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Johnny Ramos

Johnny Ramos was raised in Vallejo by his mother, a professional singer named Billie Loo. That must be why he can’t resist singing the occasional standard when he gets together with a group collectively called Johnny & the “B” Goods. Whether he’s playing guitar or keyboards, it’s always a night of jazz verging on funk when these guys get together.

Leading the band in experience is Anthony Atherton on saxophone. As a teenager he played with Jimi Hendrix in Seattle, and toured under the direction of Quincy Jones in a band called International Love. In a career spanning 45 years he was on several recordings in the sixties. While in The Masheen Company he opened for Fats Domino, Natalie Cole and other superstars. His driving style of playing saxophone, and extensive repertoire, is supported by Saul Parker on drums and James Prothro on bass. They both also grew up watching their parents in musical action. Saul’s father, Paul Parker, taught him how to play most rhythm section instruments. James, another Vallejo native, learned from his mother, Zeta Sodon, both while attending church and at home.

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