Labor Day Blues at Humphrey’s Backstage

David “Kid” Ramos & Johnny Main.

What better way to close out another fabulous San Diego summer than to light a Labor Day blues fuse at Humphrey’s Backstage. The Shelter Island venue is a primo party and listening environment that sits right on the Bay, and they’re hosting five different blues bands on Sunday, September 1, kicking off the show at 5pm. Two of the best guitarists in Southern California are headlining this celebration: David “Kid” Ramos and Johnny Main. You know the Kid from his years with the James Harman Band, Roomful of Blues, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and the Mannish Boys. His five solo and multiple collaborative recordings highlight his legendary guitar work and covers the blues spectrum. Johnny Main has graced the stage with Coco Montoya and Los Lobos and most know him as the founding member of his own high-caliber blues band, the 44s. Both artists are the crème de la crème of West Coast blues but together with harmonica-playing vocalist, Brian Templeton and the rock solid rhythm section of bassist, Mike Turturro and drummer, Brian Fahey this band can and will elevate your love of the blues to next-level status.

Len Rainey. Photo by Dan Chusid.

Len Rainey is a must for any blues festival and has been a mainstay of the San Diego music community for almost four decades. His longevity is directly related to his versatile and gifted band that plays blues that are laced with soulful R&B and notable touches of jazz-infused funkiness. It comes as no surprise when Len Rainey and the Midnight Players take the stage, party fans have to literally, push their way onto the dance floor.

Zavala Sol is a hot rockin,’ rhythm and blues band fronted by vocalist Carrie Zavala. The band has gained national attention for its take no prisoners approach to the genre. Zavala Sol represented San Diego earlier this year at the 2024 International Blues Challenge in Memphis and immediately came home to a Best Blues Artist nomination at the San Diego Music Awards. That’s a pretty impressive resume for a blues band that’s only been together for a few years. If you like your blues plugged-in and powered-up, Zavala Sol will check all your boxes.

Shane Hall is another force of nature in Southern California’s blues community. A former Marine Corps veteran, Hall is a two-time San Diego Music Award winning singer-songwriter, picking up his second SDMA earlier this year for the album Howl & Sway. His musical style is based in blues, soul, and Americana and the SDMA says his songs are “honest and real” and “built from the soul.” Check out the track “Ambush” because, as the man says, “it’ll be the one you never see!”

Shane Hall plays “Ambush.”

The juke$ are a five-piece band comprised of long-time musician friends Marcus Bashore, Ace Torres, Steve Garcia, Scot Smart, and Justice Guevara. All multi-instrumentalists, the juke$ are known for consistently mixing contemporary with the traditional and just a shot or two of West Coast blues when paying homage to the roots originators. The juke$ are the perfect band to light the candle on this farewell summer event.

Come ready to party and remember that most of these blues artists always have a boatload of special guests appearing with them, but we have neither the time nor the space to mention them all here. Tickets are just $30 at the door, and you are advised to get there early for the best seats. It’s a full slate of blues at Humphrey’s Backstage on Sunday, September 1 at 5pm, so come raise a glass to the summer of 2024 the way it was meant to be…right on the San Diego Bay.