LAMN

ON THE LAMN: Suga’s Blues Jam at Cozy’s Bar and Grill

19 Mar 2009

March 18, 2009

By Winnie Jow

Cozy’s Bar & Grill turns into a special place for blues cats and music industry folk alike every Monday night. Hosted by the charismatic and talented Sugaray, lead singer of Aunt Kizzy’z Boyz and the San Fernando Valley’s own southern hospitality blues star, Suga’s Blues Jam has featured everyone from Al Kooper to Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell and Tool’s Danny Carey jamming to down-home and high-energy blues. For photos from the event, click here.

On March 9 the house band kicked off the evening with guitarist-engineer and owner of SlideAway Music Studios Chuck Kavooras celebrating his birthday bash which brought out a ton of quality people. Twentieth Century Fox’s Jackie Langa arrived early wearing a smile and danced to a few tunes, and then caught some mardi gras beads that Sugaray threw to the ladies in the crowd. Always sharp, Sugaray looked especially spiffy in a sheen brown luster suit embellished with a tan paisley pattern and lit up the place with his smile as he tossed more beads to lovely indie label proprietress / singer-songwriter Zita Berger who attended with foreign friends in tow, one of whom is currently working on a mysterious music series (she demurred when asked for details).

Among those jamming were guitarist Richard Martin Ross, formerly of the band Journey, whose performance credits include Wilson Pickett and B.B. King. Gary Mallaber, drummer for the Steve Miller Band and Van Morrison performed like the seasoned pro he is followed by a young female blues singer Gedina Jean who has star quality, a welcome smile and a soulful voice. Saxophonist Aurelius DeMarco is a Cozy’s regular and his snazzy blues style brings soul and spirit to every act lucky enough to grab him for a two-song set. Late in the evening, drummer Mark Allee added a rockin’ blues beat and it’s obvious why legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder and John Legend have shared the stage with him.

Rounding out the crowd was celebrity photographer Suzan Jones (whose iconic portraits have her in high demand) who brought a posse of her own including Jewell Sparks, a young lady whose strategic marketing expertise gets her on the inside of today’s major multi-national record labels. Two others arrived with Jones, including Lex and Christine, makeup artists extraordinaire, who were seen having a blast and enjoying a few drinks in Cozy’s friendly atmosphere. We also saw Rain Boe Wave who is not only a veteran of the music industry but also a pianist, opera singer and rock star. She has it all together and many men were seen throughout the evening trying to catch her eye.

Everyone from ladies to gents and blues guitarists to rock gods has a great time at this weekly hang.

SOURCES FOR MORE INFO:

Cozy’s Bar & Grill – Home of Suga’s Blues Jam

14058 Ventura Blvd.

Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Tel: (818) 986-6000

www.cozysblues.com

Monday’s @ 9:30 p.m.

Cost: FREE

All are welcome to come listen, dance or jam!

Cozy’s Bar and Grill:

http://www.cozysblues.com/