Jimmy Vivino (guitars), Barry Goldberg (keyboards), Gary Mallaber (drums), Rick Reed (bass)

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*Conan Came to LA and Jimmy Vivino Came to Cozy's Blues Bar*

Ever since Jimmy has come to LA, he's been playing live blues with his brilliant band, The East-West Connection, Wednesday nights at Cozy's Bar & Grill in Sherman Oaks. Playing with Jimmy are organist/keyboardist Barry Goldberg (Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Paul Butterfield, Electric Flag, Hendrix); drummer Gary Mallaber (Steve Miller, Springsteen, Jackson Browne); and bassist Rick Reed (Butterfield live, Chicago Blues Reunion, Jimmy Vaughan). These legends are such amazing musicians and so tuned into each other, they don't even have to rehearse. They draw a packed crowd of blues lovers of all ages. Many are musicians in their own right. Everyone is eager and energized to see their idols perform and just want to be part of their history. The atmosphere is exhilarating and the club, as cozy as its name, allows you to be up close and personal with the band.

Jimmy says Cozy's is "like the real Chicago blues bars I've played in. They let us play blues and play what we want." There is no song list so the band has the freedom to choose. The exuberance and excitement the band brings to Cozy's is phenomenal.

Organist/Keyboardist Goldberg loves the spontaneity and the great response between the band and the audience. It's like "getting back to the roots, the real meaning of playing music."

Barry Goldberg, guest Johnny Rivers and Jimmy; Jimmy and Barry

Drummer Mallaber, loves the "diversity of tune selection," and experimenting with songs. "We don't have to have formal rehearsals and can turn into a band."

Bassist Reed says Cozy's is the "only real blues club left." Reed played with Vivino in the 1990's and loves "playing with the cats," and "hanging with all my peeps." Their goal is "to have a regular crowd so we can hang out like in the old days. We want everyone to come in and dig it."

You never know who's going to show up and sit in with the band. Past guests include the Tonight Show horn section (brother Jerry Vivino, Richie "La Bamba" Rosenberg and Mark Pender); the great Johnny Rivers ("Seventh Son", "Secret Agent Man", "Poor Side of Town"); Tony Valentino (The Standells); keyboardist Scott Healy (Tonight Show); drummer Corky Lang (Mountain); and vocalist Marcy Levy (Eric Clapton). Marcy's incredible vocal range and powerful singing recently brought down the house with "Lay Down Sally," which she co-wrote with Clapton and George Terry. She is gifted beyond words and loves Cozy's because it's a "neighborhood bar and as a woman, I don't have to worry about going there myself."

Claption vocalist Marcy Levy with Jimmy and Rick Reed; Barry (behind Johnny), Johnny Rivers, Jimmy and Rick Reed

The great Johnny Rivers said, "Jimmy Vivino is one of the greatest guitarist and singers around." He said that he loves the good sound and feel at Cozy's and that "it's close to where I live." We think he meant that emotionally as well as geographically.

Regular attendee, Gary Sheasgreen of Uncle Studios, loves the friendly crowd and thinks Cozy's is a great hangout. "The chemistry and communication between the guys in the band is incredible. They definitely have something going. It just clicks." Rick Puente, guitarist, says, "We're lucky Vivino's playing in our community. He brings a new fire and inspiration to people who enjoy playing and listening to music." Tommy Vicini, bassist for The Drinks, calls Vivino a "purist in every style. You name it, he can play it. He's a monster. Mallaber's one of those legendary drummers, alongside Moon, Baker, and Bonham, who has a distinct style."

Cozy's manager, Morris Palmore, says Vivino's guitar playing is so "strong and soulful, with such a smooth vibe, you feel like you're in Mississippi or Memphis." He's in awe of how well Reed compliments Vivino.

So while New Yorkers miss Jimmy and the now defunct clubs he played in, including Manny's Car Wash, Chicago Blues and the Cutting Room, among others, we're thrilled that he's found a new venue and some powerhouse players in L.A.

Debra Graff is a Los Angeles based music critic, writer, musician, piano/keyboard teacher, promoter, and lawyer.

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She covers the Los Angeles entertainment scene for a variety of publications and we welcome her as a contributor to this site.
She can be reached at mnm2226@aol.com.