Blues guitarist and songwriter Johnny Moezzi performs at the Cinema Bar this week, playing songs from his recent Funky Papu album. He sat with the News to talk about what he has in store for Culver City…
When did you start playing and performing?
I started singing and playing in high school at around 16 years old. I snuck into a BB King performance at the Monterey Fairgrounds, life-changing. I met, became friends with and started sitting in with the family of Richie Valenz who’d moved from Pacoima to the Watsonville area near Monterey/Salinas. This was my first mentorship, learning at the foot of elder bluesmen. I began playing professionally while attending the American University in Washington DC. While there I became exposed to a wider variety of music, jazz, reggae, more classic rock than I’d appreciated before. Came to L.A. after that and began my blues-grad school as guitarist to Miss Mickey Champion until her retirement.
Describe your sound/style?
I am a blues guitarist first and foremost but in service of songwriting. I love Bob Dylan, Kirstofferson, and James Brown in equal measure. So, the words and singing them has over the years become the most important bit to me. We will go from a funky Johnny Guitar Watson sound to Jimmy Webb in a single set.
What are your career highlights so far?
The Notting Hill Carnival in England, West End Celebration in Monterey Ca., Gibson Showroom in Beverly Hills.
What recorded music is available — particularly the most recent?
My latest album Funky Papu is on Spotify/Apple all streaming services… and is a nod to the pop influences of my youth. Lots of synthesizers and Casio keyboard beats. I always wanted to make a record like that and finally did so. Cover art by my beautifully talented 9 year old daughter.
Have you performed at the Cinema Bar before?
I performed at Cinema Bar last month for the first time, with Mavis Staples’s rhythm section Steve Mugalian and Greg Boaz. It’s very strange that after 24 years living in L.A. and all my musician friends having played there, probably hundreds of times, that this was my first time. I love small, intimate venues like this as this is where the power of the music can really have an effect on the audience and performer alike.
What can the audience expect from the set this time?
We’ll be adding a few more original tunes into the set. From the Orange Album and Sergio Record, both on the streaming services.
What else do you have coming up?
I’ll be heading to Nashville to finish off some new material and likely put out a 45 on vinyl.
Johnny Moezzi performs at 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 24 at the Cinema Bar. Go to thecinemabar.com for more information about the show.
Elsewhere this week
The Culver Hotel will be hosting the likes of Sylvia & the Rhythm Boys, and Scotty Bramer. Go to culverhotel.com for more info.
Boulevard Music hosts 100BC Bruce Foreman and Pat Bergeson at 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 2. Visit boulevardmusic.com for more info.