The Cedar Presents

THE CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS with Javier Matos

Sunday November 10th, 2019 / Doors: 7:00 PM / Show: 7:30 PM

All Ages

Standing

$22 Advance / $25 Day of Show

This is a standing show with an open floor. The Cedar always reserves a section of seats for patrons who require special seating accommodations. To request seating or other access accommodations, please go to our Access page.

General Admission tickets are available online, by phone, ​Electric Fetus, and The Cedar during shows. 

“Drawing on diverse musical influences from Bay Area R&B, funk, Southern soul, Delta blues, and New Orleans second-line, the Honeydrops bring vibrant energy and infectious dance-party vibes to their shows.”

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS

The California Honeydrops celebrate their 11th year together with the release of their latest live album, Honeydrops Live 2019 and an international tour to Australia, New Zealand and Europe. This follows the release of their 7th studio album and first ever double album, Call It Home: Vol. 1 & 2 in 2018. Led by dynamic vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Lech Wierzynski, and drawing on diverse musical influences from Bay Area R&B, funk, Southern soul, Delta blues, and New Orleans second-line, the Honeydrops bring vibrant energy and infectious dance-party vibes to their shows. They’ve taken the party all over the world, playing festivals of all kinds and touring widely across North America, Europe and Australia. In 2016 & 2017 the Honeydrops were honored to support Bonnie Raitt on her North America release tour -- and in the past have been privileged to support the likes of B.B. King, Allen Toussaint, Buddy Guy, and Dr. John. Whether in those high-profile performances or in more intimate venues where the band itself can leave the stage and get down on the dance floor, the California Honeydrops’ shared vision and purpose remain: to make the audience dance and sing.

The Honeydrops have come a long way since guitarist and trumpeter Lech Wierzynkski and drummer Ben Malament started busking in an Oakland subway station, but the band has stayed true to that organic, street-level feel. Listening to Lech sing, it can be a surprise that he was born in Warsaw, Poland, and raised by Polish political refugees. He learned his vocal stylings from contraband American recordings of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and Louis Armstrong, and later at Oberlin College and on the club circuit in Oakland, California. With the additions of Johnny Bones on tenor sax and clarinet, Lorenzo Loera on keyboards, and Beau Bradbury on bass, they’ve built a powerful full-band sound to support Wierzynski’s vocals. More like parties than traditional concerts, their shows feature extensive off-stage jamming and crowd interaction. “The whole point is to erase the boundaries between the crowd and us,” Wierzynski says.

Visit The California Honeydrops’ Website

The California Honeydrops performing “In the Air,” courtesy of The Pinecone Series’ YouTube channel.

ABOUT JAVIER MATOS

Javier and the blues became buddies in 1978 when he discovered his father's record collection. He has been playing blues professionally since 1992.

In 1999 he signed to Storyville Records and released Comin Home internationally under the surname Jake Matson. Later that year, Javier met Bill Bateman (Blasters, Red Devils, Cramps) and moved to Los Angeles.

While living in Los Angeles Javier and Bill teamed up with John Bazz, also of The Blasters, and reformed The Blue Shadows who reopened the famous King King in Hollywood, California. They were voted best blues band by the L.A City Rock news and featured on the cover of Billboard Magazine as major contributors to blues music in the Los Angeles area.

After meeting Chopper Franklin (Cramps, Heathen Apostles) they formed the Doghouse Lords which was featured in the film, Cry Now and placed several songs on television shows like Friday Night Lights and Breaking Bad.

Javier & the Innocent Sons are a powerful early Chicago Blues Band from Minneapolis. Javier & the Wayback are a prewar trio that perform primarily acoustically in the early country blues tradition.

Visit Javier Matos’ Website

Javier Matos performing "Born To Ramble," courtesy of the white wall sessions’ YouTube channel.