Sunday Blues for Lunch and Dinner

SAUL KAYE

This weekend the Sacramento Blues Society hosted a competition for the band and solo/duo act that would represent Sacramento in Memphis. The event was held at the former Clarion Hotel at Auburn Boulevard and Fulton Avenue from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Although the old-timers didn’t just give it up, in my opinion the show was stolen by two young in differing categories.

Saul Kaye, whose latest “record” is entitled “Jewish Blues”, played two of his original songs, one detailing the struggles of the Jewish slaves in the time of Moses and the other relating the story of his grandfather being cured of the Black Water Plague through the unusual three day administration of Zulu Beer in Africa. Not only were the subjects different from what most associate with the blues, but the delivery was unique. Kaye has a very watchable habit of cocking his fedora forward on his head every so often, as well as slapping his guitar for emphasis. This musician was a delight visually as well as to the ears.

STEVENSON PROFFITT

In the band category, The Stevenson Proffitt Band is aptly named after a 30-year-old phenom guitar-player. Profitt is endowed with magic fingers and a musically maturity beyond his years. The music he produces on his guitars played as much across his face and out into the room full of blues aficionados. After flitting his fingers, without the benefit of picks, across the strings at indeterminable speed, he sat for one number and made the guitar pop as it lay on his lap; it seemed as if it was speaking in tongues.

There were some especially interesting moments from others that appeared. Allie of the duo “Allie Marcel & Dave Baldwin”, sang his self-penned song called “Psychic Vampire Blues” describing painful love affairs in a bizarre and humorous way. Not to be missed was the saxophonist from “Cold Truth” who played two saxes at once. Then another of the younger crowd, Matty Tayton, from the band named after him, “Matty T”, also demonstrated flying fingers – but the thing about Matty that I found myself thinking was, “Some guys just know how to look cool.”

The event was well planned and well attended. The Sacramento Blues Society does a good job of supporting and presenting the Blues in Sacramento. You can join the group for $25 and get reduced admissions, a newsletter and frequent emails letting you know what’s happening locally. If you love the blues, you’ll never be bored in SAC if you’ve got a membership to this group.


JUDGING
The judges were (from left) Bo Ely, a former promoter, and long-time blues aficionado, Brenda Taylor from Po’ Boyz Restaurant, Charles Washington an active member of the Sacramento Blues Society since the 70s and Marina Texiera, the manager of the famous landmark night spot “The Torch Club.”

Since I wasn’t able to stay through the whole competition I missed out on hearing the winning band, “The Aces", as well as the announcements as to the winners. Lew Fratis and Jimmy Pailer won the solo/duo competition as well. While, I personally dug Saul Kaye’s style, Fratis and Pailer were great to watch and listen to as well. Best wishes to the winners in the upcoming 2009 International Blues Challenge in Memphis this February. I’m sure they’ll do Sacramento proud.