Two great bands, The RV Band, a North Bay favorite and the DeJa Blu' Band, a well known South Bay band, have merged to become one powerhouse band; with roots in blues, including Chicago Blues, Blues Rock, Rhythm and Blues, Funk and Soul. Together, this band offers not only an extensive song list of cover tunes, but also offers a large selection of well-arranged original material, including the song, "Work, Work," written by keyboards and vocalist Raymond Victor
RAYMOND VICTOR
Victor's voice has that guttural, kind of nasty feeling-one that tells you "blues are in the house," and is complemented by his awesome work on piano. ~ Reviewed By John Hathaway Natchel Blues Network
Raymond Victor's gut-wrenching, blues-drenched vocals soar above, around and through each tune--building to a choke-hold that won't loosen its grip until you jump up and boogie. Just when you think you've regained control, Raymond's smokin' keyboards push everything to the edge. His keyboard work has supported such blues dignitaries as John Lee Hooker, Bobby 'Blue' Bland, Michael Bloomfield, Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite. ~ Reviewed by A Party A Day.
Biography of the Players:
SUZY TYLER
Diane Dutra has been in the music business for 25 years playing locally and nationally. She has toured nationally with Marty Balin of Jefferson Starship, Luther Tucker and Jimmy McCracklin. Locally, she worked with Curtis Lawson, Alvon Johnson, Red Archibald and the Internationals and, perhaps most importantly, the last 12 years playing bass in the RV Band with partner, Raymond Victor. Dutra’s versatility on stand-up acoustic bass and electric bass along with her vocal abilities make her an integral part of any performance. Her extensive background in vocal harmony allows the band the opportunity for three part harmonies on some of their repertoire. Diane plays a solid, melodic rhythm and her concept of meter creates the solid groove for the rhythm section.
DIANE DUTRA
EDDIE MAC MCPHEE
Drummer Rick Castello joined DeJa Blu' in 2000. It is Rick's solid groove that keeps the audience on the dance floor. His driving force holds the beat and the power behind the band. Rick has toured with James Armstrong, and worked locally with Red Archibald and the Internationals and Andy Just. Rick has been most influenced by the late, great Tony Williams and Vinnie Calluta. Rick attended the Percussion Institute of Technology in Hollywood. He is collaborating with Eddie Mac and Suzy on arrangements of original material due out on DeJa Blu's next CD.
Suzy Tyler, born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was raised on Dixie Land Jazz and Big Band. Influenced in her teen years by Janis Joplin and Lydia Pence, Suzy leaned towards southern rock and blues with some KFAT country thrown in. She and Eddie Mac became partners in 1993 and his jazz leanings combined with her southern rock background brought them to the blues. DeJa Blu was formed in 1998 and the two began performing together. Suzy began writing lyric and Eddie Mac developed the arrangements. It was then that they met Red Archibald who became an integral player in Suzy’s development. Working with Red in the studio on “Shelter For The Blues” Suzy discovered the depth and dynamics in her vocals. Red became Suzy’s mentor, encouraging her to belt out the blues with power and emotion. Around 2002, Suzy met Steve Freund and began a journey of discovery of the Chicago Blues. She became a frequent guest of Freund’s and saturated herself in the solidness of his blues. Although Suzy has been influenced by vocal artists such as CoCo Taylor, Bonnie Rait, Alberta Adams, she attributes her love for the blues to guitar greats like Steve Freund, Junior Watson, Jimmy Thackery and BB King. She says, “A great guitarist plays so soulfully, it grabs you deep in your gut. He can touch you in places without his fingers ever leaving the strings. Now that’s blues with a feeling!”.
Eddie Mac McPhee, originated the DeJa Blu' Band in 1998 with his partner, Suzy Tyler. With roots in jazz, Eddie Mac blends his chord style with smokin' blues riffs, manipulating his sound with fewer notes and intense feeling. Eddie has been playing guitar since the age of 8, taking guitar lessons for years from bay area great Rick Messina. Studying music and theory in college, including playing with various Jazz ensembles and big bands gave Eddie the solid foundation from which to create his style. Born in the San Francisco Bay Area, Eddie spent some 15 years playing clubs and festivals in the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay area. Eddie has played with some of the areas best, including Santa Cruz’s New Jazz Review and John Tucker’s Broadway Blues Band. One of his most special memories was performing 'Cast Your Fate to the Wind' with the late, great Vince Guaraldi back in the mid seventies. Currently, Eddie Mac can be heard with Red Archibald and the Internationals and his own band, DeJa Blu’. His influences include, Django Reinhardt, Joe Pass, Charlie Christian, Gatemouth Brown, Mike Bloomfield and Jr. Watson. Eddie Mac is responsible for the powerful arrangements on the DeJa Blu' CD, 'Shelter for the blues'.
A twenty year resident of the Bay Area, Raymond was born in 1949 in Chicago, Illinois. Music was part of his life growing up. His father was a guitar player and his mother a singer and dancer. Raymond started playing piano at the age of five and hasn’t stopped since. He worked as a studio musician in Los Angeles for ten years and was a staff writer for CBS. He recorded with Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder, Bobby Womac and Larry Graham. Raymond has performed with Bobby “Blue” Bland, Big Momma Thorton, Elvin Bishop, Kathi MacDonald, Steve Freund, Red Archibald and Luther Tucker. On his own he has opened for Canned Heat, Lou Rawls, Garth Brooks, Buddy Guy and Edgar Winter. With 6 CD’s to his credit his latest effort “Living With The Blues” was released in September 2000. The hit single, “Spirit of the Blues” was picked up by a syndicated blues show with a listenership of 6 million.
ScHedULeD veNueS
June 1st & 2nd Raymond Victor ~ Suzy Tyler and the DeJa Blu' Band at the Historic Lewiston Hotel in Lewiston, California near Weaverville.
Friday night blues revue in the hotel bar 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Saturday morning the town transforms from a quiet hamlet to the hustle and bustle of activity as the streets fill with local artisans for the Peddlers Fair. Come back Saturday night for a Tribute to Red Archibald with
Raymond Victor ~ Suzy Tyler and the DeJa Blu' Band at the Lewiston Hotel Bar at 9:00 p.m.
The Lewiston Hotel has a fantastic menu with large, "never gonna go hungry" portions of gourmet fare. Drinks are reasonably priced and lots to choose from. This is an extra special, extra fun gig.
July 7th Suzy Tyler with special guest John Davis and the DeJa Blu' Band at the Hollister Biker Run. Bolado Park Campgrounds, 'Booze Fighters'.
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
July 25th Raymond Victor ~ Suzy Tyler and the DeJa Blu' Band at 2525 Market Street in San Francisco. Noon to 1:00 pm
August 10th. Gracies Bar B Que in Vallejo. Raymond Victor Band with special guests Suzy Tyler and Eddie Mac McPhee. 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 1801 Sonoma Blvd, Vallejo.
You are our
visitor since June 2001
August 11th The Biloxi Blues II Festival. Raymond Victor~Suzy Tyler and the DeJa Blu' Band return for more belting out the blues to benefit the families of Biloxi, Mississippi affected by Hurricane Katrina's devastation in 2005. Last years proceeds assisted 40 families. The Foothill Lions Club hopes to help even more families this year. Festival runs from 11:00am-8:00pm. Other bands include Delta Wires, Bob Mora and the Third Degrees Band, Catherine Denise, and Ripple Creek
Loma Rica, CA (near Yuba City & Grass Valley)
For more INFO: call:530-742-LION(5466)
September 7th. Dan Foley Park, Fund raiser (in the auditorium) Raymond Victor Band with special guests Suzy Tyler and Eddie Mac McPhee. 6:00pm to 9:00pm
September 8th. Biker Rally in Vallejo. Raymond Victor Band with special guests Suzy Tyler and Eddie Mac McPhee.
September 9th Art and Concerts in the Park with Raymond Victor~Suzy Tyler and the DeJa Blu' Band. 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Sacramento and Louisiana Street, Vallejo, California. Contact (707)648-4511
October 13th Community Concerts presents Raymond Victor with Suzy Tyler and the RV Band. 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Sacramento and Louisiana Street, Vallejo, California. Contact (925)229-2710 www.communityconcerts.com
November 23th & 24th Raymond Victor ~ Suzy Tyler and the DeJa Blu' Band at the Historic Lewiston Hotel in Lewiston, California near Weaverville.
Friday night blues revue in the hotel bar 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m
Saturday evening join the town for an enchanting evening with Christmas carols and the annual Bridge Lighting, followed by a fabulous display of fireworks over the river. Dance the night away with Raymond Victor ~ Suzy Tyler and the DeJa Blu' Band at the Lewiston Hotel Bar at 9:00 p.m.
The Lewiston Hotel has a fantastic menu with large, "never gonna go hungry" portions of gourmet fare. Drinks are reasonably priced and lots to choose from. This is an extra special, extra fun gig.
Past Venues
San Louis Obispo Blues Society Dance, San Louis Obispo
Feb 11th Tribute to Red Archibald ~ House Band "King Perkoff"
Guest appearances by the DeJa Blu Band and more.
The Saloon on Grant Street in San Francisco
2:00 pm and into the night.
On Sunday January 13th, 2008 please join us in a celebration of
~THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF RED ARCHIBALD~
at the Mojo Lounge in Fremont. Scheduled to begin at 4:00 pm.
Alvon Johnson, The Delta Wires, Taylor P. Collins, Rene Solis, Jimmy Dewrance, Raymond Victor/Suzy Tyler Band, Andrew Beal, James Reed and more join The Internationals for an
, and voted Best Blues Song for 2000 by Just Plain Folks. DeJa Blu's all original CD, "Shelter For The Blues", is featured on radio stations KKUP and KFJC. Raymond's "gut-wrenching, blues-drenched vocals" are the perfect contrast to singer Suzy Tyler's strong and dynamic, "smooth as honey" voice and back up vocalist Diane Dutra's harmonies. Add to the mix guitarist Eddie Mac McPhee's intricate chord lines and jazz/blues riffs with the solid groove between bass player Diane Dutra and drummer Rick Castelo and you've got one helluva house-rockin blues band.
September 21st. Gracies Bar B Que in Vallejo. Raymond Victor Band with special guests Suzy Tyler and Eddie Mac McPhee. 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
January 13th, 2008 "ATribute to the Life and Music of Red Archibald" at the Mojo Lounge in Fremont. 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Featuring special appearances by Alvon Johnson, Delta Wires, Taylor P. CollinsRene Solis, Jimmy Dewrance, Raymond Victor/Suzy Tyler Band, Red's Internationals including Don Baraka, Sean Leahy and Stuart Burr, Tom Lawson of Red Beans and Rice, James Reed of Mojo Madness, new comer "the dancing sax man" Andrew Bealle of America's Most Talented and way more! Pro Jam to follow. Contact us for more info.
