Caracas was a popular Latin Jazz band based in Eugene, Oregon. Active Years: 1979-1984 Original Members Mario Bressanutti Tony Proveaux Randy Deutcher Nathan Waddell Members Mario Bressanutti Paul Schimming (trumpet) Dennis Caffey (Drums) Mark Schneider (bass) Juan Lara (congas) Curtis Kraft (congas) Sal Figueroa (percussion) Additional musicians who also shared presentations of “Caracas” include: Lynn Baker (sax), […]
Featured Bands & Musicians
Searchin’ Soul blues band
The Searchin’ Soul blues band was a popular Eugene-based blues band between 1966 and 1972, and was fronted by guitarist/vocalist, Dave Acker. The band played Blues covers by B.B. King, Willie Dixon, Paul Butterfield, and Little Walter plus their own originals. They had a unique Northwest Blues sound that helped establish the Blues movement in Eugene, Oregon and […]
Leon Smith and the Basics
Leon Smith and the Basics (1960-1966) Genre: Rockabilly Base Location: Eugene, Oregon Best known for the top 40’s hit song, “Little 40 Ford”. The song, written by Wayne Marshall, was recorded in early 1959 in a Eugene basement studio with an earlier version of the band, The Orbit Rockers. It was released on a local […]
Chevelles
The Chevelles started in 1962, in Eugene, Oregon and dissolved in 1964. Genre: Garage Rock Members: Skip Biggs (drums) also played in The Moguls Greg Nance (guitar) also played in The Moguls
Los Xplorers
Active Years: 1980-1982 Genre: Blues-Rock Base Location: Eugene, Oregon Original Members 1980-1981: John Barley – Guitar (also played in Nads) Henry Cooper – Guitar Louis Samora – Drums (also played in Foamlords, The Flapjacks, The Jackals, and The Rats with Oregon legends Fred and Toody Cole) Fred Kellogg – Bass Members 1981-1982: John Barley – […]
Dominions
The Dominions (1964-1967) Genre: Garage rock/punk band Members: Gene Garrett (guitar, lead vocals) Ron Gordon (bass) Frank Nachtman (lead guitar) also played with Small Crowd, and H.B. and The Checkmates Ken Paxton (organ, vocals) also played with Small Crowd John Peters (saxophone) Larry Rodman (drums) Ron Techel (guitar, vocals) The Dominions were formed in 1964 when I […]
Lon Guitarski
The Lon Guitarski Group was a popular jazz fusion band of that era! Active Years: Late 1970s – Genre: Original instrumental jazz fusion Home Base: Eugene, Oregon Members Don Latarski – Guitarist & Co-principal Songwriter Tom Grote – Drums Mark Schneider -Bass Jack Buddeke – Keyboards & Co-principal Songwriter Jeff Kirsch – Woodwinds & Percussion Jeff Homan – Saxophones Lynn […]
Sires
The Sires (1964-1969) Genre: Garage Rock Base Location: Eugene, OR The Sires were teenagers from Eugene and nearby Springfield, Oregon, forming at Sheldon High School in 1964 and breaking up in 1969. Members: Marty Berg – Vocals Mike Briggs – Rhythm Guitar, Bass Ron Craig – Lead Guitar (also played in The Tempters) Robert Grebb – Drums […]