OJAI, CA – The 1st Annual Ojai Blues Festival will b held at the Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montgomery St., on Saturday, August 15. Showtime is 4pm. The Ojai Blues Festival is a continuation of the long-standing Bowlful of Blues Festival that ran for over two decades and was one of the region’s premiere blues events. The great music lineup includes the Alastair Greene Band, Deb Ryder, Shawn Jones, and Crooked Eye Tommy.
Blues and rock have met at many different crossroads. From Cream and Johnny Winter to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Gov’t Mule these blues rock recipes are often boiled down to a simple trio. Such is the melting pot of influences and presentation of the Alastair Greene Band. Greene formed his first blues rock trio with former members of the legendary Southern California band the Pontiax in 1997. The Alastair Greene Band (AGB) has gone through several incarnations and line-ups over the years and has included alumni of the Steve Miller Band, Paul Butterfield Band, and Junior Wells Band. Currently, the line-up has solidified with Alastair Greene on guitar and vocals, Jim Rankin on bass and vocals, and Austin Beede on drums. Greene is also the touring guitarist with Alan Parsons, and has been touring internationally with the English pop/ progressive rock veteran since 2010.
Born outside Chicago, Deb Ryder was influenced by the music of the city, and by her father, a Chicago club sensation. Deb began appearing on stage as a young teen at her stepfather’s famous nightclub The Topanga Corral, where she opened for such blues legends as Etta James, Big Joe Turner and Taj Mahal. It was there that she honed her style as a blues performer. Her much-anticipated debut album “Might Just Get Lucky” was a hit, garnering rave reviews and acclaim. Ryder’s latest release “Let It Rain” was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Tony Braunagel; all eleven Ryder originals are a celebration of the blues from classic to modern, Chicago to New Orleans.
Shawn Jones is the epitome of American Roots/Rock music. He has proven over time that he has an international appeal. Shawn is true to form of his influences, spanning from all the greats in Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz and Country. He has toured in excess of 200 dates a year, creating new fans and followers everywhere he performs. Shawn’s 2013 album, Struggle Makes you Stronger, was picked up by Right Track Distribution, and licensed through the Universal music Group in the UK. With four studio albums and one live album under his belt, Shawn’s skills as a seasoned songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist have put him on the same bill with the likes of B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, Taj Mahal, and many others.
Crooked Eye Tommy have just released their debut effort, Butterflies & Snakes, eleven memorable tunes penned by Crooked Eye Tommy front-person and band namesake Tommy Marsh and Tommy’s brother, guitarist-vocalist, Paddy Marsh (who also plays in the band). Other C.E.T. members include Glade Rasmussen, bass; Tony Cicero, drums; and Jimmy Calire, saxophone/piano/Hammond B3. Featuring scorching performances and original music firmly rooted in traditional blues, which feels familiar but somehow new, Tommy Marsh’s considerable songwriting, vocal and guitar skills have made him a Ventura County favorite.
