Elnora & Sumpthin' Cookin'

Elnora and Sumpthin' Cookin' was formed in November of 2002. About a month before, Elnora was singing and winning awards for Karaoke. She came by a local venue, Martini Blues to sing and eventually met Bob Hatcher, Chris O'Connell and Gary (The Wagman) Wagner. Yes, that Gary (check out www.wagmanblues.com), Bob and Chris were part of the house band and shortly thereafter, Gary started as the MC and Host. Chris O'Connell (Guitar) had just left Blues Barbeque. Bob was playing in Blues On Arrival and together Elnora, Chris and Bob formed "Elnora & Sumpthin' Cookin'.

Initially we had many different drummers (some were really different!).

A local character, "Wolfman" gave them the name Sumpthin' Cookin' and next thing you know we have Steve Solomon, "The Professor" playing Keys and Sax. Elnora had worked with him in the past and he was truly a great addition. After several drummers skipped their beats, we invited Mike Green to join the party. A swingin' style, a nice guy and we get Rose and Desiree! Steve's passing had us searching for another member to help out and we thank Mike Breitenstein for filling in on Harp. We were "harping" on him to play keys since he is a wonderful ivory player, too. Took a little while, but he's stepped up and we all dig it!

The band has enjoyed playing at most of the top venues in Southern California. With help from Gary and Billy Mitchell, we were booked to The Playboy Jazz Festival. Then it was B.B. King's, Cozy's, The Blue Cafe, Martini Blues, Newport Blues Festival, Rennaisance, Mahe, Buster's, The Little Red Rooster, to Stubrick's Steakhouse and many more. Together with the Southern California Blues Society, we are often participants (or instigators) for many of the benefit concerts: Hurricane Katrina, Tsunami Victims, Long Beach AIDS Society, Olive Crest Children's Home, and a few local Blues legends in their time of need. If we can help, count us in!

Most recently, the band has just released their first CD, "Servin' Up the Blues and Other Delicacies". The CD has 10 tracks of original songs that will get for foot tappin', your leg shakin' and your body movin'! Most songs were written by Chris O'Connell, but there was a fun collaboration by Chris, Elnora and her friend Eddie on "Hey Baby, No Baby". Check out the Sax solo on "What's Really Goin' On" and just try to get the song "Sick and Tired" out of your head! It doesn't really end with "Trouble", but you'll have to listen to the disc to see why! The recording was produced by Bob Hatcher, Chris O'Connell, and Elnora at Pacifica Studios with Engineering and Mixing by Glen Nishida and Mastering by John Golden.

Recently, we have started on the round of new songs and hope to be back in the studio before year end. Come on out and have a good time with us. If there was an American Blues Idol TV program, Elnora would surely win!