W#3: Live Band Review

Living with the Blues -- You Never Know What You're Going to Get

On March 21, 2017, I took a visit to Matt Denny's Ale House Restaurant in Arcadia, CA, to listen to their Songwriter Serenade, where many local small-name artists perform in front of a full sized crowd every Tuesday night.

People listen to an artist perform during the Songwriter Serenade at Matt Denny's Ale House Restaurant.

Throughout all of the performers on the night, one caught my eye (or rather, my ears) that night. He stood out from the rest of the artists in both his style and charisma.

Thelonius James "TJ" Sullivan has been playing the blues his entire life. While the other artists on the night went with the country, bluegrass and folk music route, Sullivan stayed true to his own unique style, the only style that he's ever known.

TJ Sullivan (left) performing with a band at a small night club.

He showcased his style without any shame by beginning with a song called "Chicken Pie." Combine these songs with a natural-guitar player, and the rough and raspy voice needed to be a blues singer, and you have TJ Sullivan.

At 63-years old, TJ has been playing for about 50 years in the industry, making albums and performing all over the country. He has been a resident of Los Angeles and Burbank since 1976, and has had many projects with bands and other musicians from the Southern California night club scene.

Taj-Mahal

He describes his music as blues, with jazz and southern rock influence. Sullivan also named artists such as Taj-Mahal, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Alvin Collins as some of his biggest music influences.

B.B. King

He also thought back on the history of the artists that came before him, and reflected on those artists. He stated that it took for people like Ray Charles and Little Richard to come around and have an impact on the industry of rock, soul, jazz and blues. Before that, people didn't make much money in the industry, and he's fortunate to be in the position that he's in.

His influences can easily be seen and heard in his music. However, that does not mean that he carries the exact same style as his influences.

Unless one was a devoted and close follower of Sullivan's music, you really would not know what to expect next from Sullivan -- one song could be about food (like chicken pie), while the next could be about drugs, love, life or any other idea that Sullivan is inspired to write about.

Sullivan shared that he is always inspired to create new music -- all he needs is an idea to be planted.

"Inspiration comes everyday. I always have a notebook with me," Sullivan said. "The most important thing for me in writing a song, is the premise, an idea. Let's talk about all the lies that government is giving us everyday. Just get me something to write about, and BAM!"

Sometimes those inspirations include conspiracy theories and other issues that may be considered controversial, or stories from the music industry that American has yet to hear of.

Sullivan even shared how some famous musicians had ripped off other's without getting caught:

"Led Zeppelin's first album ripped off all of Willie Dixon's songs, and he got rich off of it," Sullivan stated.

Whether the claim is true or not, it adds to the intriguing personality of Sullivan, which was one of the most likable traits that he has.

Is he crazy? Maybe a little. Is he different? In every way imaginable, and that's what makes a good entertainer. Is he predictable? Not at all, and that's what's great about artists such as Sullivan -- you never know what you are going to get.