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Originally from Los Angeles, Rita began at an early age singing and playing the piano in the gospel choir. Today she is a versatile entertainer who has lent her distinctive vocal abilities to the recordings of Tina Turner's Ikettes and Taj Mahal's Grammy nominated C.D. "Shake It To The West".
Currently, she performs as a featured vocalist with Sonic Strut, and at various national and International festivals, concerts and special events. Her song writing abilities include, the B.M.I. published songs "Begin By Loving Me" and "Love is Gonna Getcha". These songs were also performed at the Bay Area Bammie Awards show, and received a nomination.
Ms. Lackey also has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music, from the University of Santa Cruz in music. She has opened shows for such well known stars as B. B. King, Maria Mauldaur, Sly and the Family Stones, Tower of Power and the Persuasions.
Kelvin has played with John Lee Hooker, Charles Brown, Otis Rush, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas and Irma Thomas, toured and recorded with Sylvester, Two Tons of Fun (Weathergirls), Tom Mazzolini's Blues Cavalcade, Otis Rush, Lady Bianca, and Joe Louis Walker among others.
Kelvin's Texas-Louisiana roots come through loud and clear with his soulful singing and that heavy swamp groove that makes you want to get up and dance. Kelvin received his formal music training under scholarship at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Todd has been performing in the Bay Area for over 15 years. He has worked with such performers as MVP, Big Bang Beat, Jules Broussard, Mary Wells (motown artist) and as a solo artist and band leader.
The knowledge and depth of expression that Todd brings to this music is extraordinary. He is the center piece of the band’s sound.
Educated at Hartt School of Music and Boston University, he currently teaches at the Community Music Center, San Francisco, and at UCSF.
Eamonn has been a band member with many famous musicians: The Commitments, Zigaboo Modeliste, Andrew Strong, Annie Sampson (Stoneground), Beth Waters, Shana Morrison, Aniar, Essence, Wendy James(Transvision Vamp), Hazel O Connor, Paul Cleary, 75 Degrees, Viv, Perry Blake, UFM, Melvin Sparks, George Porter, Henry Butler, Ivan Neville, Papa Grows Funk and many more.
He has shared stages with Prince, Elton John, David Byrne, Rod Stewart and Bryan Adams and toured world wide. Eamonn has played gospel organ at True Hope COGIC in San Francisco and the Greater Miracle Pentecostal COGIC in Oakland and is currently the organist at Macedonia Baptist Church in Richmond.
For nearly two decades, Calvin has embodied excellence with an unlimited range of vocal versatility. He is considered one of the Bay Area’s premiere vocalists, covering the spectrum of R&B, Blues, Smooth Ballads, Gospel and/or Funk.
During his High School years, he held the Lead Singer role for an award winning gospel group called “42 Voice Ensemble”. This group embarked upon a 10-country European tour accompanied by Martha Wash -“Two Tons of Fun”, Melvin Seals, Elvin Bishop and Victor Willis – “Village People”.
He recorded his first hit in 1976, while touring with his renowned cousin Linda Tillery for the Coke Escovedo Classic. He recorded five albums with Bill Summers & Summer Heat for Fantasy and MCA Records. This produced 2 R&B hits named “Call It What You Want” and “Jam The Box”.
Additionally, he has countless lead and background hit recording credits, from artist such as, Johnnie Lee Hooker, Patti Labelle and producer Narada Michael Walden. He has toured and shared the stage with Teddy Pendergrass, the Gap Band, Boz Scaggs, Ray Obiedo, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis and Harvey Mandell.
Willie Riser, one of the unsung heroes in America's Music History, has been a full time, professional musician since 1973. He is proud to say, he has only lived in two places in his life, both of them important centers of American Music. Born in the musical hub of Chicago, Illinois, Willie is now a long time, loyal resident of Oakland, California and is a highly respected member of the Bay Area Music Scene.
The countless singers & performers who have sought out his superb supportive playing include: Otis Clay, Memphis R&B Singer, Carla Thomas, Lady Bianca, Frank Biner & The Night Shift, Jules Broussard, Jackie Paynes, & Ernie Johnson - and the list goes on. He has over 9,000 live gigs in his career so far and is still counting,
Musician and band leader Ray Fernandez has played professionally for 29 years.
He has played and toured with Club Ed, Beat Freaks, Trousers, Party of Five, Kings Hat, The Essentials, Action Jackson, Spare Parts, Joyce Rooks, All the Kings Men, Bohemian Luv Jones, Private View, Stiff Upper Lip and The Blue Light Revue.
He has opened and shared the stage with The Chambers Brothers, Violent Femmes, Lydia Lunch and Weird Al Yankovich among many others.
Rich Armstrong is a touring multi-instrumentalist, mostly known for his effected and looped trumpet/flugelhorn, congas, bongos, percussion, rhythm guitar and bass. He also sings lead and background vocals. On occasion, he’ll whip out the harmonica, mandolin, keyboards, DJ turntables, electric percussion pads, and even washboard. He is featured on Michelle Shocked’s "Dub Natural/Deep Natural" double album and also on two of the “Threesome” CDs, “Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and "Mexican Standoff”. With her, he has toured every major city in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia, and even was featured as a duo in the largest music festival in Tai Pei.
He has recently:
