Sondra's Blues Harmonica Links

Some local (and not-so-local) blues harmonica links

This list is and will always be incomplete

Help me fill in the blank and missing and to correct any mistakes

by emailing me at: sonnygirl@sonnygirl.com.

Always call clubs in advance to confirm dates, times, ticket info, cover charges, dinner reservations, etc.

MetroActive's online calendar of local events: http://calendar.metroactive.com. Browse 'Music' or search for bands or venues by name or 'blues jam' or 'jam session'.

And MetroActive's Bars, Clubs, and Cafes Guide: http://www.metroactive.com/dining/bars

Check out The Musician's Place's local bands list: http://www.jamsess.com/bands/index.phtml

I’ve moved to the Sierra Foothills, so future updates to the Hotlist will include miscellaneous events from the SF Bay Area, Sacramento area, and some parts of the Sierra Foothills!

Last update: 17 Dec 2006

Update status: Sonnygirl is back! I’m working on updating the links on this page. So far the links above and the Band links are updated. Still to go: updating the clubs, artists, and other sections....

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HOTLIST (scroll below for details in individual entries and links after Hotlist):

San Francisco Bay Area (and beyond)

DECEMBER, 2006

Dec 29 Fri: Blues Farm, Constable Jacks, 9pm-1:30am, 515 Main St., Newcastle, CA; (916) 663-BREW (9385)

Dec 31 Sun: RJ Mischo and his Red Hot Blues Band, New Years at the Mojo Lounge, tickets $10, 3714 Peralta Blvd., Fremont CA; (510)739-1028, www.themojolounge.net

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Bands/Clubs/Artists/Festivals/Classes and Lessons/General Harmonica Gigs Lists/Photographers...

Bands (updated 16 Dec 2006):

Andy Santana and the West Coast Playboys	Andy Santana on guitar and sometimes harmonica. Mellow stage presence, powerful blues harp. Look for him at harmonica blowouts. Plays sometimes at the Torch Club in Sacramento, sometimes in Grass Valley	Photo at the Torch Club: http://www.torchclub.net/gallery/041004torch/Sue_SB_1064
Asylum Street Spankers	Austin, TX based eclectic acoustic swing/blues/jazz/novelty band often travelling to the SF Bay Area. Wammo on harmonica. Everyone on something.	Homepage: http://www.asylumstreetspankers.com/home.html Upcoming gigs: http://www.asylumstreetspankers.com/tour.html
Blues Farm	A Rock, Rhythm, and Blues Band Sacramento based Dave Vibrato, Lead Vocalist/Blues Harp	Homepage: http://www.blues-farm.com/ Upcoming gigs: http://www.blues-farm.com/bluesfarm_gigs.html
Candye Kane		Homepage: http://www.candyekane.com/ Calendar: http://www.candyekane.com/tour.html
Christmas Jug Band		Homepage: http://www.ChristmasJugBand.com Tour Schedule: http://www.christmasjugband.com/live.shtml
Danny Denaro and his Jumpin' Jukes	Sunnyvale, CA based blues harmonica, versatile in all styles! Local performer for over 20 years. Regular gigs in Sunnyvale, Los Gatos, and other local areas	Homepage: http://www.jumpinjukes.com/ Upcoming gigs: http://www.jumpinjukes.com/gigs.html MetroActive search (shows some venues): http://calendar.metroactive.com/ Search for 'Danny Denaro'
Gary Smith Blues Band	The Godfather of West Coast Blues Harmonica	Album promo page: http://www.messaround.com/album2.html Artist Interview: http://www.harmonicasessions.com/dec03/interview.html
Felonius Smith Combo (aka Felonius Smith Blues Trio)	Acoustic trio, Mark Fenichel on harmonica	Homepage (I can get to the homepage, but the links from there don’t work for me): http://www.feloniussmith.com/ Felonius has moved to Colorado, email for occasional Felonius Smith Revue gigs: califelonius@comcast.net
Jazzmania	Jazz band previously playing in Mountain View and nearby towns
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers	Schedule Hotline: (415) 979-8797	http://www.lavaysmith.com/welcomemain.html Click 'Calendar'
Mojo Madness	(650) 341-3282 (James) for booking and gig list.	Homepage: www.mojomadness.com Upcoming Dates: http://www.mojomadness.com/Pages/Dates/index.htm
Norton Buffalo & The Knockouts		Homepage: http://www.norton-buffalo.com Tour Dates: http://www.norton-buffalo.com/performancelistings.html
RJ Mischo and his Red Hot Blues Band	Great showman and one of my favorite harmonica performers!	Homepage: http://www.rjblues.com/ Upcoming Gigs: http://www.rjblues.com/gigs.htm

Clubs (some links outdated, clubs starting with letters A-E updated 16 Dec 2006):

Apple Jack's	8790 La Honda Road (Hwy 84) La Honda, CA 94020 (650) 747-0331	Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/4495 Map: http://www.hackbondo.com/applejac.htm
The Bean Scene	186 S. Murphy, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408) 738-4523	MetroActive Calendar page is gone. Please contact me at sonnygirl@sonnygirl.com if you have information on their live music or whether they’re still in business.
Biscuit & Blues Restaurant/Bar/Blues Club	401 Mason St San Francisco, CA 94102 at Geary in the heart of the Theatre District. Mon-Fri 5:00pm- 2:00am Sat-Sun 6:00pm- 2:00am Tel: (415) 292-2583 (BLUE) for ticket information and reservations. Fax: (415) 292-4701 Email: sfblues@pacbell.net	Homepage: http://biscuitsandblues.com/ Monthly Calendar: http://biscuitsandblues.com/lineup.html
Cafe du Nord	2170 Market St., San Francisco, CA. 415-861-5016 for dinner reservations.	Homepage: www.cafedunord.com Calendar: http://www.cafedunord.com/?temp=calendar
The Catalyst	1011 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-423-1338	Homepage: http://www.catalystclub.com/ Click 'Concerts' for upcoming shows and ticket info
The Cats Restaurant & Lounge	17533 Santa Cruz Highway Los Gatos, CA (408) 354-4020	MetroActive Description: http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/06.22.05/bars-0525-lg.html
Elk Grove Brewery	9085 Elk Grove Blvd. Elk Grove, California 95624 (916) 685-ALES (2537) FAX (916) 685-7544 jackie@elkgrovebrewery.com	Homepage: http://www.elkgrovebrewery.com/ Calendar: http://elkgrovebrewery.com/home/brewery/entertainment.htm
Espresso Garden Cafe [permanently closed]	814 S. Bascom Ave. San Jose, CA 408.298.0808	Homepage: http://www.espresso-garden.com Calendars: Links to calendar pages for music that used to play at the Espresso Garden Cafe http://www.espresso-garden.com/cal.html
Freight & Salvage Coffee House	1111 Addison, Berkeley, CA (510) 548-1761 info@freightandsalvage.org	Homepage: http://www.thefreight.org Schedules: From the homepage, under “View schedules and artists info:”: Click on ‘OUR NEXT SHOW’ or the name of an upcoming month.
Half Moon Brewing Company	At Pillar Point Harbor, 390 Capistrano Ave., Princeton By-The-Sea, CA; off Hwy 1, between Half Moon Bay and Pacifica Reservations: (650) 728-BREW (7239)	Homepage: http://www.hmbbrewingco.com/index.html Events: http://www.hmbbrewingco.com/events.html http://www.hmbbrewingco.com/calendar.htm http://www.hmbbrewingco.com/events.html
JJ's Blues	3539 Stevens Creek San Jose, CA (408) 243-6441	Homepage: www.jjsblues.org Calendar: http://www.jjsblues.org/calendar.html MetroActive Calendar: http://calendar.metroactive.com/place.asp?id=6899 Musician's Place Calendar: http://themusiciansplace.com/clubs/cal/index.phtml?CID=3&P=0&Y=2&M=1&S=0 Bay Area Jam Sessions: http://www.jennifermir.com/jam_the_bay.html Scroll for JJs
The Loading Zone	2048 Broadway (Jefferson & Main), Redwood City, CA 94063 (650) 299-9117 (650) 299-9156 (FAX)	Homepage: http://loadingzone.ohgolly.com/sys-home.asp MetroActive Calendar: http://calendar.metroactive.com/place.asp?id=7148 MetroActive Blues Jam Session Calendar: http://calendar.metroactive.com/events.asp?id=25262
Los Altos Bar & Grill	169 Main Street, Los Altos, CA 94022-2912 650-948-4332	Map: http://waiter.com/wwwsys/losaltosbarandgrill/losaltosbarandgrill1.location.html
Lou's Pier 47 Restaurant and Blues Club	300 Jefferson Street, Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA 415.771.LOUS	Homepage: http://www.louspier47.com/ Click 'Music Calendar' for Lou's calendar
The Makeout Room	3225 22^nd Street, San Francisco, CA 94110 415.647.2888	Homepage: http://www.makeoutroom.com Click 'Shows' for calendar (the hompage may go directly to the calendar)
The Mojo Lounge	3714 Peralta Blvd. Fremont, CA 510-739-1028	Homepage: http://www.themojolounge.net/ Calendar: http://www.themojolounge.net/EventsCalendar.asp
Moe's Alley Blues Club	1535 Commercial Way Santa Cruz, CA 831-479-1854	Homepage and Calendar: http://www.moesalley.com/
Murphy's Law	135 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 408-736-3822	MetroActive Calendar: http://calendar.metroactive.com/place.asp?id=7612
The Nevada Club Blues Saloon	108 West Main Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-274-0947 info@nevadaclub.com Andy Santana plays there sometimes	Homepage: http://www.nevadaclub.com/ Calendar: http://www.nevadaclub.com/Calendar/calendar.htm
The Old Princeton Landing	460 Capistrano Road, Princeton-by-the-Sea, CA (650) 728-9103 Go North on Hwy 1 from 92, past 1st light, 3-4 miles another light, go left.	Map: http://www.hackbondo.com/opl.htm
101 Club	821 W El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94040 (650) 965-1101
Palookaville Closed for renovations	1133 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4431 info@palookaville.com	Homepage: http://www.palookaville.com/ Click 'Events' for the Palookaville calendar Click 'Tickets' for ticket info
Paradise Lounge	308 11^th St., San Francisco, CA 94103 Corner of Folsom and 11^th (415) 621-1912 Atmosphere: 3 stage, live music, open mike, glam Pay parking garage: 11^th and Bryant.	bayarea.citysearch.com listing: http://bayarea.citysearch.com/profile?id=868375 MetroActive search (shows some gigs): http://calendar.metroactive.com/ Search for 'Paradise Lounge'
Rancho Nicasio	On the Town Square Nicasio, CA 94946 (415) 662-2219	Homepage: http://www.ranchonicasio.com Click 'Music Calendar'
The Roadhouse Blues & Rock Cafe	1102 W Evelyn Ave Sunnyvale, CA (408) 739-1186 Blues Jam Session Every Th 9:30-12:30/1:30 (may be outdated) Call for schedule updates	Bay Area Jam Sessions: http://www.jennifermir.com/jam_the_bay.html Scroll for the Roadhouse MetroActive search (shows jam sessions and karaoke): http://calendar.metroactive.com/ Search for 'Roadhouse Blues'
St. James Gate	1410 Old County Road, Belmont, CA 94002 Tel: 650-592-5923 Fax: 650-592-5966 carole@stjamesgate.com	Homepage: http://www.stjamesgate.com Calendar: http://www.stjamesgate.com/action.html (may be outdated)
Torch Club	904 15th Street Sacramento, CA (916) 443-2797	Homepage: http://www.torchclub.net/ Calendar (including Showcase Blues Jam - Sundays, 5pm): http://www.torchclub.net/cal/
Yoshi's	510 Embarcadero West Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 238-9200 yoshis@yoshis.com	Homepage: http://www.yoshis.com/ Calendar: http://www.yoshis.com/frame_calendar.html

Artists (some links outdated):

Andy Just	Powerful blues harp, powerful vocals	Biography: http://www.harmonicamasterclass.com/just.htm
Andy Santana	Blues guitar and harmonica, plays at local harmonica blowouts, very mellow stage presence	Minor mention in Jr. Watson blurb: http://www.nevadaclub.com/Calendar/JR__WATSON/jr__watson.html
Byrd of Paradise	Local blues radio show host and harp player.
Charlie Musselwhite	Grammy Award winner and internationally renowned blues harmonica player. Versatile international blues styles.	Homepage: http://www.charlie-musselwhite.com/ Gig list: http://www.charlie-musselwhite.com/cm_gigs.htm
Danny Denaro	All styles blues harmonica	Homepage: http://www.jumpinjukes.com/ Upcoming gigs: http://www.jumpinjukes.com/gigs.html
Gary Smith	West coast blues harmonica legend, plays at local harmonica blowouts	Album promo page: http://www.messaround.com/album2.html
James Cotton	Grammy Award winner and master blue harp player	Homepage: http://www.jamescottonsuperharp.com/ Gig list: http://www.jamescottonsuperharp.com/schedule.htm
James (Loose) Reed	Amazingly intense harp player and vocalist for Mojo Madness - "an education in the blues"	SFBluesNet Page: http://www.sfblues.net/MojoMadness.html Postcard Calendar: http://home.earthlink.net/~freybjorg/mojomadness.postcard.htm
Little John Chrisley	Wild South Bay blues harmonica virtuoso	Homepage: http://www.littlejohnblues.homestead.com Calendar: http://www.littlejohnblues.homestead.com/Calendar.html
Mark Hummel	One of the best blues harmonica players around, plays at and runs local harmonica blowouts	Promopage: http://www.cwareno.com/hummel.htm
Norton Buffalo	Harmonica player used to play with Steve Miller, now has his own band, The Knockouts	Homepage: http://www.norton-buffalo.com/ Tour dates: http://www.norton-buffalo.com/tour.html
RJ Mischo	Great showman and one of my favorite harmonica performers! Plays at local harmonica blowouts	Homepage: http://hometown.aol.com/rjmischo1 Click 'Live Dates'
Toots Thielemans	Award winning harmonica soloist and whistler for film scores (including Midnight Cowboy), commercials (whistler for Old Spice), and TV (Sesame Street)	Homepage: http://www.tootsthielemans.com/ Agenda: http://www.tootsthielemans.com/agenda/agenda.html

Theatres (some links outdated):

The Stanford Theatre	221 University Avenue Palo Alto, CA (650) 324-3700	Homepage (includes calendar): http://www.swixo.com/stanford/
The Carriage House Theatre	15400 Montalvo Rd. Villa Montalvo Saratoga, CA 95071 Parking is free on the Montalvo grounds at 15400 Montalvo Rd. Gates open 30 minutes prior to show time. Box Office: (408) 961-5800	Homepage: http://www.villamontalvo.org/ Events Schedule: http://www.villamontalvo.org/events.html ticketmaster.com venue information: http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/nca/30/index.html

Festivals (some links outdated):

Metro Fountain Blues Festival (2002 info not yet avail)	Every Spring (May 12, 2001) San Jose State University San Jose, CA Largest free festival in CA Call (408) 924-6262	SJSU Events page: http://as.sjsu.edu/lowspd/newupcoming/index.html Blues Festival 2001: http://as.sjsu.edu/lowspd/newupcoming/bluesfest01.html
Santa Cruz Blues Festival Check Jan 2002 for 2002 update on their homepage.	Every Spring May 26-27, 2001 9^th Annual Aptos Village Park (831) 479-9814 (after March 1^st, 2001) for tickets and more info	Homepage: www.santacruzbluesfestival.com Advance ticket registration and artist line-up to be available: March 1st, 2001
San Francisco Blues Festival 2001 Update!	2001 San Francisco Blues Festival September 22-23 11a.m.-6p.m. each day Great Meadow, Fort Mason, San Francisco Free Waterfront Blues Concert: Friday, September 21, 2001 Noon - 1:30 P.M. Justin Herman Plaza Embarcadero Four (415) 979-5588 for recorded Ticket & Festival information Mailing Address: P.O. Box 460608 San Francisco, CA 94146-0608	Homepage: http://www.sfblues.com/ More ticket info: http://www.sfblues.com/tickets/
San Mateo County Fair & Floral Fiesta	August 10-19 2001 2495 South Delaware, San Mateo For event information, call 650-574-3247 For ticket information, call 650-574-0271	Homepage: http://www.sanmateocountyfair.com Concerts: http://www.sanmateocountyfair.com/concerts.html Fair Tickets Box Office: http://www.sanmateocountyfair.com/tickets.html
Hohner and Mark Hummel Present: Blues Harmonica Blowout 2003 (2003 info not available yet)	Annual Harmonica Blowout Every January - Sites and Harp talent vary each year "Please call clubs for showtimes & Cover Charge"	Yoshi's calendar: http://www.yoshis.com/frame_calendar.html Click: 'Mark Hummel's 10th Annual Blues Harmonica Blowout 2001' Then Click on the Coming to the Show information sheet Tickets: Buy Tickets Now Yoshi's Box Office (510) 238-9200 http://www.yoshis.com/frame_tickets.html Or: BASS Tickets (925)-762-BASS www.ticketweb.com
Mustard Festival at Savanah Chanelle Winery 2001	Congress Springs Rd off Hwy 9, Saratoga March 24, 25 (Sat, Sun), 2001 $15.00 incl's parking, 5 wine & food tokens. Felonius Smith playing at 11AM, more great music follows Great food/wine	Felonius Smith's calendar: http://www.feloniussmith.com/calendar.html
Russian River Blues Festival 2001	Johnson's Beach, Guerneville, CA June 23-24, 2001	Homepage: http://www.russianriverbluesfest.com/

Classes and Lessons (some links outdated):

Beginning Blues Harmonica Instructor: Dave Broida	Foothiil College and many other SF Bay Area regional Adult/Community Education programs Wednesday, July 18, 2001, 6 to 9:30 p.m., Foothill College, 3307. $39 ($12 materials fee payable to instructor; bring a key of C harmonica or $11 to buy one from instructor). Call (408) 864-8817 or 864-8966 to register by phone or http://www.deanza.fhda.edu/classes/short/registration1.html for registration instructions.	Foothill & DeAnza Community Education homepage: http://www.deanza.fhda.edu/classes/short/shortcourses.html Search 'harmonica' then click 'Arts & Humanities' and scroll for course description if offered (Beginning Blues Harmonica)
Harmonica Masterclass Owner and Primary Instructor: Dave Barrett	Morgan Hill, CA based, touring workshops Classes, Workshops, Private Lessons, and Instructional Materials	Homepage: http://www.harmonicamasterclass.com

General Harmonica Gig Lists (some links outdated, and will add more from Sacramento/Sierra Foothils areas):

Danny's Gig List	Harmonica gigs worldwide posted on Harp-L mailing list	http://www.island.net/%7Eblues/dgigs.htm (no longer at this URL. Anyone know if this still exists? Please email me.)
Joe's Blues Page	Includes links to bands, fesstivals, harmonica blowouts, etc.	http://members.home.net/jlemko/

Photographers (links may be outdated, but should be contactable from harmonica masterclass or School of the Blues):

Mark Fenichel

Mark has photographed many of the best harmonica and blues players who've passed through the local area Contact Mark through the Harmonica Masterclass Company or harmonicaman1@yahoo.com

Harmonica Masterclass Workshop 2000 photos by Mark Fenichel: http://www.harmonicamasterclass.com/2000.htm