West Coast Resonators

 Blues and Americana Music for your Body and Soul

 The Band Members: 

Jim Bobisuthi:

1. Where do you want to say you're from?

"La Grange, Illinois..."

2. When did you start playing musical instruments?

"While I took some piano lessons as a child, I didn't really start playing an instrument until I picked up the harmonica in 1967 at the age of 17. I have subsequently learned enough guitar to let me figure out what key everyone is playing in (most of the time)".

3. How long have you been performing? Who have you played with?

"The most famous person I have played with is Dan Fogelberg when we were both in college. This was informally in a coffeehouse at the University of Illinois. I have also appeared on a CD with Alice Stuart (Crazy With The Blues). I am presently a member of the Previously Lost Dogs (folk/rock) and the West Coast Resonators (blues). In addition I have played with the Djunkyard Gypsies (Django style swing) at the World Music Festival in Grass Valley. I have played with Blue Shoes, the Kathleen Lane Band and various other combinations of friends. Beyond that I attend the Strawberry Music Festival and play with many skilled players in the campgrounds."

4. What musical influences do you have?

"I have very broad musical tastes but my playing style has not been directly influenced by any well known performer. I have been strongly influenced by Lynn Douglas, the fiddler in the Previously Lost Dogs. The Previously Lost Dogs are a folk/rock group doing mostly original material with a strong melodic emphasis."

5. Anything special you want me to include?

"You might mention that I provide the "technical" support for the band and provide both the live sound and recording through Rocky Hearth Studios. I have recorded and mixed CDs for the West Coast Resonators, Blue Shoes, Ambience, the Previously Lost Dogs and others."

Reid Bourdet:

1. Where are you from?

"Los Altos/Cupertino Area. I'm a native Californian. But I've lived in Ben Lomond for over 25 years now."

2. When did you start playing musical instruments? How long have you been performing?

"I always wanted a guitar as a kid, but my parents told me I'd have to earn the money for one. I earned enough to buy an old National for $20 when I was 14 and took to playing it immediately. Sold it back to the guy I bought it from for $15 when I got my next one. I've been playing the Gibson for over 30 years now."

3. What musical influences do you have?
"I grew up in the Bay Area, so was primarily influenced by who I saw at the Fillmore, Winterland or the Avalon Ballroom. Those places were all great places to hear great music. As far as the Blues, Albert King, BB King, Freddie King, John Mayall and Mike Bloomfield all have influenced me. On the Rock side, I guess I liked the psychedelic stuff--Grateful Dead, Big Brother & the Holding Co, Quicksilver Messenger Service, etc Lately, I've gotten into Jazz- Miles Davis, John Coltrane and a host of others."

Michael Dean:

1. Where is your hometown?

"The boat sank...."

Ancient History...

The West Coast Resonators  began with a group of musicians that came together for a weekly jam held at Java Bob's coffeehouse in Ben Lomond, California.

Java Bob's hosted a group called Chef of the Future on Thursday evenings.   With Tony Anthony and Mark MacDonald on Guitar, Bluzar on Bass, Steve Metz on Drums and the Internationally-renowned Vocalist and Saw player Mr. Hedge.   As that group broke up,  Mark and two of the back-up musicians got together and elected to keep the Thursday evening performance slot going with an open Blues Jam. The Jam evolved, other players became regulars. From that,  the West Coast Resonators formed in August of 1996.

Chef of the Future

L-R:  Tony, Steve, Blue, Mr. Hedge, Mark  

The  West Coast Resonators at Rainbow's End in Boulder Creek, Ca:

L-R:  Reid, Mark, Jim, Mike

Java Bob's closed, and we ended up at Rainbow's End (now the Tree House Cafe) in Boulder Creek, Ca.  Same night, same jam.  The room had better acoustics, which let us try out Jim's new DAT recorder.  The music was still focused on traditional Delta and Chicago-style Blues, but with some focus on ensemble playing. 

 L-R: Mike, Mark, Jim and Reid

We performed original tunes composed by Mark and Reid, and arrangements of Delta and Chicago-Style Blues Songs from such bluesmen as Robert Johnson (Walkin Blues), John Lee Hooker (Boogie Chillun), Billy Ekstein and Earl Hines (Jelly Jelly Blues) and The Reverend Gary Davis (Death Don't Have no Mercy).  The first CD was "The Search for Mr. Ed's Posse" This CD has live recordings from the many performances at Rainbow's End.  

Two other CDs are available also, Breakneck Speed and Practice Makes Perfect. They generally are available for donations at our shows,