BLUE FIRE IN NOHO
Photo courtesy of Rony Armas	The fires were raging all around Southern California…but the real heat was in North Hollywood at the First Annual Blues Splash Festival.  Held on Sunday, October 26th, in the NoHo Arts District at the historic and majestic El Portal Theater on Lankershim Blvd., the event drew blues fanatics from all over the globe.  It was a celebration dedicated to the West Coast Sound.

First up was Jamie Wood and the Roadhouse Rockets, who, along with Buddy Reed & The Rip It Ups, who played next, warmed up the house for the spectacular line up of California blues artists that was to follow. 

Pacemaker & The Blue Vangards (featuring Jimmy Dyer) were next up and they cranked out a wall of blues behind their two guitars, bass, drums and piano player.  Piano man Steve F’Dor, really shined, playing in a style reminiscent of legendary New Orleans ivory ticklers, Professor Longhair and James Booker.  One of the pieces played actually had a Dr. John-ish “second-line” groove to it.  Their sound, overall, was smooth and blue swingin’.  Halfway through the set, the band was joined by harmonica man/vocalist, Jimmy Dyer.  His rendition of “Hoochie Coochie Man” was incredible. 

Batting cleanup was soloist Paul Oscher.  He was seated in a chair in the center of the stage with his guitar on his lap and his collection of harmonicas spread out on a table next to him.  His relaxed demeanor made the audience feel as though they were listening to him play on his back porch in Venice, California.  He told comical stories between songs.  His guitar playing was complemented by his foot stomping and harp playing (he even played a rarely seen bass harp).  His harmonica version of Hoagy Carmichael’s “Georgia,” accompanied by his guitar, was especially moving.  At the end of his set he stunned the audience by playing a blazing boogie woogie on the piano.    

The fifth band to take the stage was Little Charlie & The Night Cats.  They ignited the arena.  Plain and simple, they were on fire.  The fact that they have played together for over 20 years was obvious in the way they worked together on stage.  They were absolutely the tightest band of all with a sound that had bits of Chicago and Delta blues, glazed with a double shot of classic American Rockabilly.  People were screaming and dancing in the aisles throughout their entire set.  Rick Estrin’s vocals and harp playing were soulful and full of energy.  Master guitarist Little Charlie (Baty) played effortlessly clean on his hollow body.  He and bassist Lorenzo Farrell, who was on upright, both switched to electric guitars (Stratocaster and Precision, respectively) about half way through the set and continued to roast on, blazing song after song.  They also amazed the audience when Little Charlie swapped guitar duty for harmonica duty with Rick for part of the set.  Farrell and drummer Jay Hansen relentlessly laid down the law, for Rick and Little Charlie, with their slamming backbone rhythm.  They are absolute proof that the heart of an excellent band is an airtight rhythm section with total command of the groove.  The band played selections from their catalog that spanned several albums, including their latest release.  Little Charlie and the Night Cats are a must see, stone cold, music machine.     

The final band of the night was Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers.  Rod came out first, working a groove on his harmonica.  Drummer Paul Fasulo came out next, followed by bassist Bill Stuve and then guitarist Henry Carvajal.  By the time piano lady Honey Piazza came out and completed the band, they had worked Rod’s original groove into a ferocious frenzy.  As the set progressed, the audience was taken on a journey through flavors of funk and blues, displaying, over and over, the extraordinary abilities of each of the members.  Henry Carvajal stole the show when he sang a solo number and assassinated the audience with an extended multi-dynamic solo. 

Phil Waters, a huge blues fan, who was in town all the way from Manchester, England, was “very impressed” with the performances of the artists, as well as the beautiful El Portal Theatre.  Blues addicts, John and Diane Heidel, extended their Los Angeles vacation, delaying their return home to Deland, Florida, in order to attend the event.  Although they are dedicated long time fans of Little Charlie and Rod Piazza, they enjoyed the other acts as well; especially Buddy Reed. 

The crowning moment of the show was when Manny Figueras, of California State Senator Richard Alarcon’s office, presented Event Producer Nancy Bianconi a Certificate of Recognition as a reward for all of her hard work in bringing the festival to fruition.  Mr. Figueras also presented awards to members of several of the bands for bringing artistic honor to the Golden State and for continuing the tradition of the “West Coast Sound.” 

Blues people, remember, the holidays are coming.  And this year, like last year, you will undoubtedly receive at least one calendar as a gift.  When you do, flip to the October page and mark it for next year’s Blues Splash Festival in NoHo.   

Scott Detweiler is an accomplished musician in his own right and has just released his fifth CD.  For more details, log on to www.detweilermusic.com, or write to scottdetweiler@aol.com.