By GREG WILLIS Special to the Daily Press
Some months after I had started going to Harvelle’s Blues Club in Santa Monica I noticed a change of ownership posting in the window. I mentioned to the man standing next to me that if anything happened to the club, that I feared I would become suicidal. He quickly assured me that the club would be changing for the better, and that I would probably be all right, too.
That was almost three years ago, and the reassuring gentleman was Cevin Clark, the proprietor of Harvelle’s. We became friends and, later, at my urging, he added the great guitarist Paul Warren to his weekend lineup.
Impressed with his willingness to listen to others, and convinced of his commitment to provide the finest live music locally, I became more than a friend, I became a fan. My respect has grown as he has consistently presented not only great blues, but an eclectic mix of some of the finest live music to be heard in LA in an intimate club setting. The crowds have grown both in size and sophistication, mostly due to word of mouth. It is still possible to get in most nights without waiting in line, however those days may be numbered Harvelle’s has always had great weekend bands, now the weekday lineup has taken off thanks to Clark’s willingness to experiment. Monday has long been open mike night, now it is known as pro-jam night, and rightfully so. Under the direction of sax player extraordinaire Walter Davis, the proceedings feature a world class house band and a procession of some of the finest musicians in LA looking to display their chops before a friendly audience. While the stage is open to any musician with the $3 cover charge and the patience to wait until they are called to the stage, drunken karaoke singers and fledgling musicians should be forewarned.
Tuesday is now Circle of Songs/LA Live! Music Showcase Series. Jenna Leigh presents top quality performances by artists who are destined by virtue of their talent and dedication to their craft to have successful careers. They are the kind of artists who you might want to pay big money to see some day. The night starts out at 7 p.m. with an acoustic circle of songs (admission is free until 8 p.m.), and builds to ensemble performances by the some of the hottest young talent I’ve ever seen. Once word gets out about the level of talent in this series, it will be black clothes and ponytails. Circle of Songs is a 40,000-strong member-based organization, find out more at (310) 452-4163 or at www.circleofsongs.com.
Wednesdays open with Circle of Songs at 7 p.m., and then into Blue Wednesday, featuring a hot blues performer. Guitarist-vocalist Key Frances who comes to these parts by way of Austin and New Orleans, recently displayed the bag of music he collected on his many travels. The legendary blues singer Mickey Champion is a regular, if you haven’t seen her singing 50 feet away from the stage without a microphone you haven’t seen the real thing.
Thursdays is open to a variety of music, recently young hot band Hodges, backed by Green Sugar, packed the place with twenty-somethings, which delighted Clark and ran the bartenders ragged. The next week Los Tiburones, (the Sharks without Dennis Quaid), entertained the crowd with musicianship honed over years of professional playing.
Sundays have long been held down by the Pure Unadulterated Soul of the Toledo Show, replete with scantily clad dancers and a smoky atmosphere, this cabaret show brings in a Damon Runyonesque cast of characters. Not to be experienced by the unworldly or the prudish, who might possibly be corrupted.
On Friday and Saturday nights, premiere bands take the stage. Clark has put together an outstanding lineup of regular performers, with an occasional appearance by someone hoping to break into the rotation. Last week’s appearance by ’60s British vocalist guitarist Terri Reid fell into that category, and was evidence of Clarks’ genius as a booker of talent. Curiosity assured a good crowd, and Reid was left to make his own case for a renewal of a career that came very close to superstardom. Unfortunately I missed the show, whether or not he returns to Harvelle’s anytime soon will be the best indication of how he performed. Among the great artists who are regulars at Harvelle’s are longtime Clark friend Guitar Shorty, the Delgado Brothers, the Imperial Crowns, Jessie and the Raindogs, Blowing Smoke and the Fabulous Smokettes, 2000 lbs, of Blues, Paul Warren and the Wreckers, Cafe R.&B., the Boneshakers, Jimmy Z. and the Z Tribe, and Carlos Guitarlos, whose recent appearance accompanied by world famous vocalist Marcy Levy, (Clapton etc., etc.) was only one of many highlights this month. Saturday night the return of Paul Warren and the Wreckers is sure to end January on the right note. Warren has been on tour in Europe for months and is dying to throw down for a local crowd, and he won’t be back until April.
Future plans for Harvelle’s call for expanding the Web site, which www.harvelle’s.com., and beginning to record the many great musicians who play there, on an ongoing basis. Stay tuned.
Harvelle’s’ Blues Club, 1432 Fourth St.
Happy hour 5-8 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Music begins at 9:30 p.m.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 30, 2004. Read the original PDF.