Volume 29; Issue 6 December 2008-January 2009 25th International We’re Goin’ to Memphis! Blues Challenge In case you have been out of touch, tive jazz, Allie we held a great competition to deter- kept bringing it mine who we would sponsor at the back to the 25th IBC in Memphis. The competi- Blues. Then tion was held at the Capitol City Ho- Jimmy Pailer tel (formerly the Clarion) at Auburn and Lew Fra- February 4-7, 2009 Blvd. and Fulton Ave. on Sunday, tis took the Memphis, TN. October 19th. stage. Jimmy and Lew have been playing together quite a while, and Blues The competition their exceptional If you don’t know started with the stage presence single/duo cate- showed it. The last Blues, you don’t gory, and I was solo/duo contestant know nothin’. late. I walked in was Steve Foster, to hear Yasa- who showed us a Unknown, but of- taka performing some incredible gui- whole new side of his ten quoted by tar work. He was work. Steve is very very intent on his creative and is defi- BB King task, and obviously nitely an audience INSIDE THIS knew a thing or two favorite. Whew! Glad I wasn’t a ISSUE: about the blues. He judge for this top talent. was followed by Willie’s Wise Words 3 Saul Kaye, doing After the his own composi- break, the tions for the per- band com- Daniel Castro 4 spective of a Jewish slave. I really petition be- enjoyed gan with the Membership Party 45 his per- Matty T formance, Band lead- but I won- ing off. Matty is a popular home San Francisco 6 Blues Festival dered band what just Memphis west of Road Trip 8 would us, and think of that! Next up, Allie Marcel he has showed us that a standup bass is a a solid Mississippi Blues 10 at the Torch! solo blues instrument. While his group. partner was performing more innova- Next came the Cold Truth, and the dance floor filled up as Isis belted 1 Volume 29; Issue 6 Page 2 We’re Goin’ to Memphis! continued out the pression. on Beale Street, and you can also tunes. support our A World of Travel This was As we waited for the judges Treasures is handling the accom- a really results we know they had a modations, so you don’t even high- problem. It seems that two need to worry about the details. Just pack your bags and go. energy bands had exactly the same Great Food, Historic Sun Studio, band. top final scores. They finally Gibson Guitar Factory, Stax Re- made their determinations, and cord Museum, Rock & Soul Mu- Stevenson Proffitt followed the results were: seum, Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, BBQ Ribs, and Good Single/duo People all await you! 1. Pailer and Fratis 2. Steve Foster The package cost is $799.00 per 3. Saul Kaye person (dbl hotel occupancy.) and Bands includes air, hotel and transfers, with an interesting set that I 1. The Aces and a hotel with 2 double beds and breakfast. If you are inter- personally couldn’t call blues, 2. Used Blues with Gary Men- ested in joining us, hurry and call but I had to admire the talent on doza Linda at 1-800-626-1771, or e- the stage. 3. Stevenson Proffitt mail Aworldoftraveltreas- Cynthia [email protected] Huddleston The Used Blues Band will and the be the opening band for Juke Joint Ed Early at Jokers fol- our Member lowed, and Party on De- the dance floor crowded again. cember Sunday Cynthia is a blues singer to be December 14th. watched. When Gary Mendoza Please look for upcoming events show casing our winning acts!! So what does this mean? It means and the Used Blues Band took we need to go to over the stage, the joint was Memphis to cheer really on our entrants to jumpin’. the International The Mill Blues Competition Creek – and go we will! Blues Here is your oppor- gave us a tunity to take a trip taste of with like minded SBS members and country blues, then The Aces see Beale Street followed and brought down the with all the clubs curtain on the competition, but open, live blues not before they left a great im- music pouring out 2 Volume 29; Issue 6 Page 3 Willie’s Wise Words Greetings Sacramento Blues several spots on the Board of Program, the benefits, the lo- Society (SBS) mem- Directors, so bring cal clubs, the festivals and the bers & blues fans! them to this show! wonderful blues musicians in Where has the time our area. Also, thanks to eve- gone? It has been a fun two ryone that has contributed to years and I think the “Rear View Mirror” articles After serving as your we’ve made some in the weekly SacBlues News President for the past wonderful progress emails. Keep them coming! I two years, it’s time with not only the con- will continue to keep you in- for me to step back tinuation of the BITS formed about the blues scene and return to being program under the on a weekly basis. the “Goodwill Ambas- direction of Cynthia sador” again and just Jaynes, but also the We will be celebrating the 30th have some good old partnerships with the anniversary of The Sacra- “blues fun”. I’m really Jazz Jubilee in 2008 mento Blues Society in 2009, looking forward to traveling and the Northern California so keep up the good work back to Memphis this coming Blues Festival the past two people - upward & onward! February with our “Sacramento years! contingent” to support the en- th As always, “Save me a seat”, tries in the 25 Annual Interna- I would like to thank everyone Willie Brown – President tional Blues Challenge. We are connected with the Sacra- very proud to have Lew Fratis mento Blues & Jimmy Pailer representing Society for us in the “solo/duo” category helping in and The Aces as our “band” “Keeping The entry! Keep an eye out for a Blues Alive” few “Showcase, Fundraiser & around our Send-Off to Memphis” shows area. We ex- with performances by these perienced a wonderful blues acts in the near couple of future. bumps along the way, but To round out the year, we will it’s always re- be holding our annual warding and “Membership Show” on Decem- gratifying ber 14 featuring Bay Area musi- when every- cian Ed Earley (Elvin Bishop thing comes sideman & Blues Cruiser) and together. his blues band. Also on this year’s bill will be Gary Men- Thank you for doza & The Used Blues Band your continued (the runner-up [actually tied for support of the first] during the recent Sacramento SacBlues Challenge). This Blues Society, show is free to all of our mem- the Blues In bers in good standing. We will The Schools be collecting your ballots to fill 3 Volume 29; Issue 6 Page 4 Daniel Castro is all over Northern California By Jeff Sullenger As an avid with some of the best tradi- neck that was custom made for blues fan and tional blues ever written. him. a guy always Many people have covered on the look Albert King’s, ‘I’ll Play the The band members are all fabu- out for a good Blues for You’, and lous talents as well. Long time show I have Daniel’s version is abso- bassist Glade Rasmussin is an found that lutely the best you will ever accomplished musician and you Northern Cali- hear. His guitar work is so get to hear what a difference a fornia has an smooth it puts you in a good bass man can make. I’ve abundance of trance. His blues version seen too many bands where the great bands of ‘Walking the Dog’ by bass dude was just there to pro- to fill the bill. Rufus Thomas is classic vide a little beat. Not the case Now, I am not Daniel Castro and stuff also, making you won- with Glade who gets to show- one to pro- a local fan der why you haven’t heard it case his own talent. Drummer fess having a favorite but I cer- like this before. At every per- T. Moran has also been around tainly don’t mind recommending formance he plays most of the for the long haul with Daniel and what I feel is one of the best great stuff you expect but has their musical connection is obvi- acts around and that is the also throws in different cuts to ous as he supports the cause as Daniel Castro Band. I have make each show unique. A well as having opportunities to been following Daniel and his couple weeks ago Daniel had throw out a hot solo set. On band around for the last few driven up to Santa Rosa to see keyboards is Bill Hancock, an months and have found every Sonny Landreth play and the amazing guy that pours his all performance to be fun, exciting next night he was playing into his playing. Sometimes I and well worth the drive to wher- “Congo Square’ at Lou’s like think the ivories are going to ever he’s playing. I’ve seen him there was no tomorrow. Then catch on fire as Bill runs up and lately at the Torch Club in Sac- he throws in Little Milton’s, down the boards. Besides being ramento, a couple times at Con- ‘That’s What Love Will Make a great talent and a nice fit for stable Jack’s in Newcastle and You Do” and I was again the band, Bill has his own stage at Lou’s Pier 47 Blues Club in blown away by his raw blues presence and you can tell he San Francisco.