Lee Hildebrand - reviewer for the
Bay Guardian, Living Blues Magazine,
S.F. Chronicle, and a drummer himself!
David Rokeach - Drummer

A long time Bay Area resident, drummer David Rokeach has been working primarily in the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas for more than 20 years. David toured nationally and internationally with Ray Charles from 1990-91. This included concert videos and many television appearances, including an appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and the Doc Severinson Orchestra. In recent years he has performed/recorded with Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Aaron Neville, Mavis Staples, Lou Rawls, Grammy winner Joe Henderson, Down Beat Poll winner Mark Murphy, Thelma Houston, Joan Baez, Bluesman Charlie Musselwhite, The George Brooks-Zakir Hussain Group, Wilson Pickett, Linda Tillery, Steve Miller, Joe Satriani, Joyce Cooling, Maria Muldaur, Calvin Keys, Barry Finnerty, Merl Saunders, David Grisman... and many more. Read more...

N E W S - P r o j e c t s . . . . . . . . details here.

  • Aug.11th-with singer Sony Holland  interpreting an eclectic variety of tunes in her own inimitable style at Second Saturday Salon , 2147 Broadway, Oakland with Seward McCain on bass and Benny Watson on piano
  • Aug 10th- with singer Sony Holland  interpreting an eclectic variety of tunes in her own inimitable style at Rossmoor Retirement Center , Walnut Creek, Fireside Room, 1001 with Seward McCain on bass and Benny Watson on piano
  • Aug 9th- with singer Sony Holland  interpreting an eclectic variety of tunes in her own inimitable style at Georges, San Rafael, 842 4th Street San Rafael, CA 94901 with Seward McCain on bass and Benny Watson on piano
  • June 2nd- Live broadcast, podcast? some kind of cast on KPFA with baritone extraordinaire Buford Powers with Marcus Shelby on bass and Jason Martineau on piano
  • May 30th- at The Panama Hotel in San Rafael with amazing guitaris/bassist/producer John Hoy. John is one of the best kept secrets in the Bay Area. We'll be joined by the incredibly musical Ross Gualco on keyboards for some tasty music for your dining pleasure
  • May 12th-with Jim and Morning Nichols at the Mildred Owen Concert Hall in Pacifica. Jim is a guitar wizard who can play just about anything. He specializes in Jazz and is one of the world's foremost disciples of Chet Atkins' finger style guitar. His wife Morning is a very  musical and soulful singer. Jim's incredibly talented brother John will be on bass. Between them, I think that they know every song! We will also be joined by some other special guests. Should be a ton of fun.
  • April 28th- Stars on Staff Celebrity Luncheon presented by Music In Schools Today featuring Grammy award winning singer/songwriter/producer David Pack , Jazz Diva Kitty Margolis , Dick  Bright, Larry Batiste and a host of others.This event will feature celebrity waiters such as Willie Brown, Leah Garchick, Joe Fonzi and others
  • April 15th- American Conservatory Theater's 2012 Season Gala featuring special Guest artist Darren Criss from the hit TV series Glee , with special performances by Bill Irwin , Patrick Lane and Betsy Wolfe .
  • March 24th-with singer songwriter Thomas Jay  at Avonova featuring Benny Watson on piano and Carla Kaufman on bass
  • March 12th -24th - Recording a new cd or two! with the legendary Holly Near @ Mesa Recording Sebastopol.
  • March 11th- with Holly Near Open Rehearsal with audience Sunday @ 3:00 pm Avonova 417 Avon Street Oakland, CA
  • March 10th- with Holly Near Open Rehearsal with audience Saturday @ 7:30 pm Shelton's House Concert 625 Sexton Road
    Sebastopol, CA
  • March 9th- with Holly Near ,Open Rehearsal with audience Friday  @ 7:00 pmUU Church of San Mateo300 East Santa Inez Ave.San Mateo, CA
  • Feb.18th - at The Seahorse in Sausalito with pianist Gini Wilson and bassist Pat Klobas
  • Jan. 28th- A Saturday Morning Kids Show at La Pena with The Rubinoos Jr. The Rubinoos are Jon Rubin, Tommy Dunbar, Al Chan, and Suzy Davis. Individually, these folks are amazing performers. Together, they're even greater than the sum of all of their parts (kind of like the Beatles, only funnier). This show is for children of all ages
  • Jan. 14th- at the Caspar Inn in Mendocino County with Cathy Richardson and The Macrodots
  • Jan.13th- Cathy Richardson and The Macrodots at Slim's SF. Cathy is the current lead vocalist with the Jefferson Starship . I've had the pleasure of working with Cathy in  The Cathy Richardson Band as well as the show "Love Janis" where she tore it up as Janis Joplin.(see reviews). The Sf. Chronicle has called her astonishing. I think that's pretty accurate. Her new music is hard rocking with a psychedelic edge.The Band features Zack Smith, Jude Gold, and Fran Kondorf. She's nothing short of amazing!
  • Jan 12-at Jambalaya in Arcata with Cathy Richardson and The Macrodots (see above)
  • Jan.7th- with the Saint Michael Trio at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. Celebrating a new cd of material by Claude Bolling with Pat Klobas on Bass
  • NEW YEARS EVE. 2012- with world class jazz singer Nate Pruitt at Madera i n Menlo Park featuring Rick Vandivier on guitar and Dan Robbins on bass.
  • Dec 3rd- with Jim and Morning Nichols at the Mildred Owen Concert Hall in Pacifica. Jim is a guitar wizard who can play just about anything. He specializes in Jazz and is one of the world's foremost disciples of Chet Atkins' finger style guitar. His wife Morning is a very soulful singer. On this gig we are joined by Bass innovator, Michael Manring . I have no idea what we'll be playing, but I'm sure that it will be a lot of fun.
  • Dec 3rd- A Saturday Morning Kids Show at The Discovery Museum in Sausilito with The Rubinoos Jr. The Rubinoos are Jon Rubin, Tommy Dunbar, Al Chan, and Suzy Davis. Individually, these folks are amazing performers. Together, they're even greater than the sum of all of their parts (kind of like the Beatles, only funnier). This show is for children of all ages!
  • Nov.29th- Xmas tree lighting ceremony at the BofA building in SF with the Dick Bright Orchestra and special guest singers.
  • Nov.24th- Tired of the same old Thanksgiving routine? Come spend Thanksgiving in beautiful downtown Reno and listen to the Contemporary Chinese Pop sounds of Chinese Divas; Frances Yip, Maria Cordero and Elisa Chan at the Reno Events Center . The Divas are backed by a stellar rhythm section including Frank Martin, Dewayne Pate , Cedrick Dennis, Carlton Liu, and Anthony Lun. If you like, you can stick around and see Sting in the same venue on Nov. 26th
  • Nov.20th -Herbst Theater Sf with Wayne Wallace and the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra performing a new concerto for Trombone by Wayne.The Orchestra will also be performing pieces by Haydn and Dvorak, but you won't see either of those guys showing up to play trombone:)
  • Nov. 19th - St. Marks Episcopal Church Palo Alto same program as above
  • Nov. 18th- First Congregational Church in Berkeley same program as above
  • Nov.6th- Yoshi's Oakland with The Sonny Simmons Quartet featuring Fred Harris on piano. Sonny played alto in Elvin Jones' classic group in the '60's. Sonny has also recorded under his own name with Trane's classic rhythm section.
  • Sept.2nd-Nov 12th- Rita Moreno - Life Without Makeup at Berkeley Repertory Theater. This is a show actually starring Rita Moreno, not an actress playing Rita Moreno. In Rita's amazing career she has won an Oscar, a Tony, a Grammy and Two Emmy's.
  • Aug 28th- A concert with singer / actor / playwrite extraordinare Alan Taylor.Featuring Fred Harris and Carla Kaufman at Avonova in North Oakland
  • July 17th - Afternoon concert at Avonova with Window of Opportunity featuring Benny Watson, Dave Tidball, Rich Girard and John Hoy
  • July 15th- Private gig with Jazz singing legend and Downbeat Poll Winner Mark Murphy with Larry Dunlap and Seward McCain.
  • June 7th- The Pat Klobas Quartet at The International Society of Bassists Convention at S.F. State University "Summer of Bass Love" featuring Gene Burkert and Terrence Brewer
  • Starting May 18th- Tales of the City at A.C.T. in SF. Great cast and great band featuring Dewayne Pate, Alex Murzyn, Dave MacNab, Marvin Mcfadden, Cian McCarthy, and Delores Duran-Cefalu
  • May 21st -A Saturday Morning Kids Show at The Freight and Salvage in Berkeley with The Rubinoos jr. The Rubinoos are Jon Rubin, Tommy Dunbar, Al Chan, and Suzy Davis. Individually, these folks are amazing performers. Together, they're even greater than the sum of all of their parts (kind of like the Beatles, only funnier). This show is for children of all ages
  • Nov.30th- Xmas tree lighting ceremony at the BofA building in SF with the Dick Bright Orchestra and special guest singers.
  • Nov.13th- A Saturday Morning Kids Show at The Discovery Museum in Sausilito with The Rubinoos The Rubinoos are Jon Rubin, Tommy Dunbar, Al Chan, and Suzy Davis. Individually, these folks are amazing performers. Together, they're even greater than the sum of all of their parts (kind of like the Beatles, only funnier). This show is for children of all ages!
  • Nov.10th-March 6th 2011-  Teatro ZinZanni License 2 Kiss featuring Kevin Kent, Tobias Larson, and Kristin Clayton
  • Oct 23 - at The Great American Music Hall , I'll be playing a few tunes for The Rubinoos 40th Anniversary Celebration. Original drummer Donn Spindt will be playing most of the night. There will  be a lot of special guests. It should be loads of fun!
  •  Oct 10th- at The Jazzschool in Berkeley with critically acclaimed pianist Debbie Poryes .  Celebrating the release of her new cd Catch your Breath. This is a follow up to her critically acclaimed trio cd A Song In Jazz on Jazzschool Records .(There are a few reviews on this website and lots of reviews on Debbie' s site). The new cd again features myself and bass legend Bill Douglass playing in a trio setting as well as some quartet tunes featuring New York Sax player, Bruce Williamson . The new disc features mixture of Debbie's original tunes as well as her unique arrangements of standards, recorded beautifully by Bruce Mishkit . The cd has been out since March of 2010 on Origin Records, and has received quite a few sparkling reviews. Origin was voted Jazz label of the year for 2009 at the Jazz Week awards.This is certainly one of the best Jazz recordings that I've ever been a part of. I really feel that this recording is a gem. I think that even people who don't normally listen to jazz will be able to appreciate the soundscapes that she's created. . Debbie is a true uncompromising artist. I feel very fortunate to be a part of her group. This gig will also feature the great trumpet player Erik Jekabson.
  • Sept 25th- Private gig with the Dick Bright Orchestra
  • Sept 18th- with the Bob Athayde septet at The Lafayette Art and Wine Festival featuring Mike Olmos, Zak Johnson, Dewayne Pate and Rich Fongheiser
  • Sept 5th -with Ray Manzarek of the Doors and The Napa Valley Symphony at The Napa River Festival . Yes folks, we'll be playing some Doors tunes including a fireworks display during Light My Fire. So come on out with the kiddies and hear some songs by The Lizard King :)
  • August 19th-Oct. 31st - New show at SF's  Teatro ZinZanni Please check this space for dates that I'll be elsewhere
  • Aug 1st -6th - teaching with an all star faculty at The Lafayette Summer Music Workshop.
  • July 24th-  The Golden Gate Bass Camp  featuring Kristen Korb, Pat Klobas , and Terrence Brewer
  • June 19th- SF Hilton, a fundraiser for Kristi Yamaguchi's Always Dream foundation featuring the Dick Bright Orchestra and performers from Dancing With The Stars
  • May 20th -Aug 15th -A new Teatro ZinZanni show called Love Chaos and Couture featuring Liliane Montevecchi. Please check this space for dates when I will be elsewhere (including July 6th -11th).
  • April 23rd- Tenth Anniversary celebration for Teatro ZinZanni featuring Joan Baez ,  Thelma Houston and El Vez
  • April 17th- cd and book release concert with inspirational songstress Karen Drucker at Unity church in Novato featuring producer John Hoy on bass and guitar
  • March 10th- at The Freight and Salvage in Berkeley with singer Lissy Walker featuring John R. Burr , Jon Evans , Dave Ellis, and Eric Jekabson
  • Feb 21st -The Center for The Arts in Grass Valley with the Debbie Poryes Quartet celebrating the release of her new cd on Origin Records
  • Feb 4th -April 30th - Teatro ZinZanni's Hearts on Fire featuring Soul Diva Thelma Houston and El Vez the Mexican Elvis (check this page for dates when I'll be elsewhere)
R E C O R D I N G - P r o j e c t s
  • A new cd by the late great Joe Beck. Should be out after the first of the year (2012) on Whaling City Sound.  It was recorded live at Anna's Jazz Island and features Joe telling a few stories too. Peter Barshay plays bass on this disc and sounds phenomenal. Joe was Miles Davis first guitarist, playing with his classic quintet on Circle in the Round. He also played with Gil Evans for many years and just about every other jazz great over the past five decades.He was also a great arranger arranging for Sinatra, Esther Phillips, Gloria Gaynor and many others. He was a studio guitarist and arranger for the famed CTI label .Sadly, Joe died of lung cancer in July of 2008. He left behind his wife Marsi and two teenage twin boys. Any income generated from this disc will go to them.
  • A new cd by the Saint Michael Trio featuring pieces by Claude Bolling rearanged for piano, violin, cello, bass and drums. This trio has an amazing ensemble connection.They're also joined by Pat Klobas on Bass.
  • A new cd with inspirational songstress Karen Drucker , produced by guitarist/bassist extrordinaire John Hoy, featuring John R. Burr on keyboards recorded at Fantasy Studios
  • A new cd with the Klobas/Kesecker Ensemble featuring guitarist Terrence Brewer recorded at Fantasy Studios
  • A new cd of originzal jazz tunes by classical flautist Laurel Zucker recorded at Skywalker Studios Jim Martinez on Piano and Paul Klempau on bass
  • A fantastic new record by jazz pianist Debbie Poryes. This is a follow up to her critically acclaimed trio cd A Song In Jazz on Jazzschool Records .(There are a few reviews on this website and lots of reviews on Debbie' s site). The new cd again features myself and bass legend Bill Douglass playing in a trio setting as well as some quartet tunes featuring New York Sax player, Bruce Williamson . The disc features mixture of Debbie's original tunes as well as her unique arrangements of standards, recorded beautifully by Bruce Mishkit. The cd is due out in March of 2010 on Origin Records . Origin was voted Jazz label of the year for 2009 at the Jazz Week awards.This is certainly one of the best Jazz recordings that I've ever been a part of. I really feel that this recording is a gem. I think that even people who don't normally listen to jazz will be able to appreciate the soundscapes that she's created. . Debbie is a true uncompromising artist. I feel very fortunate to be a part of her group. We're hoping that it comes out by the end of the year.
  • The Rubinoos Five tunes for the new kids cd byThe Rubinoos are Jon Rubin, Tommy Dunbar, Al Chan, and Suzy Davis. Individually, these folks are amazing performers. Together, they're even greater than the sum of all of their parts (kind of like the Beatles, only funnier).
  • A couple of tunes on the upcoming Pamela Rose cd .Pamela is a soulful veteran San Francisco singer who lives in that musical world on the border of R&B and Jazz. It's a fun place! The disc, recorded at Skywalker studio, is being produced by Leslie Ann Jones , with arrangements by Matt Catingcub . The tunes I play on include Matt on piano and saxophones, Mike Olmos on Trumpet, Doug Beavers on Trombone, , Danny Caron on guitar, Ruth Davies on acoustic bass, Dewayne Pate on Electric bass, and Wayne De La Cruz on Hammond B3 organ. The other tracks feature many other great players. This is a good one!
  • Four tunes for a new cd by multi instrumentalist, and smooth baritone singer Tony Marcus
  • Six new tunes for TV and Film composer Joel Evans featuring Larry Dunlap on piano and Dan Fieszl i on bass
  • A couple of tunes on new cd with Mike Dewall produced by Oakland producer Pete Elman
  • Two new cd's with amazing singer/actress/writer Carla Zilbersmith. The music features John R. Burr and Jon Evans among others. One is a jazz cd and one is her original music. These recordings are in addition to the cd Extraordinary Renditions, that we recorded in in '07 and '08. Carla was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) while we were in the midst of working on that project. We started the next group of songs with the knowledge that she had this terminal disease and that time was running out for her and for us as a musical unit. I don't think that I can adequately express how important doing her projects have been to me. She is a great artist and still writes a blog that is often poignant, intelligent and hysterically funny. She continues to be an inspiration to countless people. Please check out her music and her blog.
  • New cd with inspirational songstress Karen Drucker.
  • Jazz trio CD with pianist extraordinaire Debbie Poryes featuring bass legend Bill Douglass.
  • recording project with the Klobas/ Kesecker ensemble featuring special guest Zakir Hussain
  • cd with Bay Area Bass Master Seward Mcain and his soulful singing wife Wendy
  • cd with Jazz Singer Extraordinaire Maye Cavallero
  • Calvin Keys new cd: Hand Made Portrait
  • The new cd for Jazz singer Sony Holland
  • New cd with Broadway show singer Clark Sterling
  • New concert DVD with the Calvin Keys Trio
  • New Concert DVD with Jazz singing legend Mark Murphy as well as a new documentary DVD with Mark

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