Café Bar Europa - Tomcat Courtney
Tio Leo's Lounge - Sue Palmer
The Handlery Hotel San Diego- The Derringers
The Lafayette Hotel - Blue Diamond Special
Café Bar Europa - Tomcat Courtney
host: Drew Miller
host: Drew Miller
The inspiration and vision of Cafe Bar Europa, is to recreate the feeling of the small, local bars of southern Europe.
Places where the people stop and gather, to hear the news, catch up with friends, relax and enjoy a coffee and a fine pastry or a small meal and a glass of wine.
They are found in the countries that border the Western Mediterranean Sea, that same sea which has been named since ancient times as the Turquoise Sea, a sea that meets and mingles all upon its shores with the real and mythical, joyous and jubilant, serious and serene.
Places where I saw more similarities than differences, and when seen as a whole, make up a region all its’ own. “The Lands of the Turquoise Sea”
– Basilio Ceravolo, owner and creator of Cafe Bar Europa
Born in 1929, bluesman Tomcat Courtney shows no signs of slowing down. While growing up in Texas, his pianist father owned a nightclub frequented by blues legends like Sonny Boy Williamson. Courtney pursued tap dancing and began to perform in places like the Barnum And Bailey Circus and other type traveling shows and he also began to sing as well, After learning guitar, he fell easily into the rhythm of the traditional Delta blues groove of his most admired musicians, like BB King and Lightnin’ Hopkins. In the early 1960's Tomcat Courtney moved to Los Angeles where in began to do shows in night clubs like the 54 night club,the Eightball ,Polka Dot,Psychedelic Shack and other numerous clubs. Moving to San Diego in 1971, Courtney formed the Bluesdusters...AND THEN THE STORY GETS REALLY GOOD...
Drew Miller is a native San Diegan with a heart for The Big Easy. He’s our resident New Orleans music expert, and that’s saying something: Drew is also a professional event DJ, so he literally knows tens of thousands of songs! Jazz 88.3 benefits from that kind of knowledge. When not spinning for parties or the airwaves, Drew tries to keep up with his wife and two kids. drewm@jazz88.org
Tio Leo's Lounge - Sue Palmer
host: Claudia Russell
Tio Leo's, with three convenient locations, has been one of San Diego's most loved Mexican Restaurants since 1979.
Be sure to check out our Live Music at
Tio Leo's Lounge on Napa Street
where we feature live music, and
salsa & swing dance nights!
And for all of your special events, see our famous Mexican Catering Menu.
San Diego's Queen of Boogie Woogie, Sue Palmer, has amazed audiences all over the world with her unique style and phenomenal left hand. Best known for her beehive-wearing stint with blues diva Candye Kane in the '90's, Sue Palmer has been making her mark in the last decade with her high energy band, the Motel Swing Orchestra, and her flashy boogie woogie stylings. Wearing a couple of pounds of big cocktail rings on each hand, she wails through a very complete blues keyboard vocabulary like the veteran she is. She has performed with many of the legends of the boogie genre, playing double piano with Marcia Ball, Hadda Brooks, Sonny Leyland, Steve Lucky, Jeannie Cheathem,...2016 has proved to be an exciting year professionally, with another live album, "The Thunderbird Sessions," showcasing the Motel Swing Orchestra, both aurally and visually, with a CD and eight videos. Sue also travelled to the Netherlands to play for Candye Kane's longtime project, United By Music, working with developmentally disabled young adult musicians for their 10th anniversary....MORE ON SUE...
As a child, Claudia Russell, learned jazz songs from her mom, as well as seeing Dizzy Gillespie and Buddy Rich on The Muppet Show. Claudia picks the guitar and tenor saxophone as her favorite instruments, and says picking a favorite musician depends on mood and circumstance. claudiar@jazz88.org
The Handlery Hotel San Diego- The Derringers
host: Janine Harty
One of the premier stops in San Diego for weekly Jazz, the Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley San Diego NOW HAS BLUES and a stop on the Blues Caravan featuring music from The Derringers, hosted by Blues 88.3's "Blues & The Gospel Truth" (Sundays, 7-10am PT) host Janine Harty. Every Friday the Handlery Hotel hosts the Jazz Happy Hour at in the 950 Lounge! San Diego's world-renowned Jazz Flutist and Presenter Holly Hofmann brings in world class musicians every Friday from 5:30-7:30PM. There's NO COVER CHARGE and parking is not only FREE, but it's bountiful! You can also enjoy a full bar and happy hour menu prices while you're there! What better way to kick off your weekend?!
The Derringers are a San Diego-based band playing good time Blues, Boogie and Rock music. Band members include Wayne Markus (vocals, harp, guitar), Fred Kokaska (vocals, guitar), Harry Magalong (bass), and Jazz 88.3's own "Percussive Profiles" (Thursdays, 10pm to Midnight PT) and "'Round Midnight" (Tuesday through Saturday, Midnight to 2am PT) host Berry Farrar (vocals, drums).
Janine Harty joined the Jazz 88.3 on-air team in 1988. Since then she's made sure the spotlight stays on women in Jazz and she is a big fan of the blues and great vocal work. Her show, Blues and the Gospel Truth, can be heard every Sunday morning from 7-10am. Email: janineh@jazz88.org
The Lafayette Hotel - Blue Diamond Special
host: J. Otis Williams
Relaxed and ready for anything, the newly redesigned Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows blends unique style and exceptional service with eco-friendly practices to become your ideal travel companion. Reserve a room and see for yourself why this California boutique hotel was a one-time haven for iconic celebrities and continues to be a destination worth discovering again and again.
J.Otis Williams started at Jazz 88 in 2000 and now guides you late-night on Fridays starting at 12 Midnight, Saturday mornings at 2am, and has a smokin' Blues show on Sunday morning (2am-6). If you've heard his show(s) you know he's deep into the music, and yes, he's always that energetic. J. Otis is a huge fan of Miles Davis. His favorite instrument is the bass. Besides music, J. Otis enjoys good times with family and friends. jotis@jazz88.org
Seven Grand - Shane Hall
host: Jim Mcinnes
Alongside hand-crafted cocktails, state-of-the-art beverage delivery systems, live music, pool tables and private party areas, Seven Grand San Diego is home to the ever-popular Whiskey Society; a unique membership program providing guests the opportunity to further explore the spirit via education and experimentation with comprehensive tastings featuring Master Distillers, International Brand Ambassadors, and notable members of the liquor industry.
There is more than one Shane Hall in the music business, and Carlsbad singer/blues guitarist goes by Shane/Hall on his new CD Thickteeth. For the past few years on both coasts he has fronted the power trio Shane/Hall and the Diabolicals, playing original electric blues music that features his strong and soulful vocals and rhythm-dominated guitar hooks. His latest disc, cut last year in North Carolina with studio musicians, has 11 tracks of Hall’s unusual brew of dark blues gumbo.
Jim McInnes has been a successful commercial radio broadcaster since 1970 becoming a radio household name during his 29-year stint on (then-San Diego rock radio powerhouse) 101.5 KGB-FM. Growing up near Chicago it's no wonder that Jim digs the sounds of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy and Paul Butterfield. He is now the host of Every Shade of Blue, heard now on Sundays (1-4p). When he's not on the air, he jams with his various bands and dreams of going to Ireland with his wife Sandi. jimm@jazz88.org
Boureé
- Lenny "Fuzzy" Rankins
host: Ron Dhanifu
Bourré Southern Bistro is located in the community of Rolando and serves Southern Creole favorites with a California fusion twist. What is Bourré? In French, Bourré means “stuffed” and when you dine with us, you will never leave hungry. Our menu includes many of the items one associated with New Orleans southern cuisine such as; fried catfish, jambalaya, gumbo and more. We invite you to visit Bourré for a delicious meal with the ambience and charm of New Orleans.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Lenny “Fuzzy” Rankins comes from a rich background of performing gospel music. It was when he relocated to the west coast in the 90’s and he was introduced to Fro Brigham that Fuzzy discovered the diversity of the blues. He has been selected to play with many masters including BB King, Etta James and Bobby “Blue” Bland. The winner of this year’s IBC challenge he will represent San Diego in Memphis in January, 2014. In addition to this he has received a number of local awards and a Grammy in 2007 for his guitar work on Ike Turner’s CD “Risin’ With The Blues”.
Ron Dhanifu has a gift for hearing what's in the music, so you always get a captivating show. His favorite artist is Miles Davis, but his favorite instrument is the alto sax. He started working for KSDS in 1977 and has lived in San Diego for 30+ years. rond@jazz88.org
