On June 24^th, Lynwood Slim made his triumphant return to the concert stage. He played at the world famous Tiki Bar in Costa Mesa, California. Just eight months prior, this same venue was the site of a benefit concert for Slim called Slim Jam. He was too ill to attend.  The acclaimed singer, harmonica player and flautist was in the middle of a life and death struggle as he battled a series of health issues.

Over the past several weeks, Slim has made a few guest appearances where he would sit in with other artists and sing a song or two. The June 24^th concert was his first full concert date and he was the star attraction on a bandstand full of blues stars. Slim handpicked an all-star blues band that included his long time collaborator and friend Kid Ramos on guitar. Award winning bassist Bill Stuve and the man Slim describes as the world’s greatest blues drummer, Richard Inness anchored the rhythm section. San Diego based pianist Taryn Donath and the two piece horn section of tenor player Ron Dziubla and baritone man Troy Jennings helped give this band a terrific dynamic that insured the afternoon’s music would live up to the billing of World Class Blues in the O.C. 

A few minutes after 2:00 pm, John Reilly took the stage and welcomed the sellout crowd to the event. He pointed out that just a few months earlier he would drive back home from the hospital where he would visit his friend. He confided to the audience that every day he thought it would be the last time he would see his friend.

Slim acknowledged it was good to be back and then launched into the opening instrumental which was the Jimmy Smith classic, Back at the Chicken Shack. Three hours later, not sounding any worse for wear, Slim and his band were still tearing through one song after another from his more than three decades long catalogue of recordings.

The large crowd came from all over the state of California. They were treated to one of the most emotionally charged shows in recent memory. Enjoy a photo essay by the very talented Alex Gardner and Chris Corbett. It is great to have you back Slim!

Lynwood Slim

Kid Ramos, Lynwood Slim, Ron Dziubla, Troy Jennings & Bill Stuve

Kid Ramos

Bill Stuve

Troy Jennings

Ron Dziubla & Troy Jennings

Kid Ramos & Lynwood Slim

Richard Innes

Taryn Donath

Bill Stuve 

Kid Ramos & Lynwood Slim

 Lynwood Slim

Kid Ramos, Lynwood Slim, Ron Dziubla & Troy Jennings

Richard Innes & Bill Stuve

Kid Ramos

Lynwood Slim & Ron Dziubla

Ron Dziubla & Troy Jennings

Bill Stuve

Taryn Donath

Kid Ramos, Richard Innes, Lynwood Slim, Ron Dziubla & Troy Jennings

Lynwood Slim 

Lynwood Slim, Ron Dziubla & Troy Jennings

Richard Innes

Kid Ramos

Ron Dziubla

Bill Stuve

Bill Stuve & Taryn Donath

Kid Ramos & Lynwood Slim

Lynwood Slim, Ron Dziubla & Troy Jennings

Taryn Donath

Ron Dziubla, Troy Jennings, Bill Stuve & Taryn Donath

Kid Ramos, Lynwood Slim, Ron Dziubla, Troy Jennings, Bill Stuve & Taryn Donath

Lynwood Slim & Friends

(Troy Jennings, Taryn Donath, Ron Dziubla, Bill Stuve, Lynwood, Richard Innes & Kid Ramos)