Intimate jazz and blues show playing in Downey Sunday

The Downey Arts Coalition (DAC) is excited about “capturing lightning in a bottle” in another rare intimate jazz and blues experience this Sunday, Nov. 10, 3-6 pm (doors open 2 pm) at the Epic Live in Downtown Downey.

Tickets are available online at downeybluesthehealers.eventbrite.com or at the door. Limited seating.

John Bazz of Downey’s own The Blasters is joining “the master of the blues harmonica”, Chef Denis Depoitre’s all star blues band, The Healers, and the legendary Mike Malone’s Vibes Combo that opens with bluesy cool Latin Jazz.

These are musician’s musicians with decades of experience between them, performing with the who’s who in the blues.

Chef Denis explains that The Healers share a common bond to keep blues music alive in front of audiences. He describes a special bond in which they all collaborate as an ensemble in rehearsal, the studio, and in live performances. They push each other to excellence. Referring to The Healers, Bazz says, “I love this band!”

The performance is dedicated to The Healer’s late great guitarist Henry Carvajal, who for decades has been one of Southern California’s most respected blues singers and guitarists.

This is the return of The Healers, and they are back with a bang. While Carvajal was ill during the last year and a half, they chose not to perform without him.

For more than four decades Mike Malone has been recognized as a West Coast blues legend, performing keyboards and vibraphone with the likes of Joe Houston, James Harman, Mark Ford, The Broughams, The Mighty Mojo Prophets, and Alias Smith & Jones.

This Healer’s lineup includes Chef Denis on harmonica; singer/songwriter Tommy “Big Son” Eliff (Mighty Mojo Prophets) on vocals; Joe Conde guitar (Fred Kaplan, Abbey Girl); John Bazz on bass (Downey’s The Blasters); and JR Lozano on drums (Los Lobos, Mike Eldred).

Mike Malone’s Vibes Combo (Cool Bluesy Latin Jazz) featuring JR Lozano (Los Lobos), Ed Mann (Rod Piazza’s Mighty Flyers), Dave DeForest (Mighty Mojo Prophets).

All the profits beyond the cost of the musicians and the event will go towards DAC’s Annual 2025 College Scholarships for Downey, Warren, and Columbus High Schools.