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The California Honeydrops

Digging deep into the roots of American music, The California Honeydrops embrace the traditions of Blues, Gospel, Second Line New Orleans Jazz, and early R&B. With stellar performances of traditional material as well as their own innovative music, The California Honeydrops get people out of their seats and onto the floor, dancing and singing along.

Formed in November 2007, The California Honeydrops first performed on the streets and in the subways stations in Oakland, California. Playfully crossing genres from Roots and Blues to R&B and soul, The California Honeydrops’ sound is tied together by soulful vocal harmonies, colorful shouts from brass and horns, and a funky, good-times New Orleans rhythm section. They quickly gained a reputation as the best party in the Bay Area.

Born in Warsaw, Poland, band leader and front man Lech Wierzynski began 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 continued his career after moving to Oakland. Honing his craft with some of the biggest names in American music, such as Maria Muldaur, Dan Hicks, and Jackie Payne, Lech has grown equally as a trumpeter, singer, and guitarist.

The vibrant rhythm section of The California Honeydrops is fueled by piano veteran Chris Burns (Albert Collins, Freddie Hughes, Maria Muldaur), drummer Ben Malament (Terry Reid, The Marvelettes, The Jelly Roll Souls), and bassist Seth Ford-Young (Tom Waits, Sean Hayes, Beats Antique). Adding an unprecedented energy is saxophonist Johnny Bones (Eddie Palmiere, Nell Carter, Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums).


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Live Review

The California Honeydrops At Mission Ballroom

Read "The California Honeydrops At Mission Ballroom" reviewed by Steven Roby


California Honeydrops w/Sam Grisman Project Mission Ballroom Denver, CO November 10, 2023 On the last night of their 2023 “Bye, Bye, Baby" tour, The California Honeydrops gave a stellar performance at the grand Mission Ballroom last Friday. The only glitch in the show was the oddly placed opening act, the Sam Grisman Project, a tightly huddled quartet of acoustic bluegrass players, not really the right choice for a packed and noisy crowd ready to dance, ...

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230

Recording

The California Honeydrops Debut Album "Soul Tub!" Released

The California Honeydrops Debut Album "Soul Tub!" Released

Source: Here We Go Agency

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 ...

...The influences from this band are heavily rooted in artists from the Stax theater, New Orleans horny funk, crossroad country Blues, and woodshed honky tonks...The openness & youthfulness of the music takes you back to a time when music was made for fun and not for monetary gain... - Kyle Palarino, BluesWax.com ...The “drops of honey in California” finely move between blues, swing, jazz, and atmosphere flashes of soul. All this mixed with music and joy... - Michele Manzotti, Il Popolo del Blues (Firenze, IT), Ilpopolodeblues.com ...An amalgam of blues, jug band sounds, vintage jazz, rock-n-roll, and classy R&B

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Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Bye Bye Baby

Self Produced
2023

buy

Soft Spot (Deluxe)

Self Produced
2023

buy

Soul Tub!

Tub Tone Records
2008

buy

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