Blues-rock-swinger and singer Michael John and his band The Bottom Line take the stage at Friday night’s Valencia Jazz & Blues Concert Series show, starting at 7 on the street outside the Hyatt Regency off McBean Parkway in Valencia.

By Stephen K. Peeples

John and the band’s extensive track record includes placing among the top 10 bands in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. John has also won “Best Male Vocalist” accolades from All Access magazine.

The band features Michael John (lead singer, guitar, harmonica), his son Mikey Mo (lead guitar), Steve Nelson (electric, stand-up bass), Eddie Z (tenor, alto sax), Jeff Dellisanti (tenor, baritone sax) and Tom “T-Bone” Broderick (drums, backup vocals).

As always, Friday night’s concert is free for all ages. Visit the Valencia Jazz & Blues website for more deets about upcoming shows.

Vaud & Villains Rock Concerts in the Park

Santa Clarita’s summer 2016 “Concerts in the Park” series launches Saturday night with Vaud & The Villains, an off-the-hook 19-piece New Orleans orchestra and cabaret outfit that’s as much a visual spectacle as a musical spectacular.

These guys and girls rocked the Senses street party on Main Street in Old Town Newhall and locals asked for more, so now they’re on the big stage at Central Park.

The lineup features Vaud Overstreet (tenor sax and bandleader); Peaches Mahoney (dancin’ and vocals); Lucky LaFontaine (vocals); Roxy Rae Boudreaux (vocals); Coco Gitane (vocals); Big Daddy (fiddle & vocals); Kid Overstreet (trombone); Shakes Overstreet (trumpet), Two Boots Overstreet (tuba); Finn Overstreet (baritone sax); Blind Dog (keys, harp and banjo); Onestring King (one string and guitar); Preacher (rhythm guitar, vocals); Babyface Mahoney (tenor banjo); Low Down Kate (double bass, banjo, guitar); Blackburn James (drums); Charlotte Charmaine (leggy dame); Babette Bonet (leggy dame); Boom Boom Betty Delux (leggy dame); and Hollywood (guitar/banjo).

The orchestra’s spotlighting tunes from their latest album, “Original Salvation.” With four Overstreets and three leggy dames, anything can happen.

Santa Clarita A&E chief Mike Fleming books the shows; check out his video preview of this and all the upcoming summer 2016 Concerts in the Park.

Rod Bennett Memorial Jam Sunday

The Santa Clarita musical community lost a shining light when vibes master Rod Bennett was killed while riding his bicycle May 25, and his fellow musicians will have a chance to play tribute to the man and his music on Sunday.

Santa Clarita guitarist and jazz bandleader Jim Hagen, a longtime Bennett friend, musical collaborator and bandmate, has organized a memorial jam at Valencia Wine Co. on Town Center Drive in Valencia, Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Hagen invites former Bennett bandmates to jam and Santa Clarita music fans to join in the celebration of Bennett’s good vibes.

“There will be guitar, bass, and keyboard amps available as well as a drum set and percussion,” Hagen said. “All you would have to do is bring your instrument (and a friend if you want), sit in with the band, and have some fun.”

Check out Hagen’s tribute to Bennett from early June.

Papafish on SCVTV’s ‘House Blend’

SCVTV’s “House Blend” music and interview show hosted by yours truly presents Papafish, the local rock ’n’ reggae upsetters who’ve blown fans away at Yes I Can’s Summer Meltdown Festival a couple of times, Saturday night at 10.

It’s a special encore broadcast from the third season in 2013, featuring Nancy Rae (vocals), Greg Menjivar (guitar), Jason Fragoso (drums), Tony Sangiacomo (sax-keyboards) and Dante Chocano (bass).

See “House Blend” broadcast on Time-Warner/Spectrum’s Channel 20 in the Santa Clarita Valley, AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 in L.A. and Orange counties, and streaming everywhere at scvtv.com.

And that’s what’s bumpin’ this week on the SCV Rock Beat.

Coda: 40 Years Ago Today – Waylon Review

By the way, on July 7, 1976, my feature review of country outlaw Waylon Jennings’ latest album, “Are You Ready for the Country,” appeared in the Texas music journal “Picking Up the Tempo.” You might enjoy the flashback.

You’ll find lots more local entertainment news 24/7 at HometownStation.com, SCVNews.com and my blog, stephenkpeeples.com.

Grammy-nominated producer and Santa Clarita journalist Stephen K. Peeples is an entertainment reporter for SCVTV and SCVNews.com, as well as AM 1220 KHTS Radio News and the station’s website at HometownStation.com. Peeples also hosted and co-produced SCVTV’s WAVE-nominated “House Blend” program from 2011-2015. He posts more entertainment news and reviews at http://www.stephenkpeeples.com and exclusive interviews on his YouTube channel.