Alabama Mike at Redwood Cafe

Alabama Mike was nominated four years back by The Blues Foundation in Memphis as “Traditional Blues Male Artist.” Although Charlie Musselwhite ended up taking home the trophy, the honor served to put Mike on the national blues map, as have two terrific CDs on his own Jukehouse label.With Upset the Status Quo, his third solo disc, the Northern California blues wailer and his backing musicians -- made up of the cream of the area’s blues session players, plus two visitors from Southern California: onetime Robert Cray keyboardist Jim Pugh and legendary bassist Jerry Jemmott, who was between gigs with Aretha Franklin -- take the blues in bold new directions while remaining steeped in tradition. The tunes – eight of the 11 from Mike’s own pen – range from blues shuffles and ballads to funky soul grooves and a two-beat shout tempo straight out of church. Many of his lyrics cleverly address such contemporary concerns as social media, identity theft, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and restraining orders. Visit his website at: alabamamikeblues.com...

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Alabama Mike was nominated four years back by The Blues Foundation in Memphis as “Traditional Blues Male Artist.” Although Charlie Musselwhite ended up taking home the trophy, the honor served to put Mike on the national blues map, as have two terrific CDs on his own Jukehouse label.With Upset the Status Quo, his third solo disc, the Northern California blues wailer and his backing musicians -- made up of the cream of the area’s blues session players, plus two visitors from Southern California: onetime Robert Cray keyboardist Jim Pugh and legendary bassist Jerry Jemmott, who was between gigs with Aretha Franklin -- take the blues in bold new directions while remaining steeped in tradition. The tunes – eight of the 11 from Mike’s own pen – range from blues shuffles and ballads to funky soul grooves and a two-beat shout tempo straight out of church. Many of his lyrics cleverly address such contemporary concerns as social media, identity theft, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and restraining orders. Visit his website at: alabamamikeblues.com
Sonoma County's local band, The Blues Defenders dazzle crowds with their special style of passionate West Coast Blues with Jeff Piche's gritty vocals and soulful harmonica along with the funky bass sounds of Donny Mederos, Nick Otis on drums, Bruce Gordon on keyboard, and Matt Silva's wailing guitar keep the crowd on their feet all night long. Individually, The Blues Defenders have played with some of the greats in blues music from Tower of Power, Doobie Brothers, Boz Skaggs, Cold Blood, Johnny Lee, and other legendary greats who shaped the world of blues music. The Blues Defenders can "hold their own" on any stage, and are the West Coast support band for the great Mississippi Blues-man "Johnny Rawls".  Visit the band's website at: www.bluesdefenders.com(Note: Pro Jam has a $10 cover charge every other week when there is a special guest artist and the other Mondays have no cover charge.)

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