A night of blues at Downey's Epic Lounge

TJ Norton, a blues harmonica player from the UK, will perform at the Epic Lounge in Downey this Saturday.

DOWNEY — “We’re hoping to create another night of magic,” says Alistair Hunter, referring to the Roots & Blues event scheduled at the Epic Lounge this Saturday, November 6.

Hunter, who is the current president of the Downey Arts Coalition (DAC), and fellow blues fan Greg Miera brain-stormed about an evening of music now that many pandemic restrictions were lifted and performance venues were allowed to reopen. 

Miera, a Downey resident for over fifty years, often serves as deejay or emcee at various blues festivals and has a podcast called “Reverend G Blues Hour.”

“Many blues venues have dried up; there aren’t as many as there used to be,” says Hunter. “The pandemic has had an effect.” Hunter hopes that DAC, a nonprofit group supporting the arts, will be able to schedule more music events in the future and “provide artists with opportunities.” 

Hunter and Miera describe Saturday’s program as an exceptional line-up of performers: Nathan James, southern California roots and blues guitarist who toured as a teenager with James Harman; TJ Norton, singer/songwriter and blues harmonica player from the UK; and R.J. Mischo, an internationally known electric blues harmonicist. 

“This show is a very rare event,” explains Norton. “To get the three of us each doing a solo act in one night is not likely to happen again.”

“I hope people will come away with the experience of having seen something unique and that’s more stripped down and rootsy than electric blues,” says Norton.

These artists, says Miera, reflect “the core of the blues.”

The Epic Lounge, known for its intimate, gritty atmosphere, is an appropriate venue for this music born in the deep South. 

“This will be like playing in a juke joint,” Hunter recalls Norton telling him after a tour of the venue.

Norton’s personal story reflects the worldwide impact of American roots and blues music. Norton’s grandfather was a “boogie piano player in the pubs and clubs of east London.” His father and uncles “were very much into jazz and blues, and the British blues explosion in the ‘60s onward.”

Norton’s interest in the harmonica was particularly piqued when “I heard someone locally play a train impression on a harmonica, and I didn’t understand how he could get that amount of sound out of that small, little instrument.” Norton is self-taught and plays by ear.

Southern California musician Nathan James, who grew up in Fallbrook, also describes himself as self-taught. He has toured internationally, is known for his signature handcrafted washboard guitar, and often performs with his band The Rhythm Snatchers.

Robert J. Mischo, from Wisconsin, attributes his musical path to the impact of hearing a Muddy Waters concert. He has released twelve albums and his music has been aired on film scores, television commercials, and documentaries on the Discovery Chanel.

This year is DAC’s tenth anniversary, and Hunter will never forget one of the group’s earliest music events when legendary musicians James Harmon and Phil Alvin performed at Mari’s Wine Bar on Firestone for an Art on the Vine exhibit.

“It was electric,” says Hunter.  “We want to bring more of that magic to Downey.” Mari’s Wine Bar eventually closed, but DAC continued to support and promote a variety of music events. 

While excited about the reopening of performance venues, the loss of so many musicians during the past year has left many fans with a bittersweet feeling. Harmon finally lost his battle with cancer and died in May. Fellow musician and internationally known keyboardist Gene Taylor (who is from Norwalk) died of a heart attack in Texas during the freeze.

Hunter explains that Saturday’s program will be an opportunity to honor these and the many talented musicians who have passed away. 

The Epic Lounge is located at 8239 2nd Street in Downey. Doors open at 7:30 and the show starts at 8:00 pm. Tickets, $22, can be purchased online at rootsandblues.eventbrite.com. Attendees are required to show proof of Covid vaccination or a negative Covid test within the prior 72 hours. Masks are required upon entering and at the bar.