The Blues Defenders
About The Band
Jeff Piche
For the past 30 years, Jeff has expressed his passion for Blues with dazzling performances throughout the West. His “gritty” roadhouse style encompasses the influences of Paul Butterfield, Ray Charles, and Michael Bloomfield. Jeff has shared stages with some legendary blues greats and is often compared to the great Charlie Musslewhite. Jeff’s “soulful” harmonica and smooth vocal delivery, sends crowds through heart pounding, show stopping experiences.
Mike Rippee
During his active career, Mike has been the "rock hard" foundation for groups he’s played with. From Dixieland to Jazz, Funk to Blues, Mike keeps the beat “going on and on and on”. At the age of 14, after experiencing Joe Morello on the stage at the Monterey Jazz Festival, he was convinced drumming would be his lifelong passion. As a member of the Legendary Stardust Cowboys, Collective Works and Crosscut, Mike has shared the stage with America, Norton Buffalo, Roy Rogers, Johnny Lee, Tower of Power, and is currently the West coast drummer for Mississippi bluesman Johnny Rawls. Mike is an excellent drummer who “hits the sticks” with precise dynamics.
For the past 30 years, Jeff has expressed his passion for Blues with dazzling performances throughout the West. His “gritty” roadhouse style encompasses the influences of Paul Butterfield, Ray Charles, and Michael Bloomfield. Jeff has shared stages with some legendary blues greats and is often compared to the great Charlie Musslewhite. Jeff’s “soulful” harmonica and smooth vocal delivery, sends crowds through heart pounding, show stopping experiences. Mike Rippee During his active career, Mike has been the "rock hard" foundation for groups he’s played with. From Dixieland to Jazz, Funk to Blues, Mike keeps the beat “going on and on and on”. At the age of 14, after experiencing Joe Morello on the stage at the Monterey Jazz Festival, he was convinced drumming would be his lifelong passion. As a member of the Legendary Stardust Cowboys, Collective Works and Crosscut, Mike has shared the stage with America, Norton Buffalo, Roy Rogers, Johnny Lee, Tower of Power, and is currently the West coast drummer for Mississippi bluesman Johnny Rawls. Mike is an excellent drummer who “hits the sticks” with precise dynamics.
Donny Mederos
As a member of the Bay Area vocal group The Staton Brothers, Donny began playing bass at 16. Signed in the early 70’s, by Clive Davis, the group recorded their first album for Epic Records and hit the road. He has played on the same stages with Cold Blood, Tower of Power, Doobie Brothers, and Buffalo Springfield. Influenced early on by James Jamerson, Rocco Prestia, and Jaco Pastorius, Donny’s smooth Motown, Jazz, and Funk bass styles hold steady for the funky beats of the Defenders. Donny is the West Coast bassman for Mississippi Bluesman Johnny Rawls.
Jerome Engleberts
Born and raised inAmsterdam
his father's Big Bill Broonzy records at age 12. He is a veteran entertainer who has shared bandstands with Albert Collins,Buddy Guy, Shirley King, Big Time Sarah, Gloria Hardiman, Johnny Nitro, Daniel Castro, and Tattoo Blue. His unique blues based style is inspired by a wide range of players, but most notably Amos Garrrett, B.B. King, and Robben Ford. Jerome utilized double-stops and harmonizing string bending to deliver both solid in-the-pocket rhythm guitar and melodic and lyrical solos that truly stand out.
As a member of the Bay Area vocal group The Staton Brothers, Donny began playing bass at 16. Signed in the early 70’s, by Clive Davis, the group recorded their first album for Epic Records and hit the road. He has played on the same stages with Cold Blood, Tower of Power, Doobie Brothers, and Buffalo Springfield. Influenced early on by James Jamerson, Rocco Prestia, and Jaco Pastorius, Donny’s smooth Motown, Jazz, and Funk bass styles hold steady for the funky beats of the Defenders. Donny is the West Coast bassman for Mississippi Bluesman Johnny Rawls. Jerome Engleberts
Born and raised in
his father's Big Bill Broonzy records at age 12. He is a veteran entertainer who has shared bandstands with Albert Collins,Buddy Guy, Shirley King, Big Time Sarah, Gloria Hardiman, Johnny Nitro, Daniel Castro, and Tattoo Blue. His unique blues based style is inspired by a wide range of players, but most notably Amos Garrrett, B.B. King, and Robben Ford. Jerome utilized double-stops and harmonizing string bending to deliver both solid in-the-pocket rhythm guitar and melodic and lyrical solos that truly stand out.
Dave Cardoza
A working professional musician for the past 30 years as a keyboard player and vocalist, performing and recording in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dave’s obvious formal training does not get in the way of the free expression needed for playing the Blues. He has been actively involved in the evolution of electronic music, composition, and keyboard technology since the late 1960's. Along with the Blues, Dave enjoys playing all types of music from Big Band, Jazz, Hard Rock, Pop and Country. He has maintained a reputation of being one of the best in the business. He is a prolific teacher with over 40 students.
A working professional musician for the past 30 years as a keyboard player and vocalist, performing and recording in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dave’s obvious formal training does not get in the way of the free expression needed for playing the Blues. He has been actively involved in the evolution of electronic music, composition, and keyboard technology since the late 1960's. Along with the Blues, Dave enjoys playing all types of music from Big Band, Jazz, Hard Rock, Pop and Country. He has maintained a reputation of being one of the best in the business. He is a prolific teacher with over 40 students.