Cleveland's Blue Lunch To Play Its Annual Latke Party on Christmas Day at the Beachland

Blue Lunch. Credit: Courtesy of Blue Lunch

A staple on the local scene, the swing/jazz/blues act Blue Lunch began in 1984 as a five-piece band and has evolved into a larger ensemble with multiple singers and a three-piece horn section. It now plays soul, blues, R&B, swing and jazz. it’s perhaps the longest running blues-based band in the region.

“I didn’t even think about how long the band would last when it started,” says frontman Peter London via phone. “It’s crazy. It was November of 1984 when we played our first gig. I have a clipping about that gig. Blue Lunch was — and is — my first band. Most people were in high school bands, but for me, it’s just evolved and grown and stayed enjoyable and fun. We all enjoy ourselves, and that shows when we play live. Everything evolved even though there was no real plan.”

Last month, the band marked its 40th anniversary with two special shows. Both shows were sold out. The first one took place at the Barn, AKA Barnegie Hall, in Avon and the second one took place at the Bop Stop.

This month, Blue Lunch will play its 15th annual latke party at the Beachland on Christmas night. This year’s show will be a “harmonica tour de force” with guest harmonica players/singers Hank Mowery and Tom Moore joining London on the harp.

Based in Grand Rapids, MI, Mowery, who’ll make his debut with the group, has fronted his own band, the Hawktones for more than 30 years, and his Account to Me album won the International Blues Challenge award for Best Self-Produced CD in 2014. He’s shared the stage with renowned blues artists such as Anson Funderburgh, Little Charlie Baty, William Clarke and Pinetop Perkins.

“Hank [Mowery] is not real well-known to most people because he hasn’t toured much and stays close to home,” says London. “Hank has not played with us yet. He was supposed to come one time, but the weather was bad. I have heard him live. He played at the old [now shuttered music club] Wilbert’s. I put together a band that opened for him. He’s a great singer and a great songwriter. He has two CDs that are excellent and hold up to better-known acts such as the Fabulous Thunderbirds. He also brings quality.”

South Bend, IN-based Moore has guested with Blue Lunch on numerous occasions in the past and even joined the band for its latke party. He’s the frontman for the blues act Little Frank and the Premiers.

“We’ve worked with Tom a number of times,” says London. “He was most recently at the Barnegie Hall show. He’s also just a great entertainer. My wife describes him as ‘larger than life.’ He and Billy Seward, our guitarist, go way back. We connected to Billy through Tom, and Tom’s band, Little Frank and the Premiers, is a great roots band.”

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with London spinning blues, soul and R&B on vinyl. Blue Lunch takes the stage beginning at 7:30p.m., with Mowery and Moore joining in throughout the evening. As usual, the usual array of food and beverages along with homemade latkes will be available for sale. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Four-packs go for $50.

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