World class blues musicians playing in a strip mall, in the San Fernando Valley, on a Monday night? Someone has got to be yanking my chain.

In late January, BLUES JUNCTION Productions trudged through L.A. traffic (and O.C. traffic for that matter) to see what the heck was happening on a school night, way out west. I found a room full of blues music fans having a blast at Cadillac Zack’s weekly Monday Blues Party & Jam.

Zack is a writer, guitarist, blues musicologist, president of the Southern California Blues Society and the ring leader of the Monday jam that takes place at the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon in Tarzana. He has been hosting this jam since August of 2007.

Blues jams are a dime a dozen. They are not very often high art or even good lowdown blues. What distinguishes Zack’s gig is that he has been booking nationals on an otherwise off night. He has the good sense and foresight to put this talent on earlier in the evening so those who are employed can get a reasonably good night’s sleep, remain employed and therefore be able to spend their resulting discretionary income at the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon. Brilliant!

In recent months Zack has booked Nick Moss, Janiva Magness, Johnny Dyer, Doug MacLeod, Deacon Jones, Finis Tasby, Barbara Morrison, Barry Goldberg, Dave Melton, Rick Holmstrom, Bobby Warren, Bernie Pearl, Mitch Kashmar, John Mayall, Eddie Baytos, James Harman and others.

Cadillac Zack & John Mayall (photo courtesy of Maggie Mayall)

On January 24^th, singer/harmonica player/guitarist and songwriter Al Blake and his long time musical colleague,keyboard player Fred Kaplan graced the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon stage. They were joined by Al’s protégé, Kirk Fletcher on guitar. Blake and Kaplan made up two fifths of the legendary Hollywood Fats Band.

This ensemble which includes fellow Hollywood Fats Band originals, bassist Larry Taylor and drummer Richard Innes, has morphed into the Delta Groove Recording artists The Hollywood Blue Flames. Their latest recording is the 2010 release Deep in America and it’s a good one. The album also features the iconic, idiosyncratic and influential guitarist Junior Watson,

along with Fletcher on guitar. This night, Blake, Kaplan and Fletcher were backed up by Zack on second guitar, Kenny Huff on bass as well as Ed Mann on drums. They played original material from Deep In America, their 2006 CD Road to Rio as well as tunes from the 2005 Hollywood Blue Flames initial release Soul Sanctuary.

The Maui Sugar Mill Saloon looks like a friendly neighborhood tavern. It has been open since 1976. The décor has never been updated. In the middle of Trendville, U.S.A. there is something comforting about a place that is this self-assured.

Upcoming special guests to the jam include Mississippi Bluesman Johnny Dyer, the California Honey Drops from Oakland, CA coming later this month as well as a special Valentine’s Day show.

Even though the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon is about 60 miles from my neighborhood, I shall return. After all, old blues fans sure as hell don’t just fade away.

-David Mac

The Maui Sugar Mill Saloon is located at 18389 Ventura Blvd. Tarzana, CA 91356 (see links page)