Page 40 - Akae Beka

Jammin’ On The High C’s

On BOard THe Legendary rHyTHm & BLues Cruise

A glimpse of the LRBC piano bar. Photo by Ÿ Joseph A. Rosen

By Mitch Woods We pair up, and it’s always a ball with some of my fellow
In 2002, I was invited as a special guest on the Legendary pounders who each has his or her own style of blues.
Rhythm & Blues Cruise (LRBC). Cruise promoter Roger Naber Some of the pianists include Rob Rio, Kenny “Blues Boss”
asked me aboard and said, “Just do what you want, sit in, Wayne and Scotty Miller, who plays with Ruthie Foster and
writes his own tunes. Reverend Billy C. Wirtz is always hilarious
wherever.” I noticed there was a piano bar on the ship, so I went with his own crazy tunes, like “Mennonite Surf Party”... you
in late one night and started playing. Pretty soon, I had a crowd have to hear and see him to understand. Eden Brent is another
– everyone gathered around the piano, having a great time. wonderful vocalist and pianist, and has had legendary sessions
After many drinks and a lively crowd with some musicians in the piano bar.
sitting in, the place was rockin’. At about 4 a.m., I decided it was As far as tunes go, I have a big repertoire of blues, New
time to go to bed and bid everyone a good night. About a half Orleans classics and my own tunes. I enjoy getting the crowd
hour later, I got a call from Tracy, one of the LRBC staff, who said, involved and singing along (Sing Along With Mitch!). “Rockin’
“get your ass down here to the piano bar, you got a full house!” Pneumonia,” “How Blue Can You Get” and “Boom Boom” all go
So I came ambling back from my room in my pajamas, and I over well. As people loosen up and the alcohol takes effect, things
noticed a handwritten sign on the door that said, “Mitch Woods’ can get crazy. I have had times when drunk cruisers have taken
Club 88!” I proceeded to pound the ivories ‘til dawn, and that over. One night, I had a blitzed harmonica player reach over the
was the beginning of Mitch Woods’ Club 88 and the piano bar ledge of the piano bar to adjust his mic and he fell in, under the
on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. piano! That’s when I left and went to bed!
What you have to understand is that it is a blues piano bar... The piano bar has become one of the most fun venues on the
no Elton John or Billy Joel! When I first started the piano bar, I cruise. You never know what will happen or who will show up. I
was the only piano player, but now we have six or seven players invite everyone – cruisers and pro musicians alike – to come and
who all take shifts. Of course, they usually leave the late-night sit in. I have had Tab Benoit playing buckets and spoons along
shift to me and I still come in my pajamas. Now there are two with me, James Cotton on harp, Taj Mahal on guitar, Tommy
pianos as well, so some nights are dueling piano shows. Castro, Roomful of Blues' horns and the California Honeydrops,

38 Blues Festival Guide 2020