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Conan Came to LA and Jimmy Vivino Came to Cozy's Blues Bar
By Debra Graff
Ever since Conan's guitarist/ vocalist, Jimmy Vivino came to LA, he's been playing the blues with his brilliant band, The East-West Connection every Wednesday night at Cozy's Bar & Grill in Sherman Oaks. This tight band features the best in the business - guitarist/vocalist Vivino (Max Weinberg Seven, Al Kooper, Chicago Blues Reunion); organist/keyboardist Barry Goldberg (Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Paul Butterfield, Hendrix), drummer Gary Mallaber (Steve Miller, Springsteen, Jackson Browne); and bassist Rick Reed (Butterfield, Chicago Blues Reunion, Jimmy Vaughan).
These legends are such amazing musicians and so tuned into each other, they don't even have to rehearse. They draw a packed crowd of blues lovers of all ages. Everyone is eager and energized to see their idols perform. The atmosphere is exhilarating and the club, as cozy as its name, allows you to be up close and personal with the band.
Vivino, one of the world's greatest all around guitarists and a fantastic vocalist, says Cozy's is "like the real Chicago blues bars I've played in. They let us play blues and play what we want." There is no song list so the band has freedom to choose.
The exuberance and excitement Vivino and his band bring to Cozy's is phenomenal. Organist/ Keyboardist Goldberg loves the spontaneity and the great response between the band and the audience. It's like "getting back to the roots, the real meaning of playing music."
Drummer Mallaber, loves the "diversity of tune selection," and experimenting with songs. "We don't have to have formal rehearsals and can turn into a band."
Bassist Reed says Cozy's is the "only real blues club left." Reed has played with Vivino since 1990 and loves "playing with the cats," and "hanging with all my peeps." Their goal is "to have a regular crowd so we can hang out like in the old days. We want everyone to come in and dig it."
And 'dig it' is what the audience does every Wednesday.
You never know who's going to show up. Past guests include the Tonight Show horn section; Johnny Rivers; Tony Valentino ( The Standells); keyboardist Scott Healy (Tonight Show); drummer, Corky Lang ( Mountain); and vocalist Marcy Levy (Eric Clapton). Marcy's incredible vocal range and powerful singing recently brought down the house with "Lay Down Sally," which she cowrote with Clapton and George Terry. She loves Cozy's because it's a "neighborhood bar."
Regular attendee, Gary Sheas-green of Uncle Studios, loves the friendlycrowd and thinks Cozy's is a great hangout.
"The chemistry and communication between the guys in the band is incredible. They definitely have something going. It just clicks." Rick Puente, guitarist, says, "We're lucky Vivino's playing in our community. He brings a new fire and inspiration to people who enjoy playing and listening to music." Tommy Vicini, bassist for The Drinks, calls Vivino a "purist in every style. You name it, he can play it. He's a monster. Mallaber's one of those legendary drummers alongside Moon, Baker, and Bonham who has a distinct style."
Cozy's manager, Morris Palmore, says Vivino's guitar playing is so "strong and soulful, with such a smooth vibe, you feel like you're in Mississippi or Memphis."
Cozy's Wednesday night experience is unforgettable and well worth the $8 cover. From 8-9p, you can enjoy half-priced appetizers (quesadillas , nachos, shrimp, hot wings, potato skins, Cajun fries) and two for one beer, well, and wine. They even have a $5.00 stimulus package for a Cozy burger and fries. There's a full menu (blackened catfish, house pasta, scampi, sandwiches, specialty salads), a full bar, and a poolroom in the back. Music starts at 9pm.
Cozy's Bar & Grill
14058 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks
(818) 986-6000
www.cozysblues.com
The Baked Potato, The Valley's Oldest Jazz Club, is Fusion Heaven
By Debra Graff
You can feel The Baked Potato's history the minute you walk into the club. The walls are filled with signed photos from the many jazz legends that have played there since its opening in 1970. Known for booking fusion groups, it's a fusion musician's haven. Fusion is a merging of jazz with other styles of music such as rock or contemporary. Fusion musicians love to play at the Potato because it's a compact club that caters to loud and no one ever asks to have the volume turned down. There's not much talking there, so even if the musicians play quietly, they know the audience is listening. People come from all over the world just to go to the Potato and hear fusion bands. More than half the club is filled with fans from Europe, Japan, and South America, where fusion is more highly regarded than in America.
The $15-$25 cover, for the 9:30pm and 11:30pm nightly shows, is well worth the high caliber of artists performing. Musicians love that they can handle their own mixing, since the main audio board are just to the left of the stage. Owners, Don Randi and his son Justin Randi, have spent a lot of time, money, and research to make sure the sound is outstanding. They've found top of the line sound people and the club has the most sophisticated custom audio gear.
Prominent jazz artists enjoy the closeness of the musicians to the audience. Impressive drummer Simon Phillips describes it as "playing naked to the crowd." You can't help but be moved by the proximity and intimacy of the band along with the brilliance and intensity of the sound. Every patron in the club becomes part of the musical experience, both physically and emotionally. You can get close to your idols and be part of their history.
Amazing Latin singer, Ana Robles, moved to LA just to be near The Potato. She sits in on Monday Night Jammmz and says it's "like a second home to me."
Tom Meek, (aka Mr. Fusion), columnist for LA Jazz.com, has been a regular at the Potato for 20 years. "It has the best music night in and night out of any club in the world." He credits the success of the club to the owners, who have been doing this so long; they know what works and what doesn't. "Justin is very tuned into the music and musician's world. He works really hard to maintain close, quality relationships with the musicians and has developed a reputation of consistently booking great fusion acts."
Recently, superb composer and keyboardist, Mitchel Forman, performed with his All Star Fusion Band - saxophonist Brandon Fields; bassist Trey Henry; drummer Joel Taylor; and percussionist Munyungo Jackson. Forman is a musical genius and wowed us with his brilliant original compositions, "Stank," "Gorgeous," and "Nimbus." The band was so tuned into each other; their musical communications were awe-inspiring.
Forman (John McLaughlin, Metro) says the Potato is an "open minded place, with a respectful crowd, run by great people." To Fields (George Benson, Tower of Power) it's a "holistic venue for players who love the energy of rock and the harmony and sophistication of jazz." Henry (Tierney Sutton, Ray Charles) likes the Potato because "here you play at the top of your game.
You're very challenged musically at a high level." Jackson (Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock) played everything from tiny bells, goat huffs, and cola nuts to African sandbags, shells, and baby spoons and calls The Potato "a tiny club with a great vibe where you can stretch out."
Even chef Mark Krupa, is part of the Potato's history. His cousin Gene Krupa, big band drummer with Benny Goodman, frequented the club. Krupa, cooks each meal with special care, and loves working where there's so much history. The menu boasts 21 varieties of scrumptious baked potatoes (served with salad) reasonably priced under $15. Favorites are marinated steak, teriyaki chicken, sautéed spinach and cheese, and nightly chef's specials.
The Baked Potato
3787 Cahuenga Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604
818-980-1615
Billy Sheehan - A "Big" Bass Player
By Ward Porrill
Billy Sheehan is to bass guitar as Eddie Van Halen is to guitar playing. He's not just a rock star, he's a rock god.
Sheehan became a household name among hard rock fans when he joined David Lee Roth's post-Van Halen solo band. After the initial skepticism that greeted Roth's new line-up, Sheehan's blistering riffs on songs such as "Shyboy" (a song written by Sheehan) silenced the critics. Still, the 56 year old virtuoso says he was never fazed by the media scrutiny.
"We were having such a great time when we put that band together," Sheehan recalls fondly. "We weren't even really thinking too much about any kind of competitive thing. It was like getting a PhD in show business working with Dave, that's for sure."
After touring with Roth and fellow axe wizard Steve Vai, Sheehan formed the group Mr. Big. A mild success initially, the band launched into the stratosphere when a Nebraska deejay Nebraska began playing their signature ballad "To Be With You."
"Sure enough, the thing took off and became number one on Billboard for three weeks," he says, mystified. "[We] sold millions of records."
However, Sheehan is quick to dispel rumors that the band was only successful overseas.
"Some people buy into the 'Big in Japan' cliché. We sold way more records in America than we did in Japan."
Normally, this would be the part of the article detailing how the rock star lifestyle inevitably overshadowed the music. That's not the case with Billy Sheehan.
"I was never a drug guy," he admits. "A couple bottles of wine will take care of a whole weekend for me. [I] was always pretty much focused on music more so than any kind of a lifestyle of partying though I do like to hang out and have a great time."
Still, after multiple decades of loud, frenetic, bass playing, one would think the constant touring would eventually take its toll.
"For me it was never really hard," Sheehan says. "It's all about music and playing. I think if you keep your head on straight, there's no reason why you can't enjoy it."
Far from the typically burned-out demeanor of many of his rocker comrades, Sheehan maintains an almost comic perspective on his ability to be doing what he loves to do.
"I get to go up onstage and have a blast and play music for thousands of people. And they pay me too! Unbelie-vable," he says, laughing.
Sheehan will continue playing to thousands of people when a Mr. Big reunion tour begins at the end of June, starting in Japan, ironically.
"We sold out the Budokan out in a matter of minutes, literally. That's pretty cool," Sheehan says. "It's going to be a great, great, time."
Despite his heavy touring and recording schedule, Sheehan is never too busy to give guidance to the future bass shredders of tomorrow, though his teaching methods are more "School of Rock" than Music 101. Sheehan's best advice?
"Learn 'Back in Black' by AC/DC on bass," he says, although he often just prefers to show new players how to do it himself.
" I go," ' What's your favorite song? I'll show you how it goes. Now you try. ' And they go,"Holy cow! I can play it!' " he says, laughing.
"Holy Cow" just happens to be the name of Sheehan's third solo album. Besides playing bass and singing most of the lead vocal tracks, the just-released disc features appearances by a couple of Sheehan's favorite players, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and former Mr. Big member Paul Gilbert. A solo tour is planned for later this year, though the line-up is still to be determined. Sheehan knows too well the price of hiring cheap talent.
"When you pay peanuts, you get monkeys," the wizened rock god muses.
"Holy Cow" is now available on Mascot Records.