1958 was a hell of a year for traditional music in Los Angeles. It was when McCabe’s first began selling musical instruments on Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica and also the year that a man by the name of Ed Pearl opened the doors to The Ash Grove across town at 8162 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles and committed to creating what was soon to become a most unique and special live music venue. The Ash Grove, named after the Welsh folk song by the same name, became a legendary folk and blues club and showcased a variety of regional and ethnic music, from gospel to jazz, Jewish to Latino, and presented it all with respect, educating people about American culture. From its inception until 1973, it served as the center of Los Angeles’ highly influential folk music scene and many legendary folk or “roots” artists, who were just up and coming at the time, such as Ry Cooder, Jackson Browne, and Linda Ronstadt frequented its stage. These were very significant times.
The Ash Grove Alumni has been anchored by celebrated singer and songwriter the late Joe Chambers of the legendary Chambers Brothers (“Time Has Come Today”), a group that plugged gospel & blues into the hot electric socket of West Coast psychedelia. Singer/songwriter and critically-acclaimed recording artist & producer Wendy Waldman (“Save the Best for Last,” “Fishing in The Dark,” member of Bryndle) together with Joe’s talented nephew Jerry Warner Chambers and music director Steve Moos bring the spirit, fervor, and flavor of that long-gone night spot back to the stage for an evening that pays tribute to that unique and very important folk & blues venue in music history and celebrates the man and his vision.
Wendy Waldman is a critically-acclaimed recording artist and the writer of much loved and multi-platinum selling songs. Her music brilliantly interlaces elements of country, pop, jazz, and R&B. Underneath it all is the folk music she loved and listened to at the Ash Grove.
Jerry Warner Chambers is a singer and songwriter and nephew of The Chambers Brothers, a group that plugged gospel and blues into the hot electric socket of West Coast psychedelia.
Steve Moos is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist for the Ash Grove Alumni. He has collaborated with many LA based musicians & songwriters and fronts his band The Painkillers.
The Ash Grove Alumni band features some of L.A.’s finest musicians. This show will feature:
Jerry Warner Chambers – vocals
Wendy Waldman – vocals, guitar
Steve Moos – keys, guitar, mandolin
Taras Produniak – bass
Donny Kirkpatrick – guitar
Scott Babcock – drums
David Horn – percussion
Abraham Parker – guitar, accordion
In October of 2020 the Ash Grove Alumni performed at Royce Hall, where they were an acclaimed feature of UCLA’s Tune in Festival. The Ash Grove Alumni fire up old embers while extending the tradition into the future, proving that time has still come today.
