The stars are here, each with a unique journey to their stardom! Learn more about the individual musicians here in the 805 making the music we love. 

If you’ve already visited the landing page of this site, you’re up to date on our next event taking place May 12, 2022 at The Grape Jazz House, 2733 East Main Street, Ventura, CA, 7-10 p.m. On this night, the show opens with Professor Fundi Legohn’s Ventura College Jazz Ensemble. More on Legohn is included in that event announcement. 

After the first set, The House Arrest Band takes to the stage to back a line-up of six vocalists many of whom have served as lead vocalists for House Arrest at some point in the band’s history. Further down on this page, learn more about the individual musicians of House Arrest starting with Saxophonist, Dennis Akesson.  For the May 12, 2022 event, here are the six vocalists House Arrest will back to help raise funds for the Ventura College Jazz Ensemble.

Colene Riffo

Colene would call herself a “late bloomer” in music as she started after she’d grown into adulthood, married had children, built a career as a Disney cartoonist. She’d watched her mom, singer Martha B, through the years singing before big bands and with small combos and often as a child accompanied Martha on the road. Eventually, Colene decided it might just be in her blood to be on stage singing and decided to trade bring her mom’s roadie for a chance to join Martha on stage. Well, it didn’t take long for their duo act to gain popularity and take off! Today Martha, who performed well into her 90s, has transitioned to now surely be singing in heavens choir and Colene honors her legacy by carrying on in her own right, with her own style heavily influenced by Martha B. 

Annette Dinardo has been a professional vocalist for 37 years. When asked to explain her inspirations, he responds “I’m inspired by all good music that touches my heart and great vocalists who’s lives tell stories of perseverance and doing so through song …. sing sing singing through it all like Ella, Sarah Vaughn, Whitney Houston, Aretha, Linda Ronstadt and so many others I’ve been blessed to listen to have done!”

While Annette’s main genre is R&B, she welcomes opportunities to perform jazz and rock as has been known to include a bit of country flavor too with a few Patsy Cline tunes in her repertoire. Through her years of performing throughout the 805 and beyond, Annette has rubbed shoulders with some of the best including Donzell Davis (drums) Ray Pernel (guitar) Dave Tolegian (sax) Jim Calire (keys/bass formally of America) and the late great Jack Ryland (3 Dog Night bass player) Floyd Sneed (3 Dog night drummer) Richard Torrence (wrote Rio De Janeiro Blue).

At this time, Annette keeps herself as busy as she possible as a freelance vocalist and  given the rich network she’s established over the nearly four decades of performing, she gets the calls and gladly responds to share her art.

In terms of training, Annette has been a student of various skilled vocal coaches through the years. She has also taught voice as well. She explains how important it is always remain teachable, even for the teacher and so she does just that, always open to new experiences and projects in music.

Bekkie Ramirez is a graduate of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) and of the Dick Grove School of Music. She’s performed and recorded with many greats including Burt Bacharach, Joe Cocker, Jeffrey Osborne and Children of the World Choir; and has held it down as lead singer for several well established, high profile bands including Six Hot Live, The House Arrest Band, Los Amigos, Sidetracs, CTO Soul and more.

In addition to live performance and recording, Bekkie has joined in to help create original productions as well. She served as performer and co-songwriter for Pure Ground, an originals band out of Los Angeles – 1997 to 2002.  Laurence Rosenthal / Songwriter (Guitar)

Ms. Bekkie Ramirez, as is clear, is an all around, well rounded artist. She currently resides in Ventura, CA, and stays busy as a freelance artist.

Renee Perez started singing at age of 7 in church and launched her professional career around the age of 18. When asked to describe her inspirations, she readily responds, “It was my father, Ralph Perez who they called “Gordy-the-Twister”. She explains, he was a drummer, vocalist with the Perez Brothers Band known for the recordings – Truly, Truly Yours and Dream a Little Dream. Her father and uncles and the church were her early inspirations. Then, later on, as she continued to develop her own style, she was drawn to the sounds of Teena Marie and Chaka Khan.

Renee, aka “Red” says she enjoys performing all genres of music from old school R&B to classic rock and pop, 590 40 and a little bit of Latin although she points out, despite being of Latina heritage, she does not speak Spanish.  

As Renee goes through the list of artists she’s worked with through the years, clearly she knows her way around in the music industry. She’s  opened up for several high profile headliners including Tierra ,El Chicano, Malo, Rose Royce, Snoop Dogg, Howard Hewitt, LTD and WAR. She’s been called upon to help create many “hooks” for many rappers and  bands and truly enjoys the variety of work. She’s served as lead vocalist for P’zazz, Positive Source, Brotherhood and The Company Band, and is called to perform with the Latin All Stars on occasion. She notes that the Latin All Stars typically is comprised of musicians from some of the other Bands she works with. Hence the name “All Stars”. It’s a project put together by Ray Carrion.

Renee’s regular band, starting in 2014, is SANGRIA including herself as a leaf female vocalist, guitarist Mauricio Ramirez,  percussion Martin Ortega/percussions, Mr. Louie Chavez/drums, Reuben/piano, Jesse Moreno and Henry Corral/horns and at present, they are recruiting for a bass player. And if that’s not already enough to keep a girl busy, Renee’s second band is “Sound of Frequency” where she serves as lead vocalist as well. 

In a reflective moment, Renee tells how life’s challenges have driven her music. She explains, “Through my struggles with domestic violence, my husband being murdered, being a single mom of three young boys now 12, 9 and 8, experiencing two months homelessness, losing my dad in March of 21, getting in a bad car accident August of 21 which landed me in a wheelchair for almost two and a half months, and then losing my sister in October 21 … I would have to say that God and music has been my strength to make it through all of that.. “

Johnny Jacinto (details in process). Until then, we’ll suffice to say he’s great. He’s been singing for decades. He’s multi-talented with with not only skill as a vocalist but seasoned as a saxophonist and guitarist as well. Until transitioning to pursue a solo, free-lance music career, Johnny was one of the longest standing members of the House Arrest Band, going way back with his good friend and band Director, John Grimaldo.

Freda Ramey has been singing since a child and like so many singers, began by singing in church, From there, she joined theater projects and groups throughout grade school, high school and college.  She’s enjoyed working in a variety of bands and genres including rock, Motown, jazz, R and B and big band jazz. She’s worked with small, intimate combos as well as large, hard hitting groups like The House Arrest Band where she currently serves as lead vocalist. 

Freda coms from a musical family. She’s the grand-daughter of the late, great Eugene Ramey who’s found on numerous recordings of the 40s and 50s. Click here for more on “Gene”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Ramey

Aside from the music of her church upbringing and her famous grandpa, Freda says she’s been inspired by Sarah Vaughn, Nina Simone, Whitney Houston, Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin, Betty Carter, Gregory Porter, Billie Holiday and so many more. Still, the most inspiring for her is the legacy of her  grandfather, Eugene Ramey who performed and recorded with many jazz greats – Count Basie, Jay McShann, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, Lena Horn and so many more. Singing has always been a hobby but certainly one she takes seriously. As she’s put it, it’s not what she does but is who she is. It’s key to her grounding and well-being

Members of The House Arrest Band:

 

 

Dennis Akesson brings decades of experience in music to the House Arrest Band as one of typically three in the horn section.  He got his start at age 10 on flute, inspired by his dad’s music collection of songs from the 40s and 50s and even as he hells pack the dance floor with r and b/funk lines of today, that nostalgic feel can certainly be heard, especially when he takes the spotlight with mesmerizing sax solos on alto or tenor. Dennis is one of the longest term and beloved members of the House Arrest Band, now at 19 years strong with the group.

 

 

 

 

 Jeremy Kirsch, Bassist: Jeremy says he “cut his teeth” with bands in the Bay Area including, Soul Tree and Electric Company. His influences include Jimmy Hendrix, SunRa and Sly Stone to name a few. He describes his approach to music as scientific. This makes sense when you know of his other craft which is building stringed instruments. With his self ascribed scientific precision approach, Kirsch adds a clear, solid, steady element of pulse and beat to the House Arrest Band Sound – the kind of rhythm the rest of the band can rely on to be there to guide as they lose themselves in the “zone” of chords and melody. It’s that bottom beat paired with a solid drummer that makes R & B what it is. When it’s right, it’s called being “in the pocket”. Jeremy is known in the group as a bit of a jokester, never short of a quick slap-stick one liner or comeback keeping the work environment light and playful. When asked for his musical bio including a list of notables he’s performed with, he promptly returned with a list of famous musicians he hasn’t performed with – typical Jeremy.

 

Meet Ed Weiss, Trombonist: Ed with numerous TV appearances to his credit – including his work on ABC’s Holy  Moly Reality Show, has been at it for nearly 50 years since age 7. It all started when he got a look at PBS’s Preservation Hall New Orleans Jazz and fell in love with the trombone. Trombone has always been his instrument. He’s played it with a variety of bands in a variety of styles from small swing combos to big bands to salsa and now R & B with The House Arrest Band. Always a free agent, he performs as much as he can, always on call. When asked to describe his passion for performing music, he says, “It’s a labor of love where we hope to make money. We do what we do, whatever shape it takes. I enjoy it, all styles, no matter what shape it takes. Ed is a veteran musician on call through agents and the Hollywood musicians union Local 47. On top of all that, he’s known to be a dapper dresser with quite the stage presence!

 

Meet Ray Cordova, Keyboardist: Ray’s resume tells the story. He’s performed and continues to perform with an extensive “A list” of groups including El Chicano, Bloodstone, The Drifters, Al Wilson, Side Effect, The Chantel’s, Johnny and Santo, The Notations, The Medallions, The Dubs, The Lovelites, Aalon, The Platters, The Winstons, J.J. Jackson, The Coasters, Hollywood Flames, Jewel Atkins, The Marveletts, The Band Europa (Santana Tribute Band with former Santana members), East L. A. Allstars compiled of band members from War, El Chicano, Tierra, Thee Midniters, Malo, JD Hall & The Barry White Symphony.   Raymond has shared the stage with great acts such as Ray Charles, James Brown, War, The Beach Boys, The Righteous Brothers, Rose Royce, Heatwave, Lakeside, The Dazz Band, The Manhattans, GQ, Billy Paul, Malo, Tierra, Brenton Wood, Denise Williams, and Thee Midniters. This list alone tells the story. He brings more than 50 years of experience to any stage and has a song repertoire a mile long. Clearly, Ray is a “go to” guy for many groups! To book him for a gig, gotta do it early because he stays busy and continues to perform nationwide

John Grimaldo, Director, Manager and Lead Guitarist of House Arrest. He’s been at it for more than fifty years and would be the first to admit that any work he does or has ever done outside of music is just to support his passion for performing music. Inspired by his grandfather, John started in Pacoima, California as a young child and has never stopped. For a deeper understanding of John, check out the recent VC Star Newspaper article where he shares details of his music story. Link: https://vcreporter.com/2021/11/i-do-it-to-keep-people-happy-manager-musician-john-grimaldo-discusses-playing-under-house-arrest/

Here’s Vocalist, Colene Riffo:. Colene is the daughter of the late, great singer, Martha Buckley many known as “Martha B”. Well into her 90s, Martha performed with small jazz combos and big bands. She had a style of her own but if there is a comparison, it would be something akin to a Billie Holiday feel. It’s apparent to those who had the opportunity to enjoy Martha’s singing that the apple falls close to the tree. Colene, who’s style has been described as sweetly rhythmic, poetic and story-telling, is known throughout the County to perform with some of the areas top brass in jazz including  pro’s like the highly accomplished bassist Granville Young, guitarist Steve Johnson, Allan Walker, sax and trumpeter, Gary Bivona to name a few. 

Currently, catch Colene as a regular at Larsen’s Restaurant on the 3rd Saturday evenings counting from January 19, 2022, accompanied by Koji Ono on the baby grand and Granville Young on bass.  

Here’s Freda Ramey, Vocalist: My roots are blues, gospel, jazz and theatre. I grew up knee deep in music under a grandfather, Bassist Eugene Ramey, who in his time toured the world performing with many greats such as Sonny Rollins, Count Basie, Lena Horne, Charlie Parker and can be heard as bassist on many recordings of the era. 

Joining The House Arrest Band meant developing the kind of vocal power it takes to belt out over a R&B horn section and thumping rhythms of a dance band. Melding that together with an existing bluesy, jazzy flavor makes for a good marriage of genres. The ensemble result has been described as some of the most power packing classic R&B performance around.–

Meet Cesar Garcia: Cesar is a master musician playing saxophone and flute and is a vocalist as well. He delivers with a certain soulful precision and clearly enjoys his time on stage presenting any range of genres from old school classics, to jazz to pop and gospel.

 

Cesar has many years of performance under his belt since early beginnings as a young musician coming out of Fresno, California and from there, working throughout Los Angeles County with various bands and

as a free agent. His extensive resume includes performing with many top name groups including El Chicano, The Midnighters and so many more.

Additionally, Cesar is a prolific songwriter and recording artist with several songs to his credit. To date, he has created four original CDs and enjoys supporting others in recording productions as well. Samples may be heard on his website (link at the end of this summary). Demonstrating how audience-catching Cesar’s sound can be, a recent post of Cesar singing and blowing his sax to an old school tune posted on Tik-Toc went viral, leaving new fans begging for more! That one post spanned a reach of nearly 330,000 with more than 2,000 positive comments and more than 20,000 “love-its”!  Hear his catalog of music at his website – https://cesargarciamusic.com/ .  Then hop on over to Tik-Tok and check out his performance! Tik-Tok account is titled 805Live https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdSr5CQy/ 

 

Martin Rojo, Drums & Percussions: When it comes to rhythm, Rojo is the man. He’s been at it for more than 45 years and continues to perform with several groups within and outside of the 805 market. He explains that his inspiration comes from life’s rhythm and the energy of other musicians. His genres are R & B, Funk, Country and Latin. Martin’s musical influences include the works of David Garibaldi, Steve Sith, Jeff Porcaro and his closes friend, Sal Rodriguez of the band War. Currently, Rojo performs with several 805 based bands including House Arrest, caliente, Juano and Friends, What the Funk, Grupo Monitor, Los Amigos del Valle, Grupo Los Dennix and Grupo Carisma. As you can see from this list, he’s always busy.