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Gary Smith and the Houserockers with special guest Andy Just
June 18, 2022 @ 1:20 pm - 2:20 pm at Plaza de Cesar Chavez
About the Event
The Houserockers played the inaugural Fountain Blues Festival on San Jose State’s campus in 1980 and continue to rock Bay Area fans for over four decades with their harmonica-driven, jump blues/rock, boasting a stellar lineup that includes: front man Gary Smith (vocals/harmonica); Gary B. Weller (guitar); Frank DeRose (bass); Sid Morris (keys/vocals); Jack Sanford (saxophone) and Jimmy Mulleniux (drums). The Houserockers promise to keep blues fans dancing out of their seats with a contagious mix of 1950’s-60’s Chicago blues, combined with the jump blues/swing sounds from Texas and the West Coast – and the right dose of piano-driven New Orleans’ R&B.
Innovative harmonica virtuoso Andy Just – also no stranger to the Festival having played numerous times since the late 80s – will join this legendary Bay Area line up to show why he is considered one of the most powerful harp players since James Cotton. Andy spent his early days honing his unique style in bands with blues legends Chris Cain and The Ford Blues Band, as well as playing on side projects with Lowell Fulson, Fenton Robinson, Luther Tucker and John Lee Hooker. He’s been compared to greats like Sonny Boy Williamson and Charlie Parker, while adding his own elements of soul, jazz and rock. This will be a unique reunion for past and present Bay Area Blues fans.
Details
Date:
June 18, 2022
Time:
1:20 pm - 2:20 pm
About the Venue
Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Plaza de Cesar Chavez is situated on over two acres in Downtown San Jose. It is a popular place to hang out as it is located near museums such as The Tech Interactive and the illustrious San Jose Museum of Art. The park regularly attracts visitors with its musical performances and festivals.
Quick Link: Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Fountain Blues Foundation
The Fountain Blues Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is organized to preserve and promote the indigenous American music known as the blues, and related genres like rock 'n' roll and R&B. Activities take a variety of forms, including live performances, broadcasts, lectures, and community education, culminating in the longest-running blues festival in Northern California: the San Jose Fountain Blues & Brews Festival and live music events throughout the year.
New This Year: Follow the Music
We are thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration between Fountain Blues Foundation and Follow the Music, a pioneering music education and emerging artists program. Follow the Music, spearheaded by a passionate group who recognize the profound impact of music, boasts honorary guests such as 49er legend and NFL Hall-of-Famer Ronnie Lott, alongside Oakland music icon and Elevate Oakland co-founder Sheila E.
This innovative program, developed in partnership with Elevate Oakland and key stakeholders in arts, entertainment, media, and sports, serves as the gateway into the vibrant South Bay community. By joining forces with Follow the Music, Fountain Blues Foundation aims to enrich the lives of young people by bringing the transformative power of music directly into their lives. Together, we envision a future where music becomes a catalyst for inspiration, creativity, and community engagement, and we invite you to be a part of this impactful journey.