Texas guitarist/singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Carolyn Wonderland, 52, has accumulated quite an impressive resume of recording projects, collaborations, touring and career rewards since she first started performing at 15-years-old. None more impressive to me than being the only woman to be lead guitarist for John Mayall’s band the Bluesbreakers during its impressive 65-year run. She was last in a long line of illustrious guitarists to include Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Coco Montoya and Walter Trout. She toured the world with the hard-working British-born legend, once playing 50 shows in 60 days in 19 countries, and only left the band, when at age 85, Mayall decided to retire from the road. He has since passed on.

With 11 albums to her name, Wonderland comes to Seaside on July 27 for its Sunday Blues in the Park summer series with her latest recording, “Truth Is,” released in 2025 on Alligator Records. This fine album was produced by legendary guitarist and songwriter Dave Alvin (producer of Wonderland’s Alligator debut, “Tempting Fate”), who also co-wrote four songs, three of which he plays on.

“I’ve never had my ass handed to me so thoughtfully in the studio,” Wonderland said about working with Alvin. “I came in with songs and Dave took the arrangements I wasn’t married to and put on his ‘Mad Rearranger’ hat to get to the heart of the songs, always looking for and finding something that tells the story better. Dave is amazing. He has an incredible literary mind and is one of the best guitar bashers I’ve ever met.”

Wonderland is known for her powerful and soulful vocals, blistering guitar playing on both lap steel and a variety of Gibson and Fender electric guitars, and her songwriting, which on this 12-song album she contributes 10, including the co-writes with Alvin. In addition to her road band, bassist Naj Conklin and drummer/percussionist Giovanni “Nooch” Carnuccio, Wonderland and Alvin recruited a large cast of contributors to include guitarist Bukka Allen, vocalist/guitarist Shelley Kind, pedal steel master Cindy Cashdollar, pianist/vocalist Marcia Ball and vocalist Ruthie Foster.During the course of her 20-year career she’s played with icons Townes Van Zandt, Levon Helm, Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin and Bob Dylan, in addition to Mayall. For her efforts, she won the Austin Music Award for both Best Blues Artist and Best Guitarist and was inducted into the Austin Music Hall Of Fame. She’s been nominated for three Blues Music Awards. The popular and critical response to Wonderland and her music has led to appearances on Austin City Limits, NPR’s Weekend Edition and NPR Music’s Mountain Stage.

“Wonderland is a Texas legend…a rising global star,” Premier Guitar proclaimed. “She has a ferocious fingerpicking style and a passion for bringing fire to the blues.”

Don’t miss this wonderful performer and respected Texas blues artist at the City of Seaside’s 38th Annual Sunday Blues in the Park, held at Laguna Grande Park across the street from City Hall on Canyon Del Rey Boulevard. The July 27 double-bill with the DeCarlo/James Band opening takes place 1-4:30 p.m., free. Lawn seating, bring your own chairs. The opening show last week had a great crowd with the sun shining. You never know what the weather will be like, so always check your weather app and layer your clothing. This coming Sunday, Black Cat Zydeco featuring Dwight Carrier appears with Stu Heydon opening.

Also, on July 27, next door to the Blues in the Park at Embassy Suites Hotel, Suite Jazz @ Embassy has its monthly jam session, featuring saxophonist Paul Contos with bassist Dennis Murphy, drummer Jim Vanderzwaan and vocalist Ayana Bradley. Co-hosts Lee Durley and Vanderzwaan invite everyone down with no cover to enjoy Central Coast professional jazz artists sitting in with the core band who opens the show at 1 p.m. Music continues until 4 p.m. Snacks and libations are available and there are prize giveaways and convenient parking.

James Lee Stanley just doesn’t give up. And that’s to our advantage as he goes out on his (tongue-in-cheek) 3rd Annual Farewell Tour to arrive at Wave Street Studios in Monterey, July 25, 7:30 p.m. People say he’s the most talented renaissance man that way too few people know. Or let’s say that he should have more recognition than he does for all the things he does. But what he does that most people know him for is being a folk singer/songwriter. He’ll be performing music from his vast catalogue of songs, perhaps concentrating on the music from “The Day Today,” his most recent recording that came out in 2024 on his own Beachwood Music label.

Press material reels off the facts like, he was born in Philadelphia, that he is not only a singer/songwriter but that he’s a multi-instrumentalist, a composer, and producer whose six-decade career spans numerous artistic mediums. He enjoys painting, building and studying Spanish, among a myriad of other fleeting interests. To date, he’s released 37 albums and he’s worked and shared the stage with many icons of the early folk music revival in New York City and elsewhere. According to one source it was Mama Cass Elliot who secured his first Los Angeles recording session in 1970. They remained close friends until her death.

I have memories of seeing Stanley together with Monkees legend Peter Tork back in 2004 at Sly McFly’s on Cannery Row. The two of them had a recording and performing history that stretches back to the mid-90s when the “Two Man Band” album was released. He had first become friends with Tork when they met at a Virginia club in 1963. Although I can’t say what years exactly it was that he spent in the Monterey area, his history here included studying at the Defense Language Institute and living in the Carmel Highlands. During his time as a resident he performed at the iconic Flora’s on Cannery Row. A few of the music legends he’s joined with on local stages include David Crosby, Steven Wright and Leo Kotke.

It really is dizzying to try and organize all the details that make up who Stanley is, but one thing is for sure, when you see him perform live you not only get cleverly written songs performed well with a guitar accompaniment but you get a comedy show included during breaks in the musical action. He’s well-rounded to say the least. And there are plenty of people who know him well enough that he continues to be active on the music scene at 79, and as well his life and career have been captured in the award-winning documentary “The Opening Act: The Extraordinary Journey of James Lee Stanley.”

Wave Street Studios is located at 774 Wave St., one block above Cannery Row. If you haven’t yet been there, the venue is an artful creation of Rhett Smith, designed not only as a performance venue, but as an audio and video recording studio. Opening for Stanley is Dan Cioper, a local singer/songwriter with roots in Austin, Texas. He’ll perform both original and cover tunes for your listening pleasure. The concert is produced by SLV Presents. Tickets are available on Eventbrite for $28.52. Visit www.wavestreetstudios.com for more about the venue and upcoming events.

The annual Cherry Jam in the Garden takes place July 26, 3-6 p.m., a benefit for the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts. Your contribution of $60 will allow you to listen to jazz ensemble Rick Forschino and Friends, drink wine from Scheid Vineyards and enjoy light fare. There is an auction and raffle prizes. Some of the amazing prizes being offered is a full-day use of the entire event space at the Cherry ($1,200 value), a three-day artist retreat in Cachagua ($1,250 value), custom portrait sitting with photographer Kim Weston ($2,500 value) and more. Please visit www.carlcherrycenter.org for all the details and to get your ticket (Eventbrite) to what is always a great time at the Cherry, located at Fourth and Guadalupe in Carmel.

The Golden State Theatre has several great shows in the coming two weeks. This Thursday, Garrison Keillor Tonight is exactly what the title says, an evening’s worth of wit and song with the legendary American author, singer, humorist, voice actor and radio personality, best known for his Minnesota Public Radio show “A Prairie Home Companion.” The evening is comprised of one man, one microphone with stand-up comedy, storytelling, audience song, and poetry. Doors are at 7 p.m, showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets range from $53.73 to $124.03, all fees included.

The following Thursday, July 24, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives appears. Stuart is an American country and bluegrass music singer, songwriter, and musician. Active since 1968, Stuart initially toured with Lester Flatt, and then in Johnny Cash’s road band before beginning work as a solo artist in the early 1980s. He is known for his combination of rockabilly, country rock, and bluegrass music influences, his frequent collaborations and cover songs, and his distinctive stage dress. His is always a great show. Showtime 8 p.m., tickets $55.53 — $102.91.

Advance tickets can be purchased at www.goldenstatetheatre.com. Get more details for these upcoming shows, July 25, Beatles vs. Stones: A Musical Showdown; July 26, Tab Benoit: I Hear Thunder Tour, with Damon Fowler; July 29, The Marcus King Band, with Angel White opening. King’s music blend elements of blues, soul, and Southern rock with an emphasis on soulful vocals and impressive guitar work.

The Seaside Farmers Market presents Seaside Summer Sessions this Thursday, featuring the music of Dirty Cello. The free, family friendly event runs from 3 — 7 p.m., with the live music kicking off at 5 p.m. Hosted by Everyone’s Harvest in partnership with Elevate 831 (producer of Night Market 831) and with support from the City of Seaside, Seaside Summer Sessions is a monthly event that transforms the weekly farmers market into a vibrant evening of live music, community connection, and coastal culture every third Thursday through October.

“Dirty Cello’s music is all over the map: funky, carnival, romantic, sexy, tangled, electric, fiercely rhythmic, and textured,” writes Oakland Magazine. “Combine the virtuosic wail of Jimi Hendrix, the soul of BB King, and the fire of Bill Monroe, and add a whole lot of cello.”