Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage
Guitarist-harmonica player Andy Santana is the guest star at the 2021 debut of Buddy Emmer’s Tuesday Night Blues at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe.
For those who have been living under a rock, or perhaps just staying at home during a pandemic, here’s the lowdown, dirty blues details: The Buddy Emmer Blues Band opens the free Center Stage show at 8 p.m. Kim Emmer is the featured singer who wears stylish shoes. The guest and his original music play during the second set. Finally, there is an improvised jam session that goes until around 11:30 p.m.
“I’ll describe the tempo and the beat to the drummer,” Santana said. “There’s about five different shuffles and different ways to approach it. The swing, the cha-cha, the flat-tire feel, and the real slow Jimmy Reed feel. I want to throw in as much mishmash as I can.”
Santana is a true artist. The Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame member is a playwright, photographer and he has a new endeavor that he took up during the lockdown: “Poetry reminiscent to Hafez.”
Hafez was a 14th century Persian Sufi, an Islamic mystic. While people go to the writings of Hafez to find their way in life, Santana went to the “Night Tripper” to learn the meaning of music.
“What’s the most important thing you can do as a musician?” Santana asked.
Dr. John answered: “Make ‘em dance. If people are moving their asses, you did your job. And they will remember you more for that than just about anything.”
Santana also received guitar advice from the great Junior Watson.
“He said, ‘Learn your B.B. King, if that’s what you want to do, but what will really define you is if you learn another (lesser-known) guy’s technique. You’ll sound more original because no one’s really hep to those guys and you will shine more.”
Santana studied guitarists such as Tiny Grimes, Smiley Lewis, Pete “Guitar” Lewis and Jimmy Nolen.
Santana lost two loved ones in recent months, but his 92-year-old father survived Covid-19.
“He said, ‘I lived through two wars and three wives. This thing isn’t killing me.’ ”
Santana shows his appreciation for life and nature through his social media.
“All you are going to see is fuzzy, furry things, flowers, sunsets, waterfalls. That’s all I give you,” he said.
Santana is sure to offer a fun performance on Tuesday.
“Buddy is a great guy,” Santana said. “He’s full of love and goodness.”
- Harrah’s Tuesday Night Blues
Buddy Emmer Blues Band
8-11:30 p.m. Tuesdays
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Center Stage
Featured artists” - June 29: Andy Santana
- July 6: Kyle Rowland
- July 13: Jeff Watson
- July 20: Mighty Mike Schermer
- July 27: Chuck Dunn
