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Click here for a printable version of our lineup!
 Friday February 3
Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute with Alan Iglesias
8pm & 10pm $20
> Artist
Website
Alan Iglesias began playing guitar professionally in ‘69 and toured the New England area extensively with local blues-based rock bands. Feeling a strong affinity for Stevie’s music and stage show, he decided to reproduce a Stevie Ray Vaughan concert as close as possible to the real thing. He considers it a privilege to have the opportunity to play such soulful music in Stevie’s style and that he and the band is helping to keep the legacy of Stevie and his music alive.
 Saturday February 4
Barry "The Fish" Melton
8pm & 10pm $20
> Artist
Website
Hello, my name is Barry Melton. In 1965, I co-founded the musical group Country Joe and the Fish, and began my career as a guitarist and singer, recording and touring with "Country Joe" McDonald as a duo and with various bands, with my own bands and as a solo artist under the name Barry "The Fish" Melton. I have continued to play music during the course of my legal career, including a long stint with Dinosaurs, a band of 60s veterans that has at various times included Peter Albin and David Getz ( Big Brother and the Holding Company), John Cipollina and Greg Elmore (Quicksilver Messenger Service), Papa John Creech (Hot Tuna and Jefferson Starship), Spencer Dryden (Jefferson Airplane and New Riders of the Purple Sage), Robert Hunter (Grateful Dead lyricist), David LaFlamme (It's a Beautiful Day), Jerry Miller (Moby Grape) and the incomparable Merl Saunders on keyboards.
 Tuesday February 7
Fat Tuesday Band
8pm & 10pm $15
The FTB presents the great funky vibe of New Orleans’ best music from groups like The Meters, The Neville Brothers, Fats Domino, Rebirth Brass Band, Satchmo, and Professor Longhair. The Fat Tuesday Band also features a series of exciting guest musicians including; New Orleans piano man Randy Craig, and soul singer Edna Love among others.
 Wednesday February 8
Daniel Castro
8pm & 10pm $15
> Artist
Website
“The Blues... It's embedded in every note he plays. And he's spread the gospel all over. Beloved by fans and musicians throughout the West Coast Daniel Castro is fiercely loyal to them all. Backed by a tight well seasoned band, a Daniel Castro show is both passionate and electrifying. Daniel Castro is one of the most dynamic blues guitarist performing in the West Coast.” - Willie Brown - President, Sacramento Blues Society
“He's got that real deal feel, Daniel Castro is a great musician and entertainer.” - Elvin Bishop
 Thursday February 9
Craig Horton
8pm & 10pm $15
> Artist
Website
Craig Horton is one of America’s truly legendary Blues musicians. Born in the deep South, he picked cotton, played church music in the American South where the Blues originated, and followed that with a 50 year career in Blues music.
He has survived many of his famous contemporaries. He played with or opened for many of the world’s most famous bands. These include: Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Muddy Waters, Etta James, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Diana Washington, Phenius Nuban, The Dells, and many many others.
He has played many of the world’s major Blues festivals. These include: San Francisco Blues Festival – 3 times, Head line Poster-Advertised lead performing act, SF Blues Festival, Lucerne Blues Festival – Switzerland, Cisco Ottawa Blues Festival – Canada, Utrcht Blues Festival – Holland, Delta Blues Festival – San Jose, California USA, Duvel Beer Blues Festival – Belgium, Victoria Canada Blues Festival – Canada, About 10 other Blues Festivals.
He was chosen to play the Blues at the Chicago parade for US President John F. Kennedy. Craig Horton embodies the soul, essence and history of the Blues.
 Friday February 10
Maria Muldaur
8pm & 10pm $22
> Artist
Website
Best known for her seductive '70s pop staple "Midnight at the Oasis," Maria Muldaur has since become an acclaimed interpreter of just about every stripe of American roots music: blues, early jazz, gospel, folk, country, R&B, and so on. While these influences were certainly present on her more pop-oriented '70s recordings (as befitting her Greenwich Village folkie past), Muldaur came into her own as a true roots music stylist during the '90s, when she developed a particular fascination with the myriad sounds of Louisiana. On the string of well-received albums that followed, Muldaur tied her eclecticism together with the romantic sensuality that had underpinned much of her best work ever since the beginning of her career.
 Saturday
February 11
Delta Wires
8pm & 10pm $20
> Artist
Website
The DELTA WIRES is a big, high-energy harmonica and horns blues band from the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area. They were Finalists out of 100 band representatives from blues societies all over the world, in the Blues Foundation's 2008 International Blues Challenge held in Memphis TN, and were voted "BEST BAND" Oakland/East Bay in Oakland Magazine's annual readers' poll, and also by the East Bay Express. The DELTA WIRES have recorded 5 CDs, and have appeared at the San Francisco Blues Festival, the Russian River Blues Festival, the Monterey Bay Blues Festival 8 times, headlined the Shasta Blues Society’s Redding Blues by the River Festival, have played Crescent City Blues Festival, Central Valley Blues Festival, Oakland Blues and Heritage Festival, Sacramento Jazz Festival and Jubilee, and many others.
 Sunday February 12
Nathan James
8pm & 10pm $15
> Artist
Website
Whether you catch Nathan James as his true one man band playing guitar, stomping out time on his custom suitcase drum set, while singing and blowing harmonica, or leading his new trio, you are sure to be moved and impressed with the unique energy and soul that he possesses. Nathan James is a well respected and experienced artist in his field. For over 12 years now, he has successfully made his living solely on specializing in his passion of blues, and American roots music. Starting his career of full time gigging musician at age 18, Nathan is no stranger to live performance.
 Tuesday February 14
Valentine's Day with Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers
8pm & 10pm $20
> Artist
Website
A SF favorite swing and jump blues band. Smith began singing in 1988 with an L.A. trio called Bogrumpus, which featured pianist/arranger Chris Siebert; by the following year, Siebert and Smith moved to San Francisco and began building the Skillet Lickers' large following. Lavay Smith is internationally recognized as The Queen of classic Jazz & Blues in the authentic style of the 1940's and 1950's. Lavay's last album received a prestigious 4 & 1/2 Star review in Downbeat magazine and reached the top 10 on the National Billboard Jazz Charts. This is one of San Francisco’s favorite swing and jump blues band.
 Wednesday February 15
Todd Wolfe
8pm & 10pm $15
> Artist
Website
Now, with his newest band Todd Wolfe picks up where he left off 10 years ago with his original Bluesadelic-jamming sounds! "Borrowed Time", Todd's fifth album just released by Blues Leaf Records in North America and soon to be released in Europe by Hypertension Music is mostly comprised of original songs including "California" a song that Todd wrote with Sheryl Crow. Also included on the upcoming release is "Baby I'm Down" a Felix Pappalardi song from the first Leslie West album "Mountain". Todd is joined by Leslie on guitar and vocals for the remaking of this song making it a new classic! Also joining Todd and the band on the new disc is Susan Cowsill and Mary Hawkins. Todd's songs have been covered by a diverse range of artist such as, Deborah Coleman, Larry McCray, Faith Hill & Stevie Nicks.
 Thursday February 16
Friday February 17
Grady Champion
8pm & 10pm $20
> Artist
Website
Grady Champion, with his works and performances celebrating three 2012 BMA nominations, and two Southern Soul Awards nominations, is an electrifying blues singer and harmonica virtuoso. He has been compared to Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin' Wolf, Lionel Ritchei, and Smokie Robinson. In 5 years folks will be comparing other artists to Grady. His unique style and amazing voice leave audiences stunned! Right now you can hear him everywhere. His new album “Dreamin’” is making a lot of noise on Blues, R&B, Soul, and Roots charts across America, in Europe, China, and Japan. In fact in August it was the #1 album on Sirius XM's Bluesville, and the infectious chart topping Song of the Year nominee "Make That Monkey Jump" is played in dance clubs everywhere.
The 2010 International Blues Challenge winner is accompanied by one of the best young blues bands in America. Grady and the band have had the pleasure of playing on the Legendary Blues Cruise, the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival, and in the Chicago Blues Festival 3 times. His powerful, soulful and raspy voice is simply soul stirring. He is a master of mood and emotions and connects with his audience like no one else.
 Saturday February 18
John Nemeth
8pm & 10pm $20
> Artist
Website
John Németh is a rising blues star; a singer steeped in the tradition and reminiscent of B.B. King, Ray Charles and Junior Parker, and a harmonica player of riveting intensity and virtuosity. His decade long career has found him opening for Robert Cray, Keb Mo', and Earl Thomas.
 Saturday February 18
Jessica Johnson @ THE UNION ROOM
8:30pm $12
> Artist
Website
"Singer Songwriter Jessica Johnson “is definitely no cookie cutter singer; her voice is far superior to even some of the commercial singers who are already established and, at such a young age, she is a seasoned vet on the music scene, her bright, vibrant voice reaches all generations." - Justin Langston, Sidewalks TV.
Tuesday February 21
Mardi Gras with the Fat Tuesday Band!
8pm & 10pm $15
The FTB presents the great funky vibe of New Orleans’ best music from groups like The Meters, The Neville Brothers, Fats Domino, Rebirth Brass Band, Satchmo, and Professor Longhair. The Fat Tuesday Band also features a series of exciting guest musicians including; New Orleans piano man Randy Craig, and soul singer Edna Love among others.
 Wednesday February 22
Mitch Woods
8pm & 10pm $15
> Artist
Website
Mr. Boogie’s back in town! Mitch Woods is a pianist who is the foremost proponent of the West Coast big-band swing sound, with decades of excellent touring and recording work to his name and a recently-expanding interest in his work with living pioneers of the sound, such as Herb Hardesty from the Fats Domino Band.
 Thursday February 23
Junior Watson
8pm & 10pm $18
> Artist
Website
Junior Watson, West Coast Blues Guitar Legend and former member of Canned Heat!
With over 40 years of experience, Junior Watson has reached cult status. Junior has done what all great artists have done: melting diverse styles to create a style all his own. With influences as diverse as Tiny Grimes, Oscar Moore, Bill Jennings, Rene Hall, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Guitar Slim, Earl Hooker and others he has truly created one of the most unique and original guitar voices to come along in years. Besides his mastery of blues and swing he often adds his own cartoon-like twist to everything he plays. You'll never know what he will do and when asked he doesn't know himself. His energy and playing gives you a feeling of reckless abandonment. As he was once quoted "like a train off the tracks". His artist resume is as large as it is impressive. A founding member of The Mighty Flyers he stayed with the band for ten years. He then left to join Canned Heat for ten years. He then toured for a while with LA-based harmonica player/vocalist Lynwood Slim. All along the way he has backed up and recorded with the who's-who of the blues. His list of musical endeavors include backing up and recording with Big Mama Thorton, George Smith, Jimmy Rogers, Shakey Jake, Luther Tucker, Charlie Musselwhite, Kim Wilson, William Clark and there's more. Suffice to say the list is very extensive. In the past Junior has always been the sideman or featured artist. For the first time in his career he has a band that is taking the back seat and having Junior do all the driving. For the first time you can hear this amazing, original artist wail all night long. This fact alone is exciting and when unleashed, Junior will prove to the rest of the blues community what his cult status is all about.
 Friday February 24
Paula Harris
8pm & 10pm $20
> Artist
Website
Paula has blazed into the “Blues Scene” like a meteor! With two different bands- she won not only the Monterey Blues Festival’s “2012 Battle of the Bands”- but also The Golden Gate Blues Society’s International Blues Challenge Competition. And she did them both in one week! Paula had already made a name for herself in the Jazz Community when she worked for two years as resident vocalist at San Francisco’s Iconic venue “ The Top of the Mark” with Grammy and People’s choice award nominee- Ricardo Scales. Paula will be representing the Bay Area at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis 2012.
 Saturday February 25
Earl Thomas & The Blues Ambassadors
8pm & 10pm $22
> Artist
Website
With their debut cd "Introducing The Blues Ambassadors" peaking at #12 on the Living Blues Radio chart, stunning reviews, regular rotation on Sirius/XM Radio over 500 terrestrial radio stations across the country, The Blues Ambassadors are fast becoming a national sensation. People are talking about this slick bay area blues band, their dynamic stage show, and interesting cultural mix of African American, Middle Eastern, European, and Latino musicians. Their "last Saturday of the month" residency is the hot ticket in San Francisco drawing regular SRO crowds of dedicated fans. Lead singer Earl Thomas sums up their success, "We just set a goal that within a year our show would be so popular that the only way to get in to see it was if you knew somebody!" Earl Thomas & Blues Ambassadors is the show you do not want to miss! Reservations highly recommended.
 Tuesday February 28
Alvon
8pm & 10pm $15
> Artist
Website
Alvon Johnson: 2005 Guitar Player of the Year, Former vocalist with the Rock and Roll Hall of fame group "The Coasters", Regional winner of the Guitar Centers "King of the Blues" national contest in 2006 and 2007, his CD “The Blues Grew up was nominated for Outstanding Blues Album 2004 and Voted in top ten CD in Japan in 2005. His latest CD Guitars and Cars was voted in top ten CD’s of 2008 by the prestigious Blues magazine “Real Blues ”.His early influences were Guitar players such as Wes Montgomery, Andre Segovia, Charlie Christian, and of course Jimi Hendrix. His vocalist influences were Joe Williams, Johnny Hartman, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra. His performances have been described as :
This is one man that can send any woman out of her mind with his soulful voice and moving guitar music. If you have ever seen and heard Alvon, then you know his singing and playing his guitar can send you into ecstasy with his soft, soothing sexy voice and then turn you into a wild woman with his magnificent guitar playing and body movements. This is a true showman, and he gives his all in all of his performances. If you have not been to one of his shows, you owe yourself this one pleasurable evening with a man that can change your life in just one night. You will be glad you did. Described by a Fan…….
 Wednesday February 29
Bobby Radcliff
8pm & 10pm $15
> Artist
Website
When BOBBY RADCLIFF’s first album on the revered Black Top label hit record stores all over the world, critics declared him the next in a long line of guitar heroes. Jazz-lovers awarded him a coveted five-star review in downbeat, New York rockers took him to heart for his edgy energy, and blues fans everywhere knew their favorite music was alive and well.
 Thursday March 1
Friday March 2
Joe Louis Walker
8pm & 10pm $22
> Artist
Website
Witness to the Blues, released one year ago on his debut for Stony Plain and also produced by Duke Robillard, generated enormous critical acclaim and hit #1 on the Living Blues magazine radio chart. It was recently voted as the fifth best blues album of the year in the annual Down Beat Critics’ Poll. “Joe Louis Walker has established himself as one of the preeminent bluesmen of his generation, an artist who has invariably manages to keep the music fresh,” wrote the Philadelphia Inquirer in its review. Blues Revue called him “one of contemporary blues’ most dynamic and innovative musicians, releasing consistently exciting music. No matter what he’s singing, Walker’s churchy approach is soulful, heartfelt and spellbinding.” And Blurt summed it up by declaring Walker “a phenomenal guitarist, a singer with a warm, soulful voice, a solid songwriter and a dynamic showman.”
 Wednesday March 7
Mike Zito
8pm & 10pm $18
> Artist
Website
Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, Mike Zito was immersed in the gritty sounds of the south side that would unknowingly become the groundwork of his future in music. Like the legends before him, music has coursed through his veins from the early age of five, when he began singing and performing. It didn’t take long for him to discover his instrument of choice – electric guitar – after receiving a Van Halen record for his birthday. His education and journey were just starting – little did he know he would find himself among such legends at a local guitar shop just out of high school. “Everyone from Chuck Berry to Bennie Smith came in that store,” Zito shares of his experience. “I soaked up the sounds of that store and began building my own style.
 Thursday March 8
Harvey Mandel Birthday Bash
8pm & 10pm $22
> Artist
Website
Legendary guitar virtuoso Harvey Mandel, aka "The Snake," truly one of the most distinctive and innovative musicians, continues to perform throughout the world, captivating audiences with his inventive style of electric guitar playing. A pioneer of modern electric blues from Chicago, Harvey Mandel developed and mastered sustained and controlled feedback, displaying both extroversion and musical virtuosity. He has performed with many blues legends including Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, Albert King, and Buddy Guy. Harvey Mandel, "The King Of Sustain", has been cited as a major influence by many of today's music superstars. The critics call him "an unsung hero," "a hugely influential but almost forgotten giant of instrumental rock" and "the best known unknown in pop guitar." As roots music has gained prominence through the 90's, purists such as Mandel have had the opportunity to forge a path of musical integrity and expose new audiences to the original Harvey Mandel sound!
 Friday March 9
John Lee Hooker Jr.
8pm & 10pm $22
> Artist
Website
Two time Grammy Nominee John Lee Hooker Jr. is an amazing blues singer and son of the legendary John Lee Hooker. From the gravely blues of the Detroit streets to a new era of sound; from the shadow of his father's accomplishments to standing apart from his namesake; from criminal to crime-fighter; from San Quentin to the Red Carpet, its no wonder the album is called All Odds Against Me. John Lee Hooker Jr. has built upon his colorful past as he continues to distinguish himself as a contemporary "Bluesman." John Lee Hooker Jr. has been nominated for a 2008 Grammy for best contemporary blues album.
 Saturday March 10
Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers
8pm & 10pm $22
> Artist
Website
Don't make the mistake of thinking of Rod Piazza as one of the "young turks" of the blues, or part of the "new generation" of blues greats. At this point in his career, Piazza has been recording longer than his mentor George "Harmonica" Smith did, or Sonny Boy Williamson (either of them!), or Big Walter Horton. He's been making records for more years than Little Walter was alive. Piazza is a tried-and-true, dyed-in-the-wool blues veteran with credentials that are second to none. Piazza has set a standard for harmonica virtuosity that has established him as one of the most influential living blues harp players. He's consistently surrounded himself with players who bring out the best he has to offer, and epitomize the very best in blues: fresh, swinging, tasteful, exciting and creative. The core of his band has been together for over three decades, and developed the kind of musical telepathy that simply cannot exist without years of experience on the bandstand and in the studio. The Mighty Flyers are a well-oiled machine, with Piazza in the driver's seat.
 Friday March 16
Keith Crossan
8pm & 10pm $20
> Artist
Website
After a million miles of traveling, ten thousand gigs and 11 records with the Tommy Castro Band I decided to make my own. I've named it "Beatnik Jungle". The title refers to an area in San Francisco called North Beach. This is the neighborhood where the band got it's start. There were three bars: The Lost and Found, the Grant and Green and The Saloon ( which still has blues 7 nights a week) that supported a great blues scene. It is the place where the great poets and writers of the Beat era produced their works. Hence, the Beatnik part of the title. During the early 90's, when I worked there with Tommy and the band, I found it was still a place full of great writers, poets, painters and musicians, but also it could be a very dangerous place for me. Hence, the Jungle part.
 Friday March 23
Shane Dwight
8pm & 10pm $20
> Artist
Website
Born on the East Side of San Jose and raised on a horse ranch in Morgan Hill, California, it was a tough decision for Shane to pack up and move to Nashville to further pursue his musical career. But Shane immediately fell in love with Music City and knew it was the right decision. Within six months of living there, he quickly earned a reputation as a “guitarslinger.” The Nashville City Paper called him: “One of Music City’s prime guitar warriors, Shane Dwight excels in numerous situations from story songs and laments to explosive workouts and fiery duels. Shane Dwight’s playing and singing is consistently stellar, and frequently magnificent.” It doesn’t seem to matter what town Shane lives in or performs in, the critics always seem to agree: “He plays a mean guitar, whether he’s rocking, delving into roots, alt-country, R&B, or hitting you in the gut with searing, straight-ahead blues… he plays and sings with charisma, heart, and energy.” (Toledo Blade)
Saturday March 31
Earl Thomas & The Blues Ambassadors
8pm & 10pm $22
> Artist
Website
With their debut cd "Introducing The Blues Ambassadors" peaking at #12 on the Living Blues Radio chart, stunning reviews, regular rotation on Sirius/XM Radio over 500 terrestrial radio stations across the country, The Blues Ambassadors are fast becoming a national sensation. People are talking about this slick bay area blues band, their dynamic stage show, and interesting cultural mix of African American, Middle Eastern, European, and Latino musicians. Their "last Saturday of the month" residency is the hot ticket in San Francisco drawing regular SRO crowds of dedicated fans. Lead singer Earl Thomas sums up their success, "We just set a goal that within a year our show would be so popular that the only way to get in to see it was if you knew somebody!" Earl Thomas & Blues Ambassadors is the show you do not want to miss! Reservations highly recommended.
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