Category: ‘Art “N” Soul

ABOUT BLUES GUITARIST HENRY CARVAJAL

(Editor’s note: Life has been so jammed packed that time has been at a premium for Jackaboutguitars…My sincerest thanks to Henry Carvajal and apologies for taking so long to get this interview out there to his public.  Thanks for you’re patience and understanding, Henry!            –    Jack

Photos by Ed Huerta unless otherwise noted.)

HENRY “THE HAMMER” CARVAJAL…(NICKNAME PENDING) by ED HUERTA

Let me just tell you people, Henry Carvajal has his act together.  I am not sure how much interaction you all have with musicians. but punctuality isn’t usually high on most musician’s list of things to deal with.

Dig.  Henry and I set up an interview appointment at 3 o’clock-ish at the World Famous DiPiazza’s Restaurant in Long Beach, California on a Monday, and no sooner did I show up, when Hammerin’ Henry strolls through the door.  I wasn’t even set up yet!  He has got to be the most prompt musician I have ever met.

Henry made a great first impression, Peeps, and if I was an employer, I would have given him the job right on the spot along with a company car (just for being a musician showing up on time)!  This is how impressive of a feat this is, Ladies and Gents.

Needless to say, I blame the Hammer (I learned Henry doesn’t have a nickname so I made this up, maybe it will catch on) for my mistake in missing the first part of our interview!

Just kidding, but I didn’t want to call Henry and try to recreate the magic that we encountered on our encounter or to check on what kind of condition our condition was in either, so relax, put the problems of the day behind you and take a trip with Henry Carvajal and his life in the blues…

Continue reading ABOUT BLUES GUITARIST HENRY CARVAJAL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KEEPIN’ IT REAL’S STEVE SOEST AND ‘ART ‘N’ SOUL’S ED HUERTA

YOU GUYS MAKE IT HAPPEN!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KEEPIN’ IT REAL’S STEVE SOEST AND ‘ART ‘N’ SOUL’S ED HUERTA

Jackaboutguitars wishes Steve Soest & Ed Huerta ‘THE BEST’ all year long! Your hard work is appreciated here at Jackaboutguitars.

Happy Birthday to Keepin’ It Real’s Steve Soest and ‘Art ‘N’ Soul’s Ed Huerta.

Here are a couple of tunes hot off the press

JOE BAIZA’S SONIC REIGN by ED HUERTA

TIME FOR MORE OF ED HUERTA’S HE‘ART “N” SOUL

Welcome to Ed Huerta’s He‘Art “N” Soul.  This is the 4th installment here on Jackaboutguitars.com.  If you are new to this column, then a little introduction is in order.  It’s not at all about the interviews with the megastars of music.  This column sheds some light on some very talented people that you may not recognize by name.  These musicians need their stories told as much as the Clapton’s of the world.  So kick back and relax for a few minutes.  I truly appreciate you and please enjoy as I delve into the stories of these artists’ music and what they have to say.     –  Ed Huerta

 

This profile is about a man that should be a household word amongst musicians; guitarists especially.  He is certainly well known in the punk rock and jazz genres.  Now wait, don’t go turning off your mind because I said the “P” word.  Punk rock doesn’t necessarily mean drugged out kids running around in black leather with Mohawks and razor blades embedded in their skin.  That’s the old television show (see Quincy M.E.) image meant to send mom and dad scurrying into your room to throw away your Ramones and Vandals records and to discover your p*t stash that you thought you hid well.

 

There are several types of punk rock as there are several types of jazz or blues or rock and roll.  So now that this is understood, read on and experience the man that several of his musical contemporaries have called the “Carlos Santana of punk rock”.  In my opinion, this is much too limiting of a moniker.

 

Continue reading JOE BAIZA’S SONIC REIGN by ED HUERTA

SCOTT ABEYTA: LAYING THE TRACK THAT MOTOR-VATES THE BLUES EXPRESS by ED HUERTA

 

First off, it’s great to be back here on Jackaboutguitars.com.  This post will reside in the “Art N Soul” Section of the blog.  This is where I will be uncovering the lesser known personalities out there plying their craft.  It’s not about Eric Clapton or Jeff Beck(the guys who became successful long ago), though I will listen if their people want to set up an interview.

 

This column will try to get some talented people out there to you, the guitar fan, that will hopefully appreciate these collective talents. Enough yakkin’ and on to the story…

SCOTT ABEYTA: LAYING THE TRACK THAT MOTOR-VATES THE BLUES EXPRESS by ED HUERTA

SCOTT ABEYTA – GUITARIST FOR WHITEBOY JAMES AND THE BLUES EXPRESS

 

 

Continue reading SCOTT ABEYTA: LAYING THE TRACK THAT MOTOR-VATES THE BLUES EXPRESS by ED HUERTA

CORY DAVIS: THE BEST GUITARIST YOU MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD OF… by Ed Huerta

CORY DAVIS:   THE BEST GUITARIST YOU MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD OF… by Ed Huerta

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE AUTHOR

World renowned artist and writer  Ed Huerta, is making his 2nd appearance at Jackaboutguitars.  “The Prince of Primitive” was born in Los Angeles and currently resides in Long Beach, California.  A longtime musician, Ed has played in several L.A./O.C. bands, including The Jack Brewer Band, The Lazy Cowgirls, The Final Tourguides, Moist and Meaty, Mind Over 4, The Silly Millions, & Eddie & The Trays.  He has also toured the U.S. and Europe as a drummer.  Huerta started painting in 2007 as a way to relieve stress and to forget about everyday problems.

Many of his paintings involve fictional situations comprised of famous iconic people i.e. Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, Paul Lynde, Groucho Marx, Brian Wilson, & the likes of Charles Manson.  Several musicians, from jazz and blues icons/legends, to hard-working local musicians, are highlighted in his paintings.  Many of these paintings hang in the homes of famous artists and musicians and local Long Beach and Orange County establishments have Huerta’s work hanging on their walls and garden areas.

“Someone once told me that it looks like I’m grasping at that line between bad taste and achieving utter genius.  Many of my paintings reflect the battle of Good vs. Evil, or the battle within oneself.  My upbringing seems to permeate a lot of my work…the heaven and the hell along with the humor that one has to have to deal with every day life, whether it’s the fire one has to endure or brings upon himself, or the goodness one strives to accomplish.”

“I started painting with acrylic on canvas, hardboard and wood surfaces.  I like to recreate on round wood tabletops, old 78 rpm record labels.  I like the look that old 78 labels had.”  Ed has more recently experimented with oils in a lot of his portrait of jazz icon series work.  “The oils are warmer, breathe better…have a more life-like feel to them…but an obvious disadvantage for a left-hander!” Ed continues to play music (currently drumming in Lord Ransom and his Ranch Hands) and paint while his wife and two English Bulldogs and 3 cats lounge around and cheer him on.  The following article on Cory Davis: THE BEST GUITARIST YOU MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD OF is Ed Huerta’s  second contribution to Jackaboutguitars.  Enjoy.   – Jack


 A note from Author Ed Huerta : I would like to clarify one thing about this and future articles I will be doing for Jackaboutguitars.   If you come to this column and expect to read about Eric Clapton, James Hetfield, or even John Mayer, then please, move on.  In this column, I’ll be writing about lesser known guitarists and musicians.

 

I am hoping to spread the word about and open your eyes to other genres or talented players that are out there entertaining nightly in bars and clubs.  This doesn’t mean that these people have lesser talent or abilities.  As a past and current part-time musician,  fame is basically a crapshoot, with the music industry churning out and chewing up artists, as they deem necessary, anointing certain people with “Starpower” while others spend years honing their craft on stages and barroom concrete floors.

 

I would like to use this column for people to get a glimpse behind the scenes of what these musicians’ deal with and the spirit and influences that drive them forward.  As Jack  from jackaboutguitars shows on this website, the guitar and music are powerful tools that drive people to push limits, and if the spirit really gets inside of you, it’s a lifelong commitment.  Thank you Dear Readers for understanding my reasons and now please read on.   I hope you enjoy these brief moments inside the world of guitar players and their journeys…   – Ed Huerta

   

CORY DAVIS:  THE BEST GUITARIST YOU MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD OF…

 

Before I get into Cory’s story and history, let me take a few minutes and explain to some casual readers or fans of music how this interview opened up my eyes to the true musician’s world.  Upon writing this article, I stumbled upon certain truths that musicians hold dear.  Now I’m not talking about your pre-fabricated, record company, spoon fed, you know whos; not talking about the people that have never played a nightclub or a bar; or if they did show up onstage in a seedy area of town, would get their @*%^# kicked immediately by patron reaction to their soulless crap.  I’m talking about gut-busting blues, about music from the soul, about paying ones dues, about accepting your gift and taking it as far as the world will let you take it, regardless of consequences or fame.

Continue reading CORY DAVIS: THE BEST GUITARIST YOU MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD OF… by Ed Huerta

GUITAR SHORTY: TEXAS BLUES LEGEND by ED HUERTA

 A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE AUTHOR

World renowned artist and writer  Ed Huerta, “The Prince of Primitive”, was born in Los Angeles and currently resides in Long Beach, California.  A longtime musician, Ed has played in several L.A./O.C. bands, including The Jack Brewer Band, The Lazy Cowgirls, The Final Tourguides, Moist and Meaty, Mind Over 4, The Silly Millions, & Eddie & The Trays.  Huerta started painting in 2007 as a way to relieve stress and to forget about everyday problems.

Many of his paintings involve fictional situations comprised of famous iconic people i.e. Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, Paul Lynde, Groucho Marx, Brian Wilson, & the likes of Charles Manson.  Several musicians, from jazz and blues icons/legends, to hard-working local musicians, are highlighted in his paintings.  Many of these paintings hang in the homes of famous artists and musicians and local Long Beach and Orange County establishments have Huerta’s work hanging on their walls and garden areas.

“Someone once told me that it looks like I’m grasping at that line between bad taste and achieving utter genius.  Many of my paintings reflect the battle of Good vs. Evil, or the battle within oneself.  My upbringing seems to permeate a lot of my work…the heaven and the hell along with the humor that one has to have to deal with every day life, whether it’s the fire one has to endure or brings upon himself, or the goodness one strives to accomplish.”

“I started painting with acrylic on canvas, hardboard and wood surfaces.  I like to recreate on round wood tabletops, old 78 rpm record labels.  I like the look that old 78 labels had.”  Ed has more recently experimented with oils in a lot of his portrait of jazz icon series work.  “The oils are warmer, breathe better…have a more life-like feel to them…but an obvious disadvantage for a left-hander!” Ed continues to play music (currently drumming in Lord Ransom and his Ranch Hands) and paint while his wife and two English Bulldogs and 3 cats lounge around and cheer him on.  The following article on Texas Blues Legend Guitar Shorty is Ed’s first contribution to Jackaboutguitars.  Enjoy.   – Jack

GUITAR SHORTY:  TEXAS BLUES LEGEND

Guitar Shorty is not your common household variety name, though he should be, and deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as guitarists Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix. He is known to have influenced both Buddy Guy and Jimi Hendrix.

 

In the world of blues guitarists, Guitar Shorty’s name rings as true as Muhammad Ali’s does to the sport of boxing. Surprisingly enough, Guitar Shorty was not born into this world with this moniker. He was born David William Kearney on September 8, 1939 in Houston, Texas.

Continue reading GUITAR SHORTY: TEXAS BLUES LEGEND by ED HUERTA