Dr Jim & The Blue Tonic is a jazz quartet with a classic blues-oriented feel. Our goal is to produce a clean, raw sound that allows the nuances of each instrument to come through.
Steve Arnold, Saxophone:
- Steve studied at The Berklee College of Music, and has played in musical situations ranging from rock to r&b to blues and jazz. Last year, he completed a well received CD of Christmas standards. Steve's influences include Plas Johnson, who he continues to study under.
Jeff Bacon, Drums:
- Jeff has been performing as a drummer in Los Angeles for more than two decades. Jeff continues to study under his friend and musical mentor, Jeff Hamilton.
Geoff Rakness, Bass:
- Geoff received a music degree from UCLA, and has appeared in clubs throughout Los Angeles playing original rock, swing and jazz. Geoff is a talented arranger, and is the band's resident chart maker.
Craig Relyea, Guitar:
- Craig grew up playing in Top 40 bands before discovering the virtues of the blues, and more recently finding his way to jazz. Craig studied classical guitar at UCLA under Theodore Norman and has written numerous original compositions.
We only play live. The band doesn't really spend any time rehearsing without an audience. That's what makes music exciting: the collaboration and invention that happens at one particular moment, and never happens the same exact way again. Playing in front of an audience has a lot to do with that.
Our influences include Cannonball Adderly, Kenny Burrell, Stanley Turrentine, Ray Brown, Plas Johnson, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Joe Pass, Jeff Hamilton, Larry Koonse and many others.
Our gigs often involve stairs, so our goal is to use the least amount of equipment we can get away with.
"With music, the difference between a pretender and a player is one focuses on competition while the other focuses on collaboration."
- Anonymous Blue Tonic
