John Bazz of The Blasters headlines blues show in Downey
Tony Lopez, Billy Watson, Junior Watson and John Bazz (courtesy photo)
DOWNEY — The Downey Arts Coalition (DAC) is excited about “capturing lightning in a bottle” in another rare music and art experience, Sunday Blues, scheduled for this Sunday, July 30, at the Epic Lounge in Downtown Downey.
John Bazz of Downey’s very own The Blasters is playing the blues with some of his legendary West Coast blues friends. Bazz grew up across the street from Dave and Phil Alvin in Downey.
With their friend Bill Bateman, also from Downey, they grew up with a steady diet of blues, rockabilly, country, R&B, and early rock & roll. They formed The Blasters and for more than 40 years they have had a tremendous influence on American music. They have toured the world wearing jackets emblazoned with Downey on them.
Recently on PBS, Grammy Award winner Dave Alvin gave a tour of his hometown. Bazz’s own guitar has “Downey” carved on it.
Bazz, who is regarded as one of the world’s finest bass players, is performing with Billy Watson, Junior Watson, and Tony Lopez in a rare, intimate blues experience and art show.
Billy Watson is San Diego’s madcap blues harp wizard. Watson, who began his career as a visual artist, is firmly rooted in the blues. After studying the antics of Howlin’ Wolf, and Sonny Boy Williamson II, he set out to prove the blues was meant to be fun.
He has also been influenced by Spike Jones and the Marx Brothers. Known for his mastery of the harmonica, and his spontaneous performances, audiences are drawn to him as an entertainer, and the idea of never knowing what’s coming next.
Junior Watson is known as one of the West Coast’s finest guitar players, and one of the most influential guitarists of his generation. He is featured not only on his own recordings but on over 250 albums including Canned Heat, James Harman, Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers, Hollywood Fats, Janiva Magnus, Big Mama Thornton, and just about every blues harmonica player around.
Watson will pay to tribute to Downey’s long gone record store, Wenzel’s Music Town, performing a song recorded on the Downey label there. He’s another musician full of surprises, including impromptu medleys of famous instrumentals.
Tony Lopez, the band leader, is a local blues hero from Pico Rivera known as Mr. Drumzz. Rock solid, he and John Bazz are the rhythm section with Tony smiling away and John with his eyes closed when they are in the zone with Billy and Junior. The rhythm section is a musician’s dream.
Sunday Blues includes blues videos and an art show beginning at 2 pm featuring the celebrated visual artist and musician Mike Tempo, along with local artists. His group, The Bonedaddys, have been performing for over 36 years. Tempo is also known as a member of James Harman’s Bamboo Porch Revue.
Downey’s Greg Miera, known throughout the Southland blues community as Reverend G, will serve as the master of ceremonies.
The Epic Lounge is located at 8239 2nd St. Doors open at 2 pm and the concert starts at 3 pm.
Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased online at sundayblues.eventbrite.com and at the door.