The Bay City Blues is our weekly showcase of world class Blues music and superb instrumental talent. This event is a celebration of the Blues in all its forms and an adventure into the depth of a national genre. Hosted by the nationally recognized John Garcia & his All-Star cast of Musicians, every week they invite a new special guest to accompany them on stage and present new, upcoming, & old talent from the blues world! Bay City Blues is our tribute and exploration into the Blues genre, it is a special event in which we all get to help, share, & “Preserve the Blues."
About Gary Smith:
Gary Smith started playing harmonica in his hometown of San Jose in the late 1960s. Charlie Musselwhite, who was by then living in the San Francisco Bay Area, was an early teacher and mentor. In 1969, Smith joined his first blues group. The early '70s marked the beginning years of the Gary Smith Blues Band. Not only has Gary Smith become a master of theu harmonica, but he has also become a legend both locally and throughout the blues world, where record collectors covet his 1974 EP as a quintessential harp classic.
About John Garcia:
As a professional singer and guitarist for the last 40 years, John has performed with John Lee Hooker, B.B.King, Johnny Winters, Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt, Albert King and many more. Now on Christmas Eve, John will bring his World Class Blues show back to our cozy club with a seasonal touch of Christmas cheer. In addition to an array of Blues standards, John will also be performing several of his Christmas favorites. Bo Diddley once described John as "One Hell of an Entertainer," and as a Blues guitarist, there are few his equal. Instrumental virtuosity coupled with a unique vocal style are his trademarks. His own recorded work easily stands on its own power and prestige, incorporating a wide array of styles all rooted in the blues.
Brad Kava - music reviewer with the San Jose Mercury News quotes - "This guy plays the guitar like a classic Porsche. Beautiful and melodic one minute, then leaning into the curves at 210 miles an hour the next. "Garcia is based in the the San Francisco Bay Area and has toured the world as leader of John Lee Hooker's Coast to Coast Blues Band - including a stop at New York's legendary Carnegie Hall. In recent years he has teamed up on recordings with John Lee Hooker's daughter, Zakiya Hooker and his son John Lee Hooker Jr.
John is a Grammy Nominated blues guitarist for his work on John Lee Hooker Jr's CD - "Blues with a Vengeance"- 2004 and John Lee Hooker Jr's CD - "All Odds Against Me"- 2008. "I call him my inheritance," said Hooker Jr. "Not that he was willed to me as property, but as a recommendation by my dad to try John Garcia. "He's Bad! "Garcia is currently on John Lee Hooker's new CD - "All Hooked Up"- 2013.
John was born in Gilroy California and resides there now. He also teaches guitar in both private and group instruction for local bay area institutions which has been on going for the last 30 years - Gavalin College, South Valley Music Conservatory, Morgan Hill Adult Community School and breakout sessions with the Harmonica Masterclass Workshops all around the world. John is currently on the faculty at the School of the Blues in San Jose, California and the Gilroy Music Academy in Gilroy, California. Garcia is also a published author with Mel Bay Publications.
show less
About Gary Smith:
Gary Smith started playing harmonica in his hometown of San Jose in the late 1960s. Charlie Musselwhite, who was by then living in the San Francisco Bay Area, was an early teacher and mentor. In 1969, Smith joined his first blues group. The early '70s marked the beginning years of the Gary Smith Blues Band. Not only has Gary Smith become a master of theu harmonica, but he has also become a legend both locally and throughout the blues world, where record collectors covet his 1974 EP as a quintessential harp classic.
About John Garcia:
As a professional singer and guitarist for the last 40 years, John has performed with John Lee Hooker, B.B.King, Johnny Winters, Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt, Albert King and many more. Now on Christmas Eve, John will bring his World Class Blues show back to our cozy club with a seasonal touch of Christmas cheer. In addition to an array of Blues standards, John will also be performing several of his Christmas favorites. Bo Diddley once described John as "One Hell of an Entertainer," and as a Blues guitarist, there are few his equal. Instrumental virtuosity coupled with a unique vocal style are his trademarks. His own recorded work easily stands on its own power and prestige, incorporating a wide array of styles all rooted in the blues.
Brad Kava - music reviewer with the San Jose Mercury News quotes - "This guy plays the guitar like a classic Porsche. Beautiful and melodic one minute, then leaning into the curves at 210 miles an hour the next. "Garcia is based in the the San Francisco Bay Area and has toured the world as leader of John Lee Hooker's Coast to Coast Blues Band - including a stop at New York's legendary Carnegie Hall. In recent years he has teamed up on recordings with John Lee Hooker's daughter, Zakiya Hooker and his son John Lee Hooker Jr.
John is a Grammy Nominated blues guitarist for his work on John Lee Hooker Jr's CD - "Blues with a Vengeance"- 2004 and John Lee Hooker Jr's CD - "All Odds Against Me"- 2008. "I call him my inheritance," said Hooker Jr. "Not that he was willed to me as property, but as a recommendation by my dad to try John Garcia. "He's Bad! "Garcia is currently on John Lee Hooker's new CD - "All Hooked Up"- 2013.
John was born in Gilroy California and resides there now. He also teaches guitar in both private and group instruction for local bay area institutions which has been on going for the last 30 years - Gavalin College, South Valley Music Conservatory, Morgan Hill Adult Community School and breakout sessions with the Harmonica Masterclass Workshops all around the world. John is currently on the faculty at the School of the Blues in San Jose, California and the Gilroy Music Academy in Gilroy, California. Garcia is also a published author with Mel Bay Publications.
The Bay City Blues is our weekly showcase of world class Blues music and superb instrumental talent. This event is a celebration of the Blues in all its forms and an adventure into the depth of a national genre. Hosted by the nationally recognized John Garcia & his All-Star cast of Musicians, every week they invite a new special guest to accompany them on stage and present new, upcoming, & old talent from the blues world! Bay City Blues is our tribute and exploration into the Blues genre, it is a special event in which we all get to help, share, & “Preserve the Blues."
About Gary Smith:
Gary Smith started playing harmonica in his hometown of San Jose in the late 1960s. Charlie Musselwhite, who was by then living in the San Francisco Bay Area, was an early teacher and mentor. In 1969, Smith joined his first blues group. The early '70s marked the beginning years of the Gary Smith Blues Band. Not only has Gary Smith become a master of theu harmonica, but he has also become a legend both locally and throughout the blues world, where record collectors covet his 1974 EP as a quintessential harp classic.
About John Garcia:
As a professional singer and guitarist for the last 40 years, John has performed with John Lee Hooker, B.B.King, Johnny Winters, Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt, Albert King and many more. Now on Christmas Eve, John will bring his World Class Blues show back to our cozy club with a seasonal touch of Christmas cheer. In addition to an array of Blues standards, John will also be performing several of his Christmas favorites. Bo Diddley once described John as "One Hell of an Entertainer," and as a Blues guitarist, there are few his equal. Instrumental virtuosity coupled with a unique vocal style are his trademarks. His own recorded work easily stands on its own power and prestige, incorporating a wide array of styles all rooted in the blues.
Brad Kava - music reviewer with the San Jose Mercury News quotes - "This guy plays the guitar like a classic Porsche. Beautiful and melodic one minute, then leaning into the curves at 210 miles an hour the next. "Garcia is based in the the San Francisco Bay Area and has toured the world as leader of John Lee Hooker's Coast to Coast Blues Band - including a stop at New York's legendary Carnegie Hall. In recent years he has teamed up on recordings with John Lee Hooker's daughter, Zakiya Hooker and his son John Lee Hooker Jr.
John is a Grammy Nominated blues guitarist for his work on John Lee Hooker Jr's CD - "Blues with a Vengeance"- 2004 and John Lee Hooker Jr's CD - "All Odds Against Me"- 2008. "I call him my inheritance," said Hooker Jr. "Not that he was willed to me as property, but as a recommendation by my dad to try John Garcia. "He's Bad! "Garcia is currently on John Lee Hooker's new CD - "All Hooked Up"- 2013.
John was born in Gilroy California and resides there now. He also teaches guitar in both private and group instruction for local bay area institutions which has been on going for the last 30 years - Gavalin College, South Valley Music Conservatory, Morgan Hill Adult Community School and breakout sessions with the Harmonica Masterclass Workshops all around the world. John is currently on the faculty at the School of the Blues in San Jose, California and the Gilroy Music Academy in Gilroy, California. Garcia is also a published author with Mel Bay Publications.
read more
About Gary Smith:
Gary Smith started playing harmonica in his hometown of San Jose in the late 1960s. Charlie Musselwhite, who was by then living in the San Francisco Bay Area, was an early teacher and mentor. In 1969, Smith joined his first blues group. The early '70s marked the beginning years of the Gary Smith Blues Band. Not only has Gary Smith become a master of theu harmonica, but he has also become a legend both locally and throughout the blues world, where record collectors covet his 1974 EP as a quintessential harp classic.
About John Garcia:
As a professional singer and guitarist for the last 40 years, John has performed with John Lee Hooker, B.B.King, Johnny Winters, Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt, Albert King and many more. Now on Christmas Eve, John will bring his World Class Blues show back to our cozy club with a seasonal touch of Christmas cheer. In addition to an array of Blues standards, John will also be performing several of his Christmas favorites. Bo Diddley once described John as "One Hell of an Entertainer," and as a Blues guitarist, there are few his equal. Instrumental virtuosity coupled with a unique vocal style are his trademarks. His own recorded work easily stands on its own power and prestige, incorporating a wide array of styles all rooted in the blues.
Brad Kava - music reviewer with the San Jose Mercury News quotes - "This guy plays the guitar like a classic Porsche. Beautiful and melodic one minute, then leaning into the curves at 210 miles an hour the next. "Garcia is based in the the San Francisco Bay Area and has toured the world as leader of John Lee Hooker's Coast to Coast Blues Band - including a stop at New York's legendary Carnegie Hall. In recent years he has teamed up on recordings with John Lee Hooker's daughter, Zakiya Hooker and his son John Lee Hooker Jr.
John is a Grammy Nominated blues guitarist for his work on John Lee Hooker Jr's CD - "Blues with a Vengeance"- 2004 and John Lee Hooker Jr's CD - "All Odds Against Me"- 2008. "I call him my inheritance," said Hooker Jr. "Not that he was willed to me as property, but as a recommendation by my dad to try John Garcia. "He's Bad! "Garcia is currently on John Lee Hooker's new CD - "All Hooked Up"- 2013.
John was born in Gilroy California and resides there now. He also teaches guitar in both private and group instruction for local bay area institutions which has been on going for the last 30 years - Gavalin College, South Valley Music Conservatory, Morgan Hill Adult Community School and breakout sessions with the Harmonica Masterclass Workshops all around the world. John is currently on the faculty at the School of the Blues in San Jose, California and the Gilroy Music Academy in Gilroy, California. Garcia is also a published author with Mel Bay Publications.
show less
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401 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
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