The Fabulous Blue Notes

 

 

            The Fabulous Blue Notes have been a modular experiment since its early beginnings.  Depending on venue it is a five piece and can expand to an eleven-piece ensemble, including a full horn section, keyboard, and female back-up singers.  The band specializes in a wide range of infectious dance music, including rock funk, jump blues, and boogie. 

 

The term blue note was coined in the early 50’s for talented recording session players.  The band members are a talented group of musicians and by adding the adjective fabulous the blue notes became the operative word to describe the band.  In 1965 Lonney and Rick formed The Midnights at the tender age of 13 performing Beatles and other songs from what was called the British Invasion period of the 1960’s.  The Midnights performed at junior high dances, private parties, formal Christmas parties and the local Country Club, later playing for restaurant openings, high school dances and other events.  After high school Rick pursued his career in professional sports and Lonney moved to Colorado continuing his musical career by perfecting his blues guitar skills as a nightclub headliner at various local venues throughout Colorado and Texas.

 

Rick and Lonney were reunited in 1990 and along with other talented musicians formed The Fabulous Blue Notes.  They have collectively been the opening act for Elvin Bishop, Lee Presson and the Nails, T. Graham Brown, Slim Man, The Drifters, The Coasters, Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders, and many more.  The band plays a number of outdoor events during the summer months and are also available for private parties, outdoor concerts, car shows, and festivals.  They are without a doubt one of the finest dance and party bands in the valley.  If you are interested in making your next event an event to remember call the Fabulous Blue Notes, you’ll be glad you did.

 

The Players Biographies

 

Bass & backup vocals: Armando Osuna. Mando joined the band in 1992 and was influenced by James Jamerson of Motown, Donald “Duck” Dunn from Sax Records and a member of Booker T and the MG’s, studio ace Joe Osborn, Tommy Cogbill who played on most of Aretha Franklin’s hits and Rocco Prestia of Tower of Power.  Mando’s main instrument is a custom made, 5 string Mike Lull Fender style bass with Genz-Benz amps and cabinets when combined with his talent, Mando is recognized as one of the valleys premier bass players.

 

Baritone, tenor, alto sax & flute: Art Mataka, a.k.a. The King is a professional saxophonist and multi-instrument player from the Central Valley. His wide range experience includes concerts, recordings and ongoing freelance work when not playing with The Fabulous Blue Notes. He studied jazz theory and improvisation from 1977-1978 under the direction of jazz educator Jim Grantham (Berkeley College of Music) at Keystone Korner a noted jazz club.

 

Drums:  The Fabulous Blue Notes use several drummers from the Central Valley including Keith Erwin, Paul Villarreal, and Adrian Uribe.

 

Other Players and Friends: Depending on the event the Fabulous Blue Notes may have on stage keyboardists Dale Himes or Greg Langlois and female back-up vocalist singers The Songbirds