Little Le Roy & Le Blue Reys

The band has had several previous names, most recently for about 18 months, “Rock Bottom Blues Band,” preceded by “Laughing Horse.” It started life as “Jd & The Challengers.” which originated back in 2008, formed by the renowned painter and Taos character, Jd Challenger (drums), in which Steve, Rick, and Brad first got together. When Jd needed to turn his attention back to painting, Steve, Rick and Danny Thurmer (guitars) formed Laughing Horse, soon bringing Brad back in on bass. When Danny moved on, Sambhu, who had worked with Rick in another band, signed up on guitar. Jimmy Farmer, on drums, completed the picture. In November 2010, when the band was in the studio recording its first CD, “The Gift Of The Blues”, they decided that “RBB” wasn’t going to work, because several other bands use that name. After much deliberation the band chose “Little LeRoy & Le Blue Reys,” partly in homage to its hero, Little Walter.

The band has performed at numerous venues as of January 25, 2011, including, in Taos, at Alley Cantina, Sagebrush Inn, Olgilvies’ Bar & Grille, Shadows Lounge, Taos Plaza Live, Vivac Winery, Seco Pearl, Bull Of The Woods, the Taos Mountain Motorcycle Rally, and the TCA; other NM venues include Angel Fire Resort, and, In Albuquerque, the band has played Zinc’s Winebar, the Savoy Bar & Grill, the Monte Vista Firehouse, and Powdrell’s BBQ Blues Festival; in Alamosa, Colorado, at St. Ives Club and Spuddy’s Cantina.

STEVEN CASTO (harmonica, vocals) has been a professional musician for 35 years. Steve was frequently on the stages of San Francisco Bay Area blues clubs, and has appeared with Greg Allman and Paul Butterfield, and has recorded with Mississippi John Tucker.

RICK DE STEFANO (keyboards, vocals) performs frequently in northern New Mexico as a solo pianist, accompanist for singers, and in groups. Rick was in the swing band, Swing Daddies, and the rock band, Hot House, and on their CD, Hot House. He was a leader of the popular Afterburner Blues Band, and the principal pianist for the Taos Singers’ Showcase, and was previously in the jazz trio, Take Note, and the roots blues band, Chicago James. His own CD, Another Hard Year In Taos features all original songs. Rick has also composed original music for professional video products from IPC Video, including IPC's logo music, and the theme song, scoring, and incidental music for original radio and stage plays. Rick hosts the weekly regional-music radio show, Five Corners, on KTAO (FM 101.9).

BRAD MARTIN (bass, vocals) is a nationally renowned leather artist who also loves the blues and R&B. He has played bass for many years in R&B and country bands in his native North Carolina and in Taos.

SAMBHU (guitars) has performed in R&B, jazz, blues, and folk bands for many years in Taos, including long stints with the Euphonics, Afterburner Blues Band, and duo with Bob Aldo. He performed on the world stage in the early 70's as a member of the major-label recording act, Quintessence, a London-based, psychedelic band whose hits included “Cosmic Surfer.” His CD, String Theory, features his original compositions.

JIMMY FARMER (drums) is a veteran drummer, having played with many local bands, most recently a four-year stint with the Mike Addington trio in weekly shows at the Mother Lode in Red River.