On Sunday evening October 15^th,the Southern California blues community was treated to an incredible night of music that is part of an ongoing concert series entitled, World Class Blues in the O.C. Rip Cat recording artists The 44’s were the featured performers that evening. They were joined by special guest guitarist, Kid Ramos. Addionally the band was augmented by a two piece horn section made up of Paulie Serra on tenor sax and Troy Jennings on baritone. 

As it turned out, The 44’s harp player, Tex Nakamura was in Japan. Not to worry a local guy dropped by and lent a hand. That guy just happened to be Kim Wilson. Wilson was brought up to the stage by Ramos who introduced the singer and harp man extraordinaire as his former boss. For many years Kid Ramos sat in the coveted guitar seat of Wilson’s Fabulous Thunderbirds.

If all this musical alchemy wasn’t enough, The 44’s guitarist, Johnny Main, yielded the stage and his guitar to Junior Watson who joined the crew of musicians on stage. The crowd went wild as did the band as the bandstand held true to the billing of world class blues.

Enjoy a photo essay from Alex Gardner. If you were there that night I hope these shots bring back some memories of a very special evening. If you weren’t, you won’t want to miss the next time one of these shows comes to the Tiki Bar in Costa Mesa. When they say world class blues they mean it. When they say special guests, they aren’t just whistling Dixie.

The 44's (Johnny Main, Kid Ramos, J.r. Lozano, Mike Tururro with Paulie Cerra and Troy Jennings)

Johnny Main & Mike Turturro

Kid Ramos, Johnny Main & Mike Turturro

Troy Jennings

Mike Turturro

J.R. Lozano

Johnny Main

Kim Wilson

Kid Ramos

Kid Ramos, Johnny Main & Kim Wilson

Kid Ramos & Junior Watson

Kid Ramos, Junior Watson and Kim Wilson

Paulie Cerra & Troy Jennings

Kid Ramos & Kim Wilson

Kid Ramos, Junior Watson & Kim Wilson