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Key System Rhythm Ramblers

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The Key System Rhythm Ramblers are a Vintage Jazz, Blues, Swing and Ragtime combo featuring Vocals, Strings, Piano, Bass and Reeds. Our  infectious rhythms will keep your toes tapping, feet moving and faces smiling! We play as Trio up to Sextet and perform regularly to enthusiastic audiences around the San Francisco Bay Area. Performing everything from bawdy blues, smooth swing, heart-throbbing ballads to Ragtime from a by-gone era.

KSRR derive their name from the Key System Railway that was the public transportation service that linked San Francisco and Oakland/Eastbay prior to the Bay Bridge. Neighbors’ Virginia and Lisa found that the original Key System ran right in front of their houses in Oakland! Lovers of history and users of public transportation, they felt it was a great way pay homage to the Key System.

On Piano, harkening from Saint Louis, Virginia Tichenor is a Ragtime and Early Jazz powerhouse. She plays in many bands at various venues, private events and clubs throughout the country. She is an exciting musician and fantastic person- we are lucky to have her as a Keystone of the band.

Jeff Green started playing Plectrum Banjo and guitar at age 10. Like Virginia, Jeff plays regularly with many bands in the greater Bay Area. His solid rhythm and creative chord soloing keep him in much demand on strings. Jeff is a great vocalist with a deep love of Fats Waller and Andy Razaf- you will hear his sweet crooning of this week’s earworm.Vocalist/Uke/Banjo/Tenor/guitarist/bandleader and dancer- Lisa Gonick has worn many musical hats. She was co-leader SwingThing Jazz band and lead Lisa Gonick and Damfino and helps run Zenith Jazz Band. Lisa finds her best musical fulfillment playing with Key System. Her passion for Early/Vintage Jazz, Blues and Swing shows in her performance. As a Lindy hopper/Swing/Balboa dancer, she knows what it takes to keep dancers on the floor and listeners of all ages smiling.On Bass we have the marvelous Marty Eggers! He's a Bay Area "A Lister" on Bass, Tuba and Piano. We are super lucky to have him holding down and driving the beat. You will see and hear him in many bands around the country.Last, but never least, Dapper Don Neely holds down the front line with Reeds, Vocals and, if you're lucky..the saw! Band leader extrodinaire, he is an vintage Jazz legend. His Royal Society Jazz Orchestra and Don Neely Swingtet are simply aces for listening and dancing.We look forward to seeing you on the dance floor!

Booking:Lisa Gonick 510-541-7681 or email: lisagonick@gmail.com orkeySystemRhythmRamblers@gmail.com

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     Where to see us?​

  • We play every Second Monday from 5:30 - 9pm at American Legion Hall, located at 500 Magnolia Ave in Larkspur, CA

  •  Annually at Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival  West Coast Ragtime Festival in Rancho Cordova CA

  • Various Private and public events throughout the Bay Area: The Speakeasy/Boxcar Theater, Caffe Chiave, The Tasting House, Live in The Castro etc...

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