If you’ve been involved in the San Diego music community for any length of time, odds are you’ve run into Jeffrey Bloom. Currently bassist in cover band Stone Horse, Bloom has been a mainstay of local clubs for 35 years, emerging out of the late ’70s and early ’80s La Jolla / Bird Rock scene that included the likes of Rolle Love of the Beat Farmers and acclaimed film composer Michael Andrews. On July 20, Bloom celebrates his 50th birthday with a special performance at the Ocean Beach Farmers Market, featuring an all-star group of musicians including guitarists Greg Vaughn (Danyavaad & The Shimmy Sisters).
“It just feels right to have my birthday celebration outdoors,” Bloom said. “I can’t think of a better spot to do something like this than the OB Farmers Market. It’s free, it’s all ages, it’s right in the sunshine and sea breeze. Even without the occasion being my birthday, that would be worth celebrating,” he joked. Bloom acquired his first guitar at age 9 and was playing house parties by 11. Already a veteran of San Diego’s teen clubs of the era, Bloom first came to prominence in 1983 as a member of indie rock band, Army of Love, scoring local radio hits and opening spots for the likes of the Kinks. Following that combo’s split in 1987, Bloom’s career has been eclectic, but always rooted in music, including stints as a rock photographer and guitar tech. Musical highlights include a brief run with the World’s Cutest Killers alongside members of The Go-Go’s, Girlschool and Blondie as well as opening for the Ramones with his band, Sex & Free Beer, in 1989.
“Those were incredible days,” Bloom mused. “You try to appreciate it at the time, but it’s not until later that you can really take it all in.”
More recently he has released three solo albums and worked on original music with his band Buterflys and Zephyrs. Now he’s also gigging with Stone Horse, who next performs on July 28 aboard the Bahia Belle and Aug. 20 at Petco Park as part of the pre-game show, Bloom enjoys the opportunity to showcase his bass chops on cover tunes. “A much as I enjoy playing my own music, it’s a lot of fun playing classic songs that everybody knows. A lot of shows with that kind of set list are parties or some sort of happy gathering, so it’s hard not to enjoy the atmosphere. ”
For his birthday set he promises a rotating group of musicians. “I’m going to pull out all the stops,” he laughed. “I’ve played the Farmer’s Market many times,” Bloom remarked. “I love that there are children dancing and smiling, sometimes coming up and singing. So for this I’ve put together a multigenerational group of players that range in age from 12 to 60.” Bloom has one of the most eclectic repertoires of cover tunes in town, with a set list full of tunes from the likes of Parliament-Funkadelic to David Bowie. With 35 years of music behind him, Bloom is happy to still be making music. “I took a break from playing live in 2015,” he said. “I still played for me, sometimes just down at the beach with the ocean as my backing band, but I didn’t take on any of the stress that goes with being in a band and booking shows. But that break has made me appreciate things even more and I find that I enjoy making music and taking it to audiences now more than ever.
Music feeds my soul,” Bloom said. “It lets me communicate with people, make a connection. Isn’t that what life is all about?” Visit oceanbeachsandiego.com for more information. Jeff Bloom: Wednesday, July 20 at the Ocean Beach Farmers Market, Newport and Bacon avenues, 4 p.m. All ages.