The BlowBacks

Bruce has had a guitar in his hands for much of his life. He taught himself to play on his dad’s old Silvertone acoustic at age 12 and quickly graduated to electric guitar. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area in the midst of the 1960’s-70’s burgeoning music scene. His love of guitar playing landed him in several bands playing the local clubs back then like Jerry’s Stop Sign (formerly Mandrakes), and Long Branch Saloon, Roundup Saloon in Lafayette, and Clayton Club Saloon before moving to Amador County in 2014.
Song writing became an extension of his playing, and Bruce started writing songs about 15 years ago. His early efforts were blues based, and he began attending local open mics and jams to perform them. This helped him to meet many talented players. Key influences include Bay Area bluesman Johnny Nitro (who hosted a weekly jam), and saxophonist Barry Duncan, who was also an East Bay transplant.
Soon after relocating to Amador County Bruce adopted a more acoustic based writing style with a blend of Rock, Americana and Country. When he’s not writing songs or rehearsing, Bruce mainly enjoys playing. He has performed locally with Mr Pinstripe, Kool Shifters, Joe Rose and the Howlers, Beau Rumpas, and Blow Daddy. He is currently playing with The BlowBacks (and their more portable version The BabyBacks).
Bruce Langston lives in Valley Springs CA with his wife Debbie.

As a child in Atlanta, Georgia, Chip was inspired by his sister’s record collection and AM radio, and his love of music soon turned into a life-long passion. Although he started by playing electric guitar at 16, the first time he tried the bass he knew it would be for life! As a teenager, Chip played in hard rock and heavy metal bands in Ventura, CA. After moving north in the 1990’s, he became enamored with blues music. Since 2005, Chip has played primarily with blues guitarist Jeramy Norris under several band names (The Blues Cartel, The Dangerous Mood, Who’s JAC?, Wingnut Adams) as well as other blues bands (Road House Blues Band, Sonhouse Blues Band, Big Earl and the Cryin’ Shame, Shad Harris and The Groovenators). Chip has shared the stage with Robben Ford, Tommy Castro, Chris Cain, Dennis Jones, Shane Dwight, Eric Gales, Daniel Castro, Johnny Lee Hooker Jr., Bob Margolin, Mick Martin, Fillmore Slim and others. 

During the pandemic, the Blues Cartel’s 120 shows per year slowed to a trickle. When Chip moved to Amador County fulltime in 2021, he reconnected with Allen Kreutzer, a former bandmate from Who’s JAC?, who encouraged Chip to also play with the Blowbacks. Never one to say no to a challenge, Chip has invested serious time to expand his abilities to the many genres that The BlowBacks and The BabyBacks are known for, not only blues but classic rock, big band, jazz, swing, and funk. 

Joe writes: 

“I remember being about three, sitting by my mothers’s Steinway. She was a conservatory graduate, and I was fascinated with her piano. I soon started noodling on the piano, and I have been doing that ever since. I’m so grateful for my mother’s education, and also that I inherited her musical ability. I received a classical education, and at one time or another, I have played in every conceivable ensemble: from bluegrass to Beethoven. Eventually, I moved to Los Angeles, where I became a sound engineer, and sometimes a producer, in my own facility. I have had the good fortune to record, to play with, or to work with a many famous artists, from Steely Dan to Andy Williams. I’ve also worked with orchestras, pipe organs, and choirs. After moving to Amador county, I started playing with the best in the area. I am playing with The Blowbacks and having a great time. I feel that I’m the luckiest guy in the world and I’m grateful for every second of it. TOO MUCH FUN!!!!!”

Allen has loved playing the drums since was a kid in junior high. He perfected his chops while playing for several college bands, before graduating from the University of California at Davis. Allen played with Mick Martin in “Orion Express”, as well as the very popular band “St. Elmo’s Fire” (wayyy before the movie!), who headlined at the venerable UC Davis Picnic Day several years in a row. He also played for “Powder River” and many more local and beloved UC Davis bands. After Allen moved to Santa Cruz, he worked with Sharon Allen and Allen Frank, in a fruitful association that lasted 17+ years. Allen was the drummer for Allen Frank, a member of the house band at the legendary Henflings of Ben Lomand. Allen moved to beautiful Drytown, CA, and began his career as wine maker and vintner at Drytown Cellars. He played for 17 more years as the drummer for The Allen Frank Band at the old Drytown Club on Hwy 49. Allen met saxophonist Barry Duncan and began playing jazz and swing in Mr. Pinstripe, and later, Blow Daddy. 

Allen now plays for The BlowBacks, The BabyBacks, and quite often with his friend Jeramy Norris, of Jeramy Norris and The Blues Cartel. 

Pine Grove, CA

Paul started playing trumpet in the 6th grade in Livermore, California, and quickly learned that he really enjoyed playing jazz.  He played in the concert and jazz bands throughout high school and college.  During his high school years, Paul played with the San Jose Raiders and Concord Blue Devil Drum and Bugle Corps. Since college Paul has played with a wide variety of bands, most notably for ten years with the Bay Area Big Band “Chops”. Paul also studied with some top trumpet educators, including Mic Gillette of Tower of Power. In 2013 Paul was approached by saxophonist extraordinaire Barry Duncan. Barry was forming a neo swing band in Jackson, California , called “Mr Pinstripe”. Ten years later that band has evolved into its current form, “The Blowbacks”. 

Steve started learning clarinet in the 5th grade when his grandmother traded her armchair for a used clarinet. Steve played clarinet in the school bands and also saxophone in jazz band at Watsonville High School. In high school, four friends grouped with Steve to form the Stanford Street Jazz Company which played for Elks Lodges, mobile home parks etc.

Steve attended Cabrillo Community College and then transferred to San Jose State University to complete his Bachelors Degree In Music on the clarinet. He also studied saxophone with virtuoso William Trimble. While finishing his studies at San Jose State, he became a charter member of the now famous Royal Society Jazz Orchestra (RSJO),opening for jazz legend Don Menza at DeAnza College’s Flint Center and then numerous appearances at the Sacramento Jazz Festival.

Steve taught instrumental music for two years at the elementary level, and when the music position was eliminated due to Prop 13, he continued to teach clarinet and saxophone privately as well as playing in various ensembles. He has also performed in over 25 Broadway musicals in the pit orchestra for community theater companies.

Classical experience included performing with the South Valley Symphony (Santa Clara County), the Watsonville Band, the Morgan Hill Wind Symphony, and the San Jose Metropolitan Band. Having moved to Pioneer, CA in 2008, he currently is the musical director of the 40-member Amador County Concert Band.

In 1998, Steve formed the South Bay Swing Band, an 18-piece big band; and in 2002, he formed the Steve Chambers Quintet. Both groups perform in the greater Bay Area. 

Notable performances include the Sacramento Jazz Festival, the Gilroy Garlic Festival, special events at Paul Mason Winery, and the historic Coconut Grove Ballroom. The Quintet was featured on Carnival Cruise Line during the summer of 2004 and performed at the Avalon Ballroom on Catalina Island. As a member of the Central Coast Saxophone Quartet on baritone sax, Steve has made 22 consecutive annual appearances at the Garlic Festival.

Steve co-founded and leads the Speakeazy Jazz Orchestra, a 1920’s – 30’s dance/jazz band which consists of 10 members. Notable performances have been numerous appearances at Sacramento’s Dante Club and the annual Concours’ de Elegance at Ironstone Vineyards.

Steve is currently loving his role with the BlowBacks learning “new” music and being able to play with the incredible musicians within the band!

In 2018, while playing with Rod Harris in the Columbia College Jazz Band and local favorite dance band Chains Required, Bruce also joined Blow Daddy. Since his 10th birthday, Bruce “Bone” has been playing trombone in a huge variety of bands: marching, concert, and big bands. Bruce has shared the stage with great soloists and countless bandmates. Growing up in San Rafael, going to college at UC Davis and working in Jackson, Bruce is a life-long Californian who loves The BlowBacks ever-evolving set lists, and he’s always looking forward to playing whatever their talented lineup comes up with next.  Bruce lives in Valley Springs. 

Matt grew up in a musical family, and his parents were strong supporters of his musical aspirations. His father was an accomplished pianist and singer, and his mother was a classically trained vocalist. They played in a widely popular Bay Area 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s cover band called “Myxx”. So, naturally, Matt found inspiration in jazz, swing, and the vocal stylings of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, who strongly influence his singing style. Matt’s trombone chops were influenced by trombone greats JJ Johnson, Jack Teagarden, Conrad Herwig, and Frank Rosolino. 

Matt began playing trombone at sixteen, and he went on to major in Jazz Performance at Los Medanos Collegein Pittsburg, California. Matt has played with the likes of trumpeter Bobby Shew, percussionist Pete Escovedo, drummer Steve Smith, saxophonist Mary Fetig, as well as comedian Dana Carvey. Matt gigged in and around the Bay Area before starting a family and eventually settling down in Calaveras County. 

San Andreas, CA

Originally from White Pines, CA, Jenni has been singing all of her life. She started with Barry Duncan’s band “Blow Daddy” after answering a Craigslist ad for “vocalist needed in Amador County”. She really loves blues, jazz, swing, and big band. Jenni learned to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” during informal practices with the Marine Corps Band in the mid-1980’s, and she performs our National Anthem at many events throughout the Central Valley and Mother Lode.