Night Beat

The Taters returned to the No Name Bar with special guest, Yoshi Takahashi, who had just returned from Japan after surviving the earthquake disaster. He reluctantly told some stories of his experience there

Cole and joe Tate played the blues and sang a bunch of rock n’ roll songs while Takahashi wailed on his Fender Telecaster.  There was a definite edge to his playing and this may be the result of some mild PTSD. It may have been a little loud but everyone survived, just as he had.

Lonnie Walter, Yoshi Takahashi, Joe Tate and Cole Tate at the No Name bar

Lonnie walter was on the bongos, providing just the right amount of percussion for the No Name Bar. The No Name Bar has been open since 1958 and is a popular destination for tourists as well as locals, all mixing very nicely.

John "Coyote" Egan, a regular at Blue Monday

A couple nights later on May 23, there was a Blue Monday jam session at the Sausalito Cruising Club hosted by Joe Tate. The first set was, as usual, played by Joe Tate, Donny Kountz and Willie Riser.

There was some great talent on hand for the jam session that followed, with 18 participating musicians. Starting with Coyote and his students, the bar was immediately set high for those who followed.

Coyote’s students, Kyle Cromb and Travis Lee have become top notch guitarists and it’s always fun to watch them crowding their teacher.

Eugene Huggins also showed up and strutted out some astounding harp solos. Scott Sherman,who brought an amplifier/mic rig, kindly loaned his gear to Huggins for a short set ending with his rendition of Mojo.

Craig Caffal also played his very expert blue style, laying down some one of a kind solos.

Also sitting in were; on guitar: Rich Frost, Dave Rodrigues. Jesse Kincaid, and Gabe Navarre. On Drums: Gary Scheuenstuhl, Andy Mendell, and Jake Baker. Vocalists: Suzie Q, Angelea, Phyliss Kinimaka and Anthony Lincoln who also Played Saxophone. Gary Berger and jim Presta played piano. A guy who signed in as Neal helped out on bass.

Joe Tate and Jerome Phillips at the No Name Bar

The next Saturday, May 28, Joe Tate was back at the No Name bar with special guest Jerome Phillips.

His friends call him Jeromeo for some some unknown reason. His talents are unquestionable though. Playing left hand bass, he deftly lays down a solid accompaniment to every song.

Starting with a basic New Orleans sound, they kick into Blueberry Hill, Rockin’ Pneumonia and Goin’ Back To New orleans in quick succession.

With Lonnie Walter tapping out a rhythm on bongos, it’s hard not to stop watching the ball game and get into the music.

Joe Tate and Lonnie Walter play here every Saturday with various guest artists. The fun always starts at 6PM.

This same night is Boudeeka O’Connors last night with the New Rising Sons playing at the Taste Of Rome, just a couple blocks up the street.

Boudeeka O' Connor and the New Rising Sons at Taste Of Rome

It was pretty much of a love fest for Boudeeka’s friends who packed the place. They had so many requests for her ranging from Janis Joplin and Grace Slick to Aretha Franklin. There aren’t many singers who can cover all this territory, but O’Connor does it with ease.

Joe Tate and Boudeeka O'Connor at Taste Of Rome

She is engaged to be married and the happy couple is leaving the bay area for new prospects. Boudeeka will be missed by many here in Marin, where she has played every single venue over the years.

She was kind enough to invite her friends Joe Tate and David Kemp to the stage where, all together they performed Nasty Little Boy, one of Joe Tate’s own creations.  This is one house rocking song, the audience always joins in on the chorus. If you’ve never heard it, make it down to the No Name Bar any Saturday evening and just tell Joe you’d like to hear it.

The Next day there was a nice party at Cici Wilcoxen’s home in Forrestville, CA. She always invites about 50 musicians who all perform on a little stage in her beautiful garden.

Honey B And The Pollinators: L-R Robert Bailey, Maggie Catfish, CJ Harris, Jesse Bogs and Cici Wilcoxen

Not everyone performed, but most did in small prearranged groups culminating in Cici’s group “Honey B and The Pollinators.”

Cici has developed this band over many years, honing the sound into a concise swing machine with her on vocals and bass. Jesse Bogs, on guitar, is extremely smooth and dexterous, delivering clear melodic riffs that dance on the air.

Teresa Tudury

Sitting in today was Robert Bailey working a partial drum kit and also Maggie Catfish and CJ Harris both assisting on vocals.

Also performing was amazing singer songwriter, Teresa Tudury, who sang her wonderful and  satiric, Chinese Underwear. 

Afterwards everyone retired to the house where sing along songs were performed until sleep overtook the proceedings.

To learn more about Teresa Tudury go to

http://www.teresatudury.net/music.html

To learn more about Craig Caffal go to

http://www.myspace.com/craigcaffallband

To lean more about Eugene Huggins go to

http://eblues.webs.com/main.htm

To learn more about the New Rising Sons go to

http://www.myspace.com/jesseandtherisingsons

To learn more about Cole Tate go to

http://www.globerecords.com/ctb/index.shtml

To learn more about Honey B And The pollinators go to

http://honeybjazz.com/index

To Learn more about Joe Tate go to

http://fwd4.me/02ts

Check out the Ukulele Baby Songbook at

http://ukulelebaby.org/

The Medicine Ball Band must be one of the best-kept secrets in the Bay Area music scene. Their excellent music far exceeds the notoriety they have been accorded.

Led by guitarist David Sturdevant, who moved here from upstate New York 38 years ago, MBB delivers a versatile repertoire with everything from swing standards to R&B with a distinct New Orleans flavor. If you ask, they will even play Dixieland.

The Medicine Ball Band L-R John Stafford, Ylonda Nickell, Joe Kennedy, John Hunt, Bob Scott and David Sturdevent

Founded in 1971 by Sturdevant, the group started by playing in the street for tips at Union Square in San Francisco. Along with Sturdevant was a pair of banjos played by Dave Marty and Abe Van Der Meulen. The late Amanda Hughes started singing with them later as they moved on to clubs. Their first bass player was Randy Jackson, the world famous producer and arranger who is now a judge on American Idol. Herb Caen used to sit in with them on drums.

John Hunt delivers "Blue Skies"

Tonight the band is a very tight ensemble with Joe Kennedy on keyboards, Bob Scott on drums, John Hunt on trombone, Ylonda Nickell on alto saxophone and John Stafford doubling on clarinet and tenor saxophone. David Sturdevant covers guitar, vocals and doubles on chromatic and blues harmonica. Three of these members are pals from the early days of MBB; David Sturdevent, John Hunt and John Stafford.

Starting with John Hunt’s rendition of Blue Skies, David Sturdevent then sings Nobody Loves You. John Stafford sings Jump Jive and wails on clarinet. Then there was other stuff like Bye Bye Blackbird and Stomping at The Savoy. Ann Hunt also assists on vocals.Her rendition of Orange Colored Sky was especially nice. She also sang a beautiful duet with her husband John on Baby It’s Cold Outside. Bob Scott also did some vocals including Gershwin’s Lady Be Good and Jesse Fuller’s San Francisco Bay Blues.

Ann Hunt assisting on vocals

The drummer, Bob Scott, played for many years on the road with Ray Charles as well as Willie Nelson. More recently he has appeared with Dan Hicks. Bob Scott is substituting for the regular drummer, Larry Vann, who, for some reason, couldn’t make it tonight.

Joining in the fun

The second set started with Careless Love followed by Sturdevant singing It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) with a brilliant solo by John Stafford. Nickell played an instrumental version of Misty in true lounge lizard style. Hunt adds a trombone solo at the bridge and Sturdevant does a chorus on the chromatic harmonica. Very good listening, indeed. Nickell leaves the stage and wanders through the audience playing her sax for a little extra amusement.

There were many more fine vintage songs and the night ended on Duke Ellington’s Don’t Get Around Much Anymore. This was sung by John Hunt but it was an instrumental tour de force, with all the horns wailing New Orleans style. What’s not to like?

There is also very fine food at the Seahorse featuring all the favorite Italian dishes. There’s a full bar and a large dance floor.

The Medicine Ball Band regularly appears at the Sausalito Cruising Club, Taste Of Rome, Cafe Trieste, No Name Bar and many other popular Bay Area venues.

Seahorse info

http://seahorserestaurant.net/

Medicine Ball Band info

http://www.medicineballband.com/