The linoleum “wood”-paneled walls and frame-less, threadbare Frank Zappa posters say it all: If you’re not here for the music you’ve come to the wrong place.
Los Angeles may be infamous for being the city where former Dairy Queen employees from Iowa make their hajj to try and become the next big thing; but for every one of these painfully optimistic, wayward souls there are at least two exceptionally talented musicians who have come to work in the city’s prodigious music industry. From studio musicians needed for movie scores and backing work on albums, to nascent legends and established icons who come to record, the amount of musical talent here at any given time is simply astronomical. Good news for you is that when they’re not at work they have a playground: The Baked Potato.
Located just down Ventura Boulevard from Frank Zappa’s old recording studio, the music varies from night to night, but is deeply rooted in “Zappa-esk” jazz and rock fusion. It’s always a jam, it’s always smokin’ and aside from whose playing there is always a common thread underlying it all. My friends and I joke that its simply “Baked Potato Music”
And yes: in addition to a full bar and world-class live music they actually serve a variety of baked potatoes. However, given how expensive they are I’ve often wondered if it’s just a sneaky way of making the place an all ages venue.
Mind you that the only downside of the Baked Potato is that it can be quite pricey. Acts change every night(see website for calendar), but every Monday is Monday Night Jamz: its a $10 cover and two drink minimum featuring the same group of stellar musicians every week(see clip above). They usually play until 11 or so when it becomes an open mic. Granted there have been a few duds in the past, but more far more often than not the talent that casually walks up on the stage bears testament to just how much this city’s cup is brimming over with world-class talent.
And for the star-struck out there, know that The Baked Potato has a rather interesting line-up of regular patrons. Is that Andy Garcia?!
NOTE: More music from the Baked Potato can be found by simply typing in "Baked Potato Jam" into youtube
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