2019 Baja Blues Fest – Fight For The Blues

Mercedes Moore

The 8th annual Baja Blues Fest kicks off under the bluest of blue skies at the historical Rosarito Beach Hotel, an oceanfront resort located 30 miles from the California border. The mission is to improve the lives of Baja children through literacy, financial aid and higher education, propelled by the power of timeless music at an unforgettable event.

The Cause

Baja Blues fest Organization is a non-profit 501(c)3 that serves to fund raise and assist other fundraisers in helping the children of Baja. You might say they’ve gotten pretty good at it; in the 8 years they’ve been active, they have accumulated an astonishing $100,000+ for Mexican children with the help of similarly aligned charities. They include:

BECA (Benefiting Education & Community Advancement)

Los Angelitos Orphanage

Friends of the Library

La Misión Children’s Fund

These organizations have undoubtedly helped countless children in all aspects of their lives, and through the combined efforts of tireless volunteers, organizers and musicians, created hope and opportunity where there wasn’t before. This alone makes the Baja Blues Fest a huge success —and we haven’t even gotten to the music yet! Speaking of which…

Anthony Cullins

The Bands

What better way to start off a blues fest that supports younger generations than a band whose purpose is exactly that? JL Blues Project’s sole mission is to keep the blues alive through younger musicians by giving them a stage to showcase their talents. Players of all ages perform regularly in this seasoned group, and being a musical vehicle of support, truly embody the spirit of the Baja Blues Fest.

“I fight for the blues, I fight for education here” -Jacko Levy, bandleader and guitarist of JL Blues Project

Blues meets 60’s psychedelia in Stephanie & the Surrealistics. This ever-evolving, two-time SDMA nominated band clearly have musical knowledge and appreciation beyond their years; Shades of Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Jefferson Airplane and Jimi Hendrix are just a few influences of these 5 diverse players. Big thundering riffs -coupled with lead singer Stephanie Brown’s impressive vocal range- make for an exciting young band with a deep respect for the past. We’re looking forward to their future.

Mercedes Moore, of the nominal Mercedes Moore Band seems to have one goal onstage; have a great time and make sure the audience is doing the same! (ok, maybe that’s two goals) She succeeds of course, and brings the Baja crowds to their feet and dancing in mere minutes of their first tune. Sultry and seductive, her ability to entertain a crowd while delivering soulful vocals is impressive to witness, and she makes it look easy.

Jade Bennett & Gino Matteo Band

Tearing up the piano along with backup vocals was none other than Taryn Donath, who I’m almost positive used all 88-keys in her arsenal as she shredded up and down her keyboard for an hour straight.

No bass player, no problem.

Taryn’s left hand filled the low end with rolling bass lines and a lightning-quick right hand to match.

“I discovered Ramsey Lewis in my 20’s, he’s pretty much my favorite piano player”…“as for the other stuff, I actually listen to a lot of guitarists. If you listen to my playing, I play like a guitar player”

-Taryn “T-Bird” Donath

Anthony Cullins Band (AKA the Fallbrook Kid)

2:45 rolls around after hours of great music under clear skies when Anthony Cullins Band joins the stage.

Backwater Blues Band

Anthony may be considered a different breed when it comes to musical ability; His undeniably stunning technical prowess reaches -but never oversteps- his ability to deliver meaning and soul in both his guitar playing and vocals. his depth of music knowledge and deep understanding of his instrument allow him to effortlessly express musical ideas that connect with a captivated audience.

…Did I mention he just graduated high school?

An award winning young player, Anthony Cullins has experience and abilities well beyond his 18 years of life. We await to see where his prodigious talent takes him next, The sky is the limit for “The FallBrook Kid”

“I will say this; Blues on it’s own is never going to die because the thing is, it’s a root to all music” -Anthony Cullins

The crowd is energized after a blistering set by “The Fallbrook Kid” As “mighty” Mike Schermer and Deanna Bogart takes the stage with the highly acclaimed San Diego native Backwater Blues Band, a veritable who’s who of top-notch musicians.

JL Blues Project

This is where I want to give a very special shoutout to the Bandleader of these seasoned pros, Tom Stewart. He also happens to be the Music Director, producer and talent organizer of the Baja Blues Fest itself. Tom works a tireless 9 months out of the year to make sure this festival runs smoothly, and is one of the biggest reasons the Baja Blues Fest has had 8 successful runs in a row; All while growing in size and popularity.

“If you play music from the heart, someone’s going to get it -it doesn’t matter if it’s popular or not, someone’s going to get it” -Mike Schermer

These words from “Mighty” Mike Schermer ring especially true during his set; His punchy, bright Telecaster punctuating his soulful twang that always serves the song, and knows how to make a crowd dance. Mike Schermer is a difficult player to pigeon-hole. At times soul, motown, funk, to almost country-inspired, the undercurrent of blues music naturally runs through his veins. Mike Schermer has taken his deep knowledge of blues music and turned it into something uniquely him, and he proudly wears his love of blues on his sleeve.

Every once in a blue moon, you have a musician who seems to excel in just about any genre. rarer still, is that musician’s ability to play multiple instruments at the highest level. Deanna Bogart comfortably occupies this genre-free space with her self-described “blusion” of jazz, country, boogie-woogie, and of course, the blues. A true musician’s musician, Deanna displays stunning chops on both saxophone and piano with equal expertise. A musical chameleon, Deanna performs what and where she is needed in the song with enviable ease, and delivers top-tier musicality while doing it.

Backwater Blues Band

Following “Mighty” Mike Schermer’s soulful and danceable set, Gino Matteo & Jade Bennett Band storm the stage like a force of nature. Gino Matteo’s explosive guitar playing toes the line of fiery unpredictability, and respectful homage of the greats that pioneered the path before him. A truly exciting player, Gino has a spontaneity that keeps everyone guessing and entertained.

Countering Gino Matteo’s skillful performance is an absolute powerhouse singer in Jade Bennett; This young lady will blow you away. A larger than life voice, Jade Bennett could sing the label of a mayonnaise bottle and make it powerful and compelling. These two musical maestros (who also happen to be husband and wife) are the definition of a power couple. There is way too much talent between these two pros.

“The blues is a long standing genre of music; It’s not going anywhere” -Gino Matteo

The sun begins to set on Rosarito Beach to dazzling bursts of red and orange as our long awaited headliner, Tommy Castro & the Painkillers take the stage.

Lean and mean, this stripped down 4-piece are a seasoned blues band at its finest. Tight as can be, there is some serious power emanating from the stage as these blues masters prove why they’re headlining; Top shelf musicianship that captures the audience (everyone in the vicinity was up on their feet at this point) and a remarkable, seemingly clairvoyant ability to read each other as a cohesive unit. Listening to Tommy Castro, you get the sense this man has heard every blues record on the planet. His musical vocabulary is miles wide, with too many influences to sound like any one person. his giant guitar tone and distinct vibrato alone set him apart from the pack, and that’s only half of it- Tommy’s vocal prowess is a display of strength, vulnerability and honesty that epitomizes the blues. No genre of music sounds like the blues, and no musician sounds like Tommy Castro. We are fortunate enough to have both here at the Baja Blues Fest 2019.

Tommy Castro and the Pain Killers

“It (the blues) is really about the stories and the songs…people go through difficulty, and singing songs about it help make you feel better. You don’t go to a therapist and say “everything is effin’ awesome!” so it’s really uplifting, healing, positive music” -Tommy Castro

Final thoughts

Music changes lives.

Events like these boldly underline the indelible mark music can have on a community, and helps us realize just how important and sacred an art form it really is. This event alone has helped thousands of children live better lives, and the continuing success will ensure the bettering of thousands more. Great music, great people, and a great cause.

This is too important to not be a part of.

See you in 2020!