C C Ryder Express

The beauty of it all is that all of the members of "C.C. Ryder" are either fathers, husbands and productive citizens, or all of the above mentioned. The span of their music touches from the 40's through the 90's. Their real niche however is from the 60's through the mid 70's when the horn bands came out such as; "Blood, Sweat & Tears", "Chicago Transit Authority", "Earth, Wind & Fire", "Average White Band", "Buddy Miles", "Disco", etc. We can easily shift gears and add some of the 90's west coast swing.

As a band "C.C. Ryder Express" has played with or backed up many of the stars from yesteryear. They play club dates, corporate parties, weddings, concerts and private functions.

"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 time scholarship to the University of Reno, which he won in the Reno Jazz Festival at age nineteen. He decided to go on the road and played in bands that worked with such acts as Sonny & Cher, Don Ho, Burt Bacharach, Ohio Players, Minnie Ripperton, Nancy Wilson, Englebert Humperdinck, Dionne Warwick, Sam Buterra, The Osmonds, and for three years, played with the Righteous Brothers. Today Bobby is an Educational Rep for "Milano's Music" store.

Tony Lugo - Leader - Lead Guitar, Back-Up Vocals.

Tony (nicknamed "The Flying Hawaiian") is definitely an entertainer worth watching. Tony also hit the road at an early age becoming a seasoned veteran who can still tear it up!!! You really have to see it to believe it when he does his tribute to "Jimmy Hendrix". You'd think the man was "Jimmy Hendrix" himself. Having cut his teeth on the Rock and R&B of the sixties, and having served in the armed forces in Vietnam, this man does it all. Today, he is also the superintendent of Marcay Homes.

Curt Brodsky - Piano & Keyboards

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. Greg Bezdek - Drums & Vocals.

Originally from Chicago, Greg grew up playing in rock bands and big band music. Greg is no stranger to the music scene having played in various parts of the USA. Today Greg is in high demand with a lot of the local big bands and funk bands. Greg is currently a sales rep for Micah for their major accounts.

Jeff Van Dusen - Bass, Lead 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.

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. Ryder Express". 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. Recently Bob accepted the position as Principal of Carson JHS in Mesa School District.

Donna Eastwood - Vocals.

Donna studied classical and opera for ten years at Blue Mountain Community College. Was elected for Oregon All State Choir, achieved a degree in Medical Secretarial Science and sang in the swing choir and the chorale. Donna received the Female Vocalist of the Year award in 1988. Donna has toured the Red Lion circuit and County fairs and events with different bands, has opened up for the ?Drifters? sang the National Anthem throughout the Pacific Northwest and Nevada for PRCA Rodeos and won the Jimmy Dean Country Showdown for Oregon. Recently we saw Donna performing in N. Scottdale and we liked what we heard and saw. Donna is one of our lovelier additions; we love her spark, enthusiasm, sassiness and singing capabilities. Mike Gaches - Trumpet, Flugel Horn.

Mike (nicknamed "Steel Lips") is an incredible player with amazing endurance. Being the only trumpet player in the group, Mike has the uncanny ability to hit the high-end notes even after a four hour gig. Mike is also in high demand with a lot of the local big band groups and the lead trumpet player for the Scottsdale Community Jazz Band when C.C. Ryder Express is not performing. Mike is also a high tech man with Intel.

Jim Hughens - Lead & Back up vocals - Bari, Tenor, Alto & Soprano Sax.

Jim although the youngest of the bunch, he's certainly paid his dues. 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 will be the Jazz Band Director for the N.A.U. jazz band this summer.

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 at Walker Butte MS in the Florence school district.

View C C Ryder Express Song List - Click Here