The California Honeydrops shows in Netherlands and Belgium in late June 2009!

The California Honeydrops (USA)
Zondag 28 juni, 15.00 uur: De Bosuil, Weert – www.debosuil.nl
Maandag 29 juni, 20.00 uur: Crossroads Café, Antwerpen – www.myspace.com/thecrossroadscafe
Woensdag 1 juli, 20.00 uur: September, Den Haag

Na hun succesvolle tour van vorig jaar komen de The California Honeydrops opnieuw naar Europa waarbij ook enkele optredens in België en Nederland op het programma staan.

Opgericht in november 2007 speelde deze band aanvankelijk op straat en in de metrostations van Oakland, California. Korte tijd later vormden ze een vast rondreizend gezelschap welke op festivals en andere evenementen voor de feelgood-muziek zorgde. Dat ze al snel de titel “best party-band in Bay Area” toebedeeld kregen was niet in de laatste plaats te danken aan het feit dat The California Honeydrops uit een viertal begenadigde muzikanten bestaat. In 2008 brachten ze hun debuut cd ‘Soul Tub’ uit welke heel wat lovende kritieken ontving. De band brengt zowel eigen werk, alsmede songs van o.a. Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett en Jimmy Reed. In de basis-bezetting maken ze gebruik van een breed scala van instrumenten waaronder een paar on-alledaagse zoals een jug, wasbord en een wasteilbas(!?). De muziek is doorspekt van Southern Soul, Funky ritmes, New Orleans jazz, Ragtime en West-coast blues. Het is zeker niet het ge-eikte soundje, maar ze maken er iets geheel “eigens” van. Bezielende zangpartijen en een groovend funky ritme waarover pianoriffs rollen worden afgewisseld met pakkende trompet- en gitaar-soli. De speciale beat maakt dat alle songs authentiek klinken alsof het gezelschap het ging afkijken in het zuiden van de USA meer precies in de muzikale broeikas van New Orleans. Frontman Lech Wierzynski (gitaar, vocalen, trompet) leerde blues en jazz spelen in Washington DC met vele jamsessies als oefenterrein. Hij kreeg lessen van Marcus Belgrave, voormalig lid van The Ray Charles band en begeleidde o.a. Maria Muldaur, Dan Hicks en Jackie Payne. Pianist Chris Burns is al decennia lang een gerenommeerd barrelhouse pianist die verder als sideman fungeerde bij o.a. Albert Collins en Elvin Bishop. Voeg daarbij de pompende washtub-bass van Ben Malament en de Afro-Amerikaanse invloed van de enige dame in dit stel Nansamba Ssensalo (washboard, drums, vocals, fiddle, jug) en je hebt onweerstaanbare smeltkroes van Amerikaanse rootsmuziek helemaal thuishorend in de categorie Blues And Beyond.

Website: www.myspace.com/thecaliforniahoneydrops

The California Honeydrops will be back for their second Euro tour for some good times New Orleans style music leaving everyone with a big smile on their faces!

28 June 2009 3pm Weert, Netherlands – De Bosuil
Vrakkerveld 2c, 6002 AZ Weert, Netherlands, www.debosuil.nl

29 June 2009 Antwerp, Belgium – Crossroads Café
Free show!!!
Mechelsesteenweg 8, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium, www.crossroadscafe.be

1 July 2009 The Hague, Netherlands – September
Grote Markt 26, 2511 BG ‘s-Gravenhage, Netherlands

Everyone who’s had the chance to see this Roots, Blues and Soul Quartet with its unique instrumentation of tub bass (Soul Tub!), washboard, jug, as well as piano, trumpet, drums, guitar and vocals knows that they will get any crowd on their feet with their mix of original songs as well as traditionals (i.e. Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Jimmy Reed, Wilson Pickett).

Their album Soul Tub! has received fantastic reviews as well as radio airplay since it was released in November 2008.

Songs and videos are online on www.myspace.com/thecaliforniahoneydrops

The California Honeydrops : Biography

The California Honeydrops are excited to announce the release of their debut album, Soul Tub!, out on TubTone Records on November 22nd, 2008. This album of all original works is both a tribute to the African-American musical tradition as well as the band’s first chance to make people dance with their own songs.

The California Honeydrops were formed in November of 2007 playing in the subway stations of Oakland, CA. Playfully crossing genres from roots and blues to R&B and soul, The California Honeydrops’ sound is tied together by their unique instrumentation, soulful vocal harmonies, and a funky, good-times New Orleans style. The Honeydrops’ more unusual instruments include a home-made gutbucket bass, jug, and washboard. Their greasy down-home rhythms are punctuated by joyous blasts of trumpet, rollicking piano riffs, and passionate bluesy vocals. The only band of its kind, The California Honeydrops’ live shows have quickly gained a reputation as the best party in the Bay Area.

Born in Warsaw, Poland, band leader and front man Lech Wierzynski started playing blues and jazz as a teenager at after-hours jam sessions in Washington D.C. After studying trumpet with Marcus Belgrave (Ray Charles), Lech launched his own career in Oakland. Having accompanied artists such as Maria Muldaur, Dan Hicks, and Jackie Payne, Lech has been schooled by some of the biggest names in American music and grown equally adept as a trumpeter, singer, and guitarist.

The vibrant rhythm section of The California Honeydrops is fueled by the barrelhouse style of Oakland piano veteran Chris Burns (Albert Collins, Freddie Hughes, Maria Muldaur). Rotating between tub bass, jug, washboard, and drums are Nansamba Ssensalo (Jug Free America, Blue Roots) and Ben Malament (Terry Reid, The Marvelettes, Dale Spaulding).

Digging deep into the traditions of American music, The California Honeydrops bring to the stage not only an unmatched level of musicianship and authenticity but also a funky good time that’s hard to beat. Ripping through classic material as well as their own original songs, The California Honeydrops will get any crowd on its feet, dancing and singing along.