San Luis Obispo Blues Society Upcoming Events Saturday, April 21, 2001 James Harman Opening Band:  The Blues Angels SLO Vets Hall 801 Grand Avenue San Luis Obispo 8PM, Tickets at the door. Members $10, Non-members $12

JAMES HARMAN BAND.  James Harman is a “dynamo of jump-jive lingo, perpetrator of more than 250 live-wire club shows a year, and one of the keepers of the real-deal blues vibe” (Blues Access).  His special demeanor has earned him the name “Icepick James”.  When he is “on”, there isn't anybody better, smoother, or cooler in the blues.  His performances have a kinetic vitality - the energy leaps like lightening from the microphones to your feet.

Singer, songwriter, and harmonica player extraordinaire, James Harman has been a key performer on the Southern California Blues scene since the 1970s.  He was born in Alabama, grew up in Florida, and matured as a musician in Chicago.  His recording career began in the early 1980s and he has released a dozen CDs since, garnering multiple W. C. Handy Award nominations along the way.  His music combines soulful vocals, skillful harmonica, and lyrics with a sense of humor.

According to Santelli's “Big Book of Blues”, humor is what sets Harman apart from other Blues performers.  This sense of play is embodied in his CD  “Takin’ Chances” (Cannonball Records), which was nominated for a W. C. Handy Award. This fun-filled theme album is about the gambles we take in life, love, relationships, and money, as well as the sometime futile pursuit of them all.  His most recent CD, “Mo’ Na’kins, Please” (Cannonball), is a compilation of studio recordings from the mid-'80s with Hollywood Fats, Junior Watson, and Kid Ramos.

The James Harman Band is on the road most of the year, traveling throughout the states and Europe.  The band includes Nathan James on guitar, Alan West on drums, and Lucky Medina on bass.  Together, they play a combination of blues, boogie, and a touch of 50's rock n' roll that will keep the Vets Hall jumping.

BLUES ANGELS. The Blues Angels have been performing together for five years.  They have performed for the SLO Blues Society, Mothers Tavern, First Night, the Midstate Fair, and other venues on the Central Coast.  The “angels” are noted for their great dance music and energetic instrumentation.  The Blues Angels credit B.B. King, Robert Cray, Paul Butterfield, Junior Watson, Tommy Castro, and Gladys Knight as influences and describe their style of music as “modern day, West Coast, electronic groove blues - the way you like it.”  The Blues Angels are composed of five experienced local musicians.  The silk and gravel voice of Brett Hoover provides the lead vocals for the band.  He is backed by Danny Oneill on his massive Hammond organ.  Larry Brebes plays lead guitar and provides backup on vocals.  The rhythm section includes Tom Leatherwood on bass and vocals, and Josh Carson on percussion.

Events Calendar for 2001
 
 

CATALOG OF SHOWS	LOCAL BLUES PERFORMERS	CD REVIEWS	OTHER
January 2001 December 2000 November 2000 September 2000 July 2000 May 2000 April 2000 February 2000 January 2000 December 1999 October 1999 1998 Shows	Big Daddy's Blues Band Black Cat Bone Croon Dogs HOODOO Blues Band Guy Budd Band Valerie Johnson Texicali Divas Karen Tyler	Ernie Hawkins Big Bill Morganfield	2001 t-shirt