When is the last time you were at a club and heard a band play something you recognized? Something you caught yourself singing along with? Something that actually got you up and dancing and having a great time? Then you haven't seen The Essentials, one of the Sacramento area's hippest party bands.
The Essentials' musical menu has something for everyone, whether you like Motown, classic rock, pop, blues, disco, hip-hop, even country and swing. Lead singer Cathy Speck's vocal stylings are the perfect blend of power and soul, guitarist/singer Linda Duval can lay down tasty riffs and warm vocals, bassist Reggie Balino brings his funky and pocket playing, and drummer Stacey Sheston gets the whole sound off the ground with sizzling rhythm tracks that will rock you right out of your seat and onto the dance floor. It's like a snapshot of your CD collection. This band has all your favorites -- they don't call them The Essentials for nothing.
The members of The Essentials are all seasoned musical pros with extensive experience:
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Bassist Reggie Balino, a session bassist from Las Vegas and San Jose, has performed with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Peter Gabriel, Muruga Booker, and Toni Childs, played on the “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls” soundtrack and Wazabe Blue CD, and now he drives The Essentials with his funky and hip bass playing. |
| Drummer Stacey Sheston was a founding member of “Natalie Corttez & The Ultraviolets”, a multi-Sammie-winning band that was inducted into the “Sammies Hall of Fame”. |
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Linda Duval (guitar, vocals) started playing in her grandparents band when she was 9 years old, took third place in a national band contest in Switzerland, and is an award-winning lyricist. |
| Lead singer Cathy Speck is a vocal powerhouse, evoking flavors of Tina Turner and Chrissie Hynde, and has fronted several Sacramento bands. |
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Linda
and Cathy, songwriters well-known in the region for performing as “Duval
Speck”, have performed and been invited to such venues as The Palms, The
International House of Music, the Seattle ROCKERGRRL Music Conference, Oprah
Winfrey’s Oxygen Tank Tour, UC Davis Picnic Day, Luna’s Café, The UCD Chancellor’s
Awards Banquet, and Women’s Music Nite.
With Reggie and Stacey getting the sound off the ground with sizzling rhythm tracks that will rock you right out of your seat, and Cathy and Linda adding the finishing touches, this band has all the essentials covered. From the penthouse of the Los Angeles Radisson, to the resorts in Lake Tahoe, in dance clubs, wedding receptions and private parties, their live shows are full of life, the music is tight and dynamic, the vocals beautiful, powerful, and unique. If you're looking for a good time for anyone from 3 to 83, all you need are “The Essentials”!
Contact info:
For more information about Duval Speck, follow the links below, call (530)-756-8260, email Music@duvalspeck.com, or write
The Essentials
POB 501
Davis CA 96717
| Women's Music Nite
Photos by Kathryn Palmieri
Background courtesy of Background City