Santa Cruz music lovers get ready for a hot happy hour when The Guitarsonists bring their 3 alarm blaze to The Crepe Place – Garden Stage Thurs. Oct. 8, 2026 from 5:30-7:30PM. It will be pure fire as blues legend Mighty Mike Schermer and slide guitar master Jules Leyhe take on the Texas heat of Jonn del Toro Richardson in a blazing guitar showdown!
Award winning bluesman Tommy Castro once called Mighty Mike Schermer “the best guitarist, singer and songwriter you may have never heard of”. While it may be true that Schermer has spent almost 40 years flying under the radar of the general public, music industry insiders have long recognized his “funky and authentic” guitar playing (Bonnie Raitt), “wonderful” songwriting (Bruce Springsteen) and “unconventional singing that brims with honesty” (Downbeat). He has toured and recorded with such legends as Bonnie Raitt, Elvin Bishop, Marcia Ball, Charlie Musselwhite and scores of others. His songs have been covered by Grammy nominees and Blues Music Awards winners. He has recorded 10 critically acclaimed solo albums, with over 30 album credits in all, and has performed at over 8000 shows in 25 countries and all 50 US States. With his emotional style and passionate delivery “Mighty” Mike lives up to his name. A true industry legend.
Jules Leyhe has quickly established himself as one of the world’s foremost slide guitarists. Premier Guitar has gone so far as to say “Leyhe plays the best blues slide licks since Derek Trucks, maybe even Duane Allman.” Some heavy comparisons to be sure, but right on the money! Jules combines traditional blues and roots with elements of funk, jazz and EDM to create a sound that is both familiar and forward-looking. Among the many wonderful things he brings to The Guitarsonists sound, Jules is a master at using his guitar as a voice...making it cry, moan, whisper and scream all at the same time. He has swapped licks with Buddy Guy, Little Feat and Jimmie Vaughan to name just a few. A mesmerizing talent
Jonn del Toro Richardson was born and raised in Houston TX, and his style reflects everything that is good about that rich south Texas musical soil...Blues, Tex-Mex, Country, Rock&Roll, R&B and more. An accomplished songwriter, blessed with a sweet and smokey singing voice, his songs create the ultimate canvas to showcase his fiery, passionate blues guitar playing. He has spent the last 20 plus years honing his performance skills by touring the world over, and has won such prestigious awards as the Albert King “Most Promising Guitarist” (International Blues Challenge), “Rising Star” (also IBC) as well as “Emerging Artist Album of the Year” (Blues Music Awards) for his 2015 release Tengo Blues. “JDT” brings a big ‘ol slab of Southern smoke to every stage he steps on, and The Guitarsonists are absolutely thrilled to have him in the band!
Come see The Guitarsonists catch fire live and in person. This show is sure to burn the house down!