It’s Your Life / People, Places and Things to do. : JAZZ GREAT : Spoon Doles Out Music With a History

Legendary blues-jazz singer Jimmy Witherspoon, who will show up as the special guest at 66 California on Saturday night, has been around, in the best sense of the term. When Spoon sings, he’s dipping into history, personally and culturally.

Witherspoon’s musical roots go back to his church where he grew up in Gurdon, Ark. He launched his career in the post-World War II years, catching the tail end of the swing era as vocalist with bandleader Jay McShann, who helped forged the Kansas City blues sound alongside Count Basie. On his own, Witherspoon scored a hit with “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” in the ‘50s.

He has ridden the peaks and valleys of acclaim since then, resurfacing in the early ‘70s, when he made the classic jazz and R & B-tinged album “Spoonful.” Reissued on CD last year on the Avenue label, the album features a certain budding young guitar hero named Robben Ford, who now calls Ojai home.

Spoon is alive and kicking, belting out the blues with a jazz subplot.

* Jimmy Witherspoon, singing with the Johnny Veith Trio, 9 p.m. Saturday, 66 California, 66 S. California St., Ventura; $3; 648-2266.