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.
Matt Silva
Over the last 35 years Matt has been playing with many of the Bay Area legends; John Cippolina of Quicksliver, recorded with Martin Fierro and Howard Wales of Jerry Garcia Band and has toured with Crystal Wind. Matt has played every "Juke Joint" from Oakland to the Florida Keys honing his craft to include the many rhythms of Latin, Jazz, Funk, and Blues.
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. Matt Silva
Over the last 35 years Matt has been playing with many of the Bay Area legends; John Cippolina of Quicksliver, recorded with Martin Fierro and Howard Wales of Jerry Garcia Band and has toured with Crystal Wind. Matt has played every "Juke Joint" from Oakland to the Florida Keys honing his craft to include the many rhythms of Latin, Jazz, Funk, and Blues.