House Bands

EXPO
(1972-present)

EXPO was born on December 31, 1972 at a New Year’s Eve gig where they played for a group of young Chinatown adolescents who called themselves the "Rickshaw Runners." Little did the band know that it would begin a long musical journey that would have them performing at various street fairs, weddings, and parties from San Francisco to Reno and San Jose to Sacramento. Though the band took a break in the 1980s (to start their families and raise children), EXPO has performed their hearts out for the thousands of music lovers who are craving that mix of soulful love songs and Latin rock for more than twelve years now. One of EXPO’s goals is to be an example for young Asian Americans, and to show them that they can be involved in activities that are fun, creative, and does not exemplify the stereotypical role models.

Still one of the few bands to feature a three-piece horn section, EXPO is made up of original members, Donna Ong-Kimura, Mike Leong, Les Yim, Doug Lee, and Phil Wong. They are now joined by Haley Wong, Gerald Villa, Mike Lem, Johannes Mager, and Tiffany Carrico. Let EXPO bring back those old school love songs of the 1960s and 1970s, and let the memories flow!

For more information about EXPO, go to their website at www.expoband.com.

EXPO band members performing tonight (* indicates a founding member):
Tiffany Carrico (trumpet)
*Doug Lee (percussion, vocals)
Mike Lem (lead guitar)
*Mike Leong (lead vocals)
Johannis Mager (trombone)
*Donna Ong-Kimura (keyboards, vocals)
Gerald Villa (bass guitar, vocals)
Haley Joe Wong (tenor saxophone, flute)
*Phil Wong (percussion)
*Les Yim (drums)

With special guest appearances from members of honoree band, Persuasions/Sand/City Lights/CP Salt/Earwaves:

David Edward DeLuca (bass guitar)
Hugh Kan Dong (guitar)
Albert Fong (tenor saxophone)
Robert J. Rockmore (vocals)
William Robert Tamayo (keyboards)
Haley Joe Wong (tenor saxophone)
Gary W. Wood (trumpet)

Intrigue evolved from tonight’s honoree band, the Intrigues. After regrouping to stage a benefit dance for two friends in 1992, Intrigues performed in various venues, and in various forms and configurations of the original band. Core members Jeff Chan, Carey Huang, and Ronnie Lowe were always involved as the representative members of Intrigues, including Derrick Tong from Abacus, who replaced the original bass player since the first reunion. In 1998, with the untimely passing of original drummer John Benson, Jr., Intrigues dropped the “s” in his honor and continued with the music, presently appearing as an eight-piece band featuring, for the first time, two female lead vocalists.

The current Intrigue lineup includes core members, Jeff on vocals and keyboards, Carey on keyboards, Ronnie on lead and rhythm guitar, and Derrick on bass guitar. Rounding off the band are the latest additions to Intrigue: the outstanding singing talents of Cris Dumandan and Lani Parker on lead vocals; Dean Revelo, drummer extraordinaire and lead vocals; and Jeff’s younger brother who grew up listening and learning from many of those being honored tonight, Nathan Chan on percussion and background vocals.

For any questions regarding Intrigue or to inquire about their musical services, contact Jeff Chan at jChans_Encounter@yahoo.com or Carey Huang at Carlin1922@yahoo.com.

Intrigue band members performing tonight:
(*indicates core member)

*Jeffrey Alan Chan (keyboards, vocals)
Nathan Chan (congas, background vocals)
Cris Dumandan (lead vocals)
*Carey Mark Huang (keyboards, background vocals)
*Ronald J. Lowe, Jr. (guitar)
Lani Parker (lead vocals)
Dean Revelo (drums, lead vocals)
*Derrick Stuart Tong (drums)

With special guest appearances from members of honoree bands, Abacus and Intrigues

Abacus
Darryl Murray Chan (trumpet)
Jeffrey Alan Chan (keyboards, vocals)
Kingman Kasey Chan (trumpet)
Ben Hoey (congas, timbales)
Carey Mark Huang (trumpet)
Paul Edward Louie (keyboards)
Ronald J. Lowe, Jr. (guitar)
Derrick Stuart Tong (bass guitar)
Danny Yee (rhythm guitar)

Intrigues
Jeffrey Alan Chan (keyboards, vocals)
Ben Hoey (congas, timbales)
Carey Mark Huang (keyboards, background vocals)
Korte Lee (alto saxophone)
Ronald J. Lowe, Jr. (guitar)
Jerry William Lum (trumpet)
Glen Okumura (vocals, percussion)
Winsley “Kato” Yee (tenor saxophone)

Jest Jammin’ is one of tonight's honoree bands. They began as a band in 1968 and officially performed as Jest Jammin’ when they expanded in 1971. The band’s name describes its philosophy: jammin' with friends for fun and fellowship, not for ego or professional gain. They are friends first and musicians second, jammin' so that friends can party and hang out.

Rooted and deeply connected to the San Francisco Bay Area Asian American community, Jest Jammin’ has played for hundreds of community fundraisers and civic events for more than three and a half decades—non-stop. It was the “house band” for Cameron House in the 1970s and 1980s, and has played for the San Francisco Chinese New Year Community Street Fair every year since its inception in 1991. Other community-based organizations for whom they have performed include On Lok, Self Help for the Elderly, Chinatown Community Development Center, and the Chinese Historical Society of America.

For more information about Jest Jammin', go to their website at www.jestjammin.com.

Jest Jammin' members performing tonight (* indicates a founding core member):

Carlton Aihara (keyboards)
Eva Chew (vocals)
Jo Ellen Chew (vocals)
*Norman Glen Fong (vocals, brass)
Leonard Fujita (saxophone)
Gordon Jeong (keyboards)
William John Keast (trumpet)
*Bradford P. Lum (bass guitar)
Victor Y. Ng (guitar)
*Edmond Toy (drums)
Philip Wong (congas, percussion)
Jan Yonemoto (saxophone)