CD COVER PHOTO BY KRYSTAL KOZAK
Rising SoCal blues musician Jon Geiger, returns to headline Harvelle’s, the place where he recorded his just-released Jon Geiger: Live at Harvelle’s, Friday, December 15. Show: 9pm. $10. 1432 4th St. Info: (310) 395-1676 or visit www.harvelles.com.
The thirteen-track album was recorded completely live this past Spring and Summer at famed blues club Harvelle’s in Santa Monica, Calif., where Geiger was a regular, headlining performer. Below is a short synopsis of each of the tracks.
What The Critics Are Saying About Jon Geiger: Live At Harvelle’s
“Live at Harvelle’s” is a raw and gritty selection of tracks performed by an artist that is the real deal, with rock and roll energy fused with jazzy blues and iron tough skill. Jon Geiger pulls no punches and simply knocks it out with blazing hot riffs and sweet grooves, backed by his heavy hitter bandmates, this album is a fiery hit. On ‘Feeling Good,’ Jon’s blues roots shine through, just a bit of distortion which is stirring and driving in this song of hope and some well-known desperation.”
“The SoCal bar scene is thriving with artists like Jon Geiger. I’ve never heard him before, but this is an album I will be cherishing for a long time to come. Geiger plays, mainly, a slow Blues with a dark intensity. His solos border on jazz and his deep baritone vocal has a hard edge to it that is really exciting. In many ways reminiscent of sixties progressive Blues bands such as Taste or Groundhogs, from the opening number – a stunning workout around Bill Withers ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ – to the last psychedelic and Trower-esque Blues of ‘I Dream’ – I was transfixed.”
“Blues/rock guitarist and singer Jon Geiger is in fine form on this slightly-rough around-the-edges performance with an appealing rawness that isn’t afraid of the occasional bum note. It’s the real deal. A subsequent accident left him with no feeling in one hand but he resolved to do whatever was necessary to play again; now he’s turning heads on the LA scene and no doubt savoring every moment. When he’s soloing that’s very noticeable, particularly against the jazzy runs of bassist Watson… Jon doesn’t go so much for speed or flash as emotional content, letting the notes fall where they may.”
(Photo by Krystal Kozak)
JON GEIGER – LIVE FROM HARVELLE’S (2023) – TRACK LISTING
1. Bullet 2. I Dream 3. Desert of My Heart 4. Ain’t No Sunshine 5. The Voice 6. Feeling Good 7. Texas Flyer 8. Guardian Angel 9. Prison of Love 10. Don’t Hang Me Out To Dry 11. Day To Day 12. These Blues 13. Cross To Bear
Jon Geiger has been called one of SoCal’s hardest-working blues men, and for good reason: The blues-rock guitarist and vocalist is seemingly always gigging, whether throughout Southern California, at a Blues Festival, or elsewhere. Through hard work, solid performances and stick-to-it persistence, Geiger has emerged as a national touring act, performing on the Main Stage at the 2023 Woodystock Blues Festival in Lake Havasu City, and set to perform at the New Blues Festival in Long Beach, California in September 2024.
A veteran of the Austin music scene, Geiger grew up in New York and became a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu just to make it home from school safely on the tough streets of Harlem. The deep soul of BB King’s “Live at the Regal” and the ferocious intensity of Eric Clapton’s guitar work were life-changing for Jon. Playing guitar became Jon’s reason for living.
The talent and passion of teen-aged Jon were quickly recognized by jazz greats such as Emily Remler and Hiram Bullock, both whom took him on as a student. Remler even referred to Jon as her ‘protégé.’ His talent and hard work paid off with a full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music. “John Scofield and Mike Stern (both whom played with Miles Davis) were both as big a part of my path as Emily and Hiram. They would hand me off in some cases from one to the other when they toured,” recalls Geiger. “I studied at their knee in their homes and no one cheered louder when I got my scholarships,” Geiger says.
After completing his studies in Boston, Jon promptly moved to Austin and began working alongside Austin’s numerous great musicians while playing Antone’s and the Texas’ numerous blues haunts. Presently, Jon and band continue their ascent on the Los Angeles music scene, with his unique blend of captivating guitar work, soaring vocals and artful songwriting.
Geiger has opened for Robben Ford, John Mayall, Charlie Sexton, Doyle Bramhall, and Joe Ely among other greats.