Ron Kobayashi

The RON KOBAYASHI TRIO has been performing together for more than 25 years. Each musician brings with him years of diverse musical experiences. Pianist and leader Ron Kobayashi has performed with Mel Torme, Margaret Whiting, Kenny Burrell, Peter White, Tom Scott and Peter Frampton. He was a featured performer on the “Johnny Yune” television show, the TVONE series “Life After” with actress Jackee', the 2002 Jerry Lewis Telethon and on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather. In 1992, Ron performed for President Bill Clinton.

Bassist and composer Baba Elefante was voted one of the nation’s top bass players in a Bass Player Magazine poll. He also performed on the 1995 Universal movie “The Hunted,” as well as with jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove, saxophonists Tom Scott and Justo Almario, rocker Frank Stallone and “Kansas” lead vocalist John Elefante.

Drummer Steve Dixon has done numerous recording sessions both as a drummer and percussionist. He has worked with “War” harmonica legend Lee Oskar, saxophonists Tom Scott and Richie Cole, trombonist Bill Watrous, vocalist Tierney Sutton and Warner Brothers recording artists “The Untouchables.”

The RON KOBAYASHI TRIO has played numerous music festivals and venues throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Florida and New York, sharing the stage with such notable artists as: David Benoit, Eddie Palmieri, Cirque Du Soleil, Strunz and Farah and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. The Trio has been the house band for the Annual Hollywood Diversity Awards where such stars as Chris Rock, Vince Vaughn and George Lopez were honored.

The Los Angeles Times says the trio are “superb jazz stylists.” The RON KOBAYASHI TRIO’S latest CD “No Preservatives,” (Carpet Cat Records) was described as a “five star session from three of the Southland’s finest…” by the LA Jazz Scene. The Orange County Register wrote: “If you define jazz, at least partly, as spontaneity, emotional expression and communication among musicians, you won’t find anything better than “No Preservatives.”

The trio’s CD's have received airplay around the world, reaching the “Top 10 Playlist” on KAWC in Arizona. Several cuts from the disc were featured in the motion picture “Sam and Janet” starring Gary Busey. In 1996, the trio was voted “Best Jazz Group in Orange County” by readers of the Orange County Weekly Magazine, and nominated in 2012 for “Best Jazz” at the Orange County Music Awards.