Donors and Thank them for Supporting our Programs

Platinum Sponsor

Private Donor

Carrera Productions

The Read Family

Gold Sponsor

Business Donor

Folsom Telegraph

Grady O’Bryant Bluebird Tours www.sactrips.com

Silver Sponsor M-3 California

Elk Grove Sports Bar 916-685-6103 www.elkgrovesportsbar.com

Byron and Ginny Jobe Custom Guitars

Brenda & Lynzi Taylor 916-987-2886 www.poboyzbarandgrill.com

Crystal Basin Cellars Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Council

Barber Blues 916-258-BLUE (2583) www.barberblues.net

Bronze Sponsor Gotradio.com 916-765-0162

Louie’s Cocktail Lounge 916-262-9151 louiescocktaillouge.com

Roseville Station Lounge www.thestationlounge.net

Nick & JoAnn Jamson San Juan Club www.sanjuanclub.net

Max Moon—CLA Real Estate 916-214-4348

Marina Texeira Torch Club www.torchclub.net

Emmy Sabra—AAA Insurance 916-724-0351 Keller Williams Real Estate 916-782-1000

Bluezzee Tees 530-321-7197 Bluezzee-tees.com

Marta Williams, CPA Damore, Hamric & Schneider, Inc 916-481-2856

John Noxon, Musician Hammond/Leslie sales..service, sound 916-660-6466

The Couch Sports Lounge www.thecouch.net

Arts Education Sponsor/ Donor Sacramento Blues Revue Sacbluesrevue.com

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U. S. POSTAGE PAID SACRAMENTO, CA PERMIT NO. 2149

P. O. Box 60580 Sacramento, CA 95860-0580 Blue Notes! is The official bi-monthly Newsletter of the Sacramento Blues Society. Co-editors Vj Anderson & Jan Kelley Send information for the newsletter to editor@sacblues.com or mail to Editor, P. O. Box 60580 Sacramento, CA 95860-0580

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