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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 it's 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 it's feet, dancing and singing along.
