C.C. RYDER EXPRESS is a band that believes in the highest quality of service, music and entertainment. We know that once it’s all said and done, your wedding reception, the party or the event, people will remember the fun and enjoyment they had while at YOUR special event.
As a band “C.C. RYDER EXPRESS” has played with or backed up many of the stars from yesteryear. They have played concerts, club dates, corporate parties, weddings and private functions for many years. This is a band that has been in many different type of situations and have successfully entertained all who have heard this band.
“C.C. RYDER EXPRESS” consists of:
Bobby Van Rooy:
Manager - Lead Vocals, Tenor & Alto Sax, Clarinet, Flute, Congas
Bobby was a music major with a full scholarship to the University of Reno, which he won, in the Reno Jazz Festival at age nineteen. Turned pro at eighteen and shortly after that he hit the road and played in bands that worked with such acts as, Sonny & Cher, Don Ho, Burt Bacharach, Ohio Players, Minnie Ripperton, Nancy Wilson, Dione Warwick, Sam Buterra, The Osmonds and for three years he played with The Righteous Brothers. His experience as a performer is hard to beat, especially knowing that he’s honed his teeth on lounges of Vegas, Tahoe, Reno & Atlantic City, etc. During the day Bobby has been associated with helping music educators in Arizona in product knowledge and doing clinician demonstrations.
Tony Lugo:
Leader - Lead Guitar, Back-Up Vocals.
Tony (nicknamed “The Flying Hawaiian”) is definitely an entertainer to watch. Tony also hit the road at an early age becoming a seasoned veteran who can still tear it up!! You have to see it to believe it, when he does his tribute to “Jimmy Hendrix”. You would think it was “Jimmy Hendrix” out there. Having cut his teeth on the rock and R & B of the sixties and having served the armed forces in Vietnam Tony does it all. Tony does things with his guitar, that I’ve never seen any guitarist do. Today Tony is superintendent of commercial properties. You’ve never seen a guitarist entertain you until you’ve seen Tony!
Bob Crispin:
Bari, Tenor, Alto Sax, Flute & Drums
Bob is a transplant from Canada whose talents are numerous. Bob has toured the USA & Canada in his earlier adult years. He is also the horn arranger for the “C.C.R.E.”. Bob was a Music Educator for the Mesa School District at Stapley Junior High School. He is in high demand when it comes to the honor band jazz festivals and concert band festivals as a Judicature and as a speaker and mentor for other music educators. Bob was Assistant Principal at Red Mountain HS. Bob was awarded “Teacher of the Year” award at Stapley JH School in 1999. Bob accepted the position as Principal of Carson JHS in Mesa School District. By his second year as Principal, Bob was named Principal of the year in the Mesa USD. Bob now serves as the new principal of the brand new high school Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies.
Charlene Tarango:
Lead Vocalist
A native of Connecticut, Charlene embarked on her singing career by competing in jazz/chorus competitions and later went on to win multiple area and state vocal competitions. Charlene has worked with Danny Adams, a highly accredited vocal coach to top recording artist CeCe Peniston. Charlene has had many hours in the recording studio per request of her peers. Her latest project was lead and background vocal tracks on Invincible Recording Artist, David Lewis‘ album, which is rapidly gaining popularity throughout Europe. She has been performing live for 10 years plus, including opening on the stage for James Belushi in Chandler, Arizona in March of 2004. Charlene is the top female vocalist in Arizona who not only has the vocal power, but emotional attributes to be a certified entertainer and has the instinct to follow her feelings and emotions on stage, to get the best results from her audience.
Lucinda Chatfield,
Lead Vocalist & Harmonica Player
Lucinda is a well seasoned performer/singer/musician. The moment she hits stage she is right on the money. Lucinda just finished 12 years with The Righteous Brothers and spent the last couple of years doing her own band in Las Vegas and L.A. CA for a while. Lucinda is an endorse for Lee Oskar Harmonica’s. Recently she moved back to Arizona and has been singing and performing with C.C. RYDER. Here are some of Lucinda’s credits: Vocals for rap song in movie, "Dr Giggles". Harmonica for "Network Music" in San Diego, aired on various TV shows. Vocals for "K-Earth Oldies Show", Greek Theater, for Bobby Helms, Ed Townsend and Little Eva. Back-up vocals, percussion, and harmonica for John Brown. Opened for Greg Walker at My Place, Santa Monica. Did Back-up vocals and alto sax for James McNichol. Opened for "James Brown" at Universal Amphitheater. Did vocals, harmonica, and alto sax for Lanny Ray and the Strangers. Opened for Canned Heat at Music Machine, Santa Monica.
Jimmy Hughens:
Tenor & Alto Sax, Flute, Guitar, Vocals
Jim is an avid sportsman and is as passionate about that as he is about his music. He’s certainly paid his dues as the rest of the guys in the band. Jim was with a popular local group called “WARSA”, who specialized in original “SKA” music. Jim is not only a graduate of NAU and an accomplished musician, but is also a fine music educator himself at Hillcrest M.S. in the Deer Valley District. Jim has been the Jazz Band Director for the N.A.U. jazz band this past summer. Jimmy is a trip to watch when he gets a chance to shine vocally.
Mike Gaches:
Trumpet & Flugel Horn
Mike (nick named steel lips) is an incredible player with incredible endurance. Recently Mike got to play with Maynard Ferguson and that’s something he said he wouldn’t forget. Being the only trumpet player in the group, Mike has the ability to hit the high-end notes even after a four-hour gig. Mike is in high demand with a lot of the local big band groups when C.C.R.E. is not performing. Mike is also a high tech man with Intel.
Curt Brodsky:
Keyboards & Vocals
Curt hails from Philadelphia where he started playing piano at age seven, taking many years of classical training. After graduating Penn State with a degree in education, he studied jazz improvisation at the Granoff School of Music under the direction of Jack Ebbert. He played with various jazz and commercial groups on the East Coast club and party circuit. In the 1980’s, one of his main gigs was playing piano and keyboards at the prestigious Congressional Country Club outside of Washington DC. He also has written and produced both commercials and original tunes. Curt moved to the Phoenix area in 1993 appearing at various venues from 5-star resorts to intimate coffeehouses.
Fred Alwag:
Drums & Vocals
Fred is a Southern California native, having started in big bands such as LAVC & LACC. His roots are in R&B and quite the Latin Jazz player as well. Fred has played and recorded with some of the top-notch performers in this country from; Bobby Sherman, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Donna Summer, Laura Brannigan, OXO, Willie Nelson, Spencer Davis, Chuck Berry, Roger Miller, Tonio K, Juice Newton. Fred has recorded with some of these same acts including Billy Vera & The Beaters, Smoky Robinson, Stacie Lattisar & the Four Tops. Fred is no stranger to television appearances and worked with venues like The Tonight Show, American Bandstand, Solid Gold, Dance Fever, Top of The Pops, Live At The Palace & Pop And Rockers. Fred knows how to lay it down!
Jeff Van Dusen:
Bass, Clarinet, Back up Vocals
Jeff is a graduate of the Crane School of Music with a Master’s Degree in Music Education. Jeff has been a music educator for 25 yrs. in the public school systems, 20 of which have been in the Gilbert District at Gilbert JH. Besides being an accomplished bassist Jeff was the principle Clarinetist with the San Marcos Symphony for 4 years, and also toured with the San Marcos Woodwind Quintet. Jeff has been playing Bass and Keyboards around the valley with some of the top local bands since 1980
Mark L. Witt:
Trombone/Harmonica/Arranger
Mark is not only an exceptional Trombonist but an outstanding Harmonica player as well. Mark has done quite a few arrangements for C.C. RYDER EXPRESS and has some worthy accomplishments that should be well noted. Mark played with a well-known band called the Swingtips, and is an accredited music educator who has taught jazz soloists for MENC as well. Mark teaches Trombone privately and received awards from “Golden Key Honor Society”, “National Honor Society”, and “Dean’s Honor Roll, AZ State University”, To top it off Mark has served in the armed forces in the 76th Army band and was also the second Trombonist in the Stockton Symphony in California for a spell. Currently Mark is the band director in the Creighton school district.
BANDS C.C. RYDER HAS PERFORMED WITH:
- Three Dog Night
- Brenton Wood
- Gary Pucket & The Union Gap
- The Rembrandts
- Ray Peterson
- Wolf Man Jack
- Beatle Mania
- Martha Reeves & The Vandels
- Kool & The Gang
- Johnny Rivers
- Steppin’ Wolf
- The Association
- The Righteous Brothers
- Ray Price
- Chubby Checker
- Sonny Turner (The Platters)
- Eric Burdon (The Animals)
- The Pointer Sisters
- The 5th Dimension
- David Foster w/Josh Groban
