Mitch Kashmar - Live At Labatt (2008)

Mitch Kashmar has come a long way since his youth in what is now often perceived as the quaint beachside community of Santa Barbara, CA. As a teenager, Kashmar would sneak into the local bars and taverns using his older brother’s I.D., eager to hone his chops with the local talent, and also witnessed first-hand many of the blues giants as they came to town courtesy of the country’s first and oldest blues society, the Santa Barbara Blues Society.

Kashmar began establishing his reputation in the early 1980’s as leader of The Pontiax, performing in the clubs and venues of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties before making his move to the city of Los Angeles in ‘83. Upon the release of their debut album “100 Miles To Go” on LP in ’89, The Pontiax began touring throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 1990, the album was picked up and issued on CD by Blue Sting Records out of Belgium, thereby opening the doors of opportunity for the band to tour Europe. Over the years The Pontiax became a highly sought after backing outfit, allowing Kashmar the honor to share the stage with such legendary blues figures as Lowell Fulson, Albert Collins, Roy Gaines, Johnny Adams, Luther Tucker, John Lee Hooker, Larry “Texas Flood” Davis, Jimmy Witherspoon, Pee Wee Crayton, Big Joe Turner and Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson.

Kashmar released his solo debut album “Crazy Mixed-Up World” in ‘99, but it wasn’t until his 2005 effort “Nickels & Dimes” for Delta Groove Music that his stock really began to rise. Kashmar was recognized two consecutive years in a row beginning in ‘06 with a Blues Music Award nomination for Best New Artist Debut and then Instrumentalist – Harmonica the following year. He also signed on for active duty with the latest touring incarnation of the classic 70’s funk-rock band War, and even made rock ‘n’ roll history appearing onstage alongside legendary British rocker Eric Burdon & War for a reunion concert held on April 21, 2008 at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

On Friday, August 24, 2007, Mitch Kashmar was invited to perform at the 9th Annual Edmonton’s Labatt Blues Festival in Western Canada, and fortunately for blues fans everywhere, the event was captured for posterity in front of an enthusiastic crowd by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Joining Kashmar on his performances for this release are Pontiax drummer Tom Lackner, bassist Steve Nelson, pianist Jimmy Calire, and former William Clarke guitarist, John Marx, providing the perfect foil to Kashmar’s dynamic harp playing and emotive vocals. The live concert format allows Kashmar to really stretch out instrumentally and strut his stuff as he runs down a program featuring fan favorites off his two critically acclaimed Delta Groove Music releases and additional material including “Lollipop Mama,” a tribute to his old friend the late great William Clarke. “It’s the best stuff I’ve ever done!” says Kashmar, and we think you’ll whole-heartedly agree!