PIANIST AND LEADER RON KOBAYASHI has performed with Mel Torme, Margaret Whiting, Herb Jeffries, Peter Frampton, Kenny Burrell, Eric Marienthal, Tim Weisberg, Dave Koz and Peter White. He was a featured performer on the international "Johnny Yune" television show, the 2002 Jerry Lewis Telethon and on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather. In 1992, Ron performed for President Bill Clinton. And in 2005, Ron was honored by the Asian Business Association of Orange County as "Role Model and Inspiration for Asians in the Field of Music."
BASSIST AND COMPOSER BABA ELEFANTE was voted one of the nation's top bass players in a Bass Player Magazine poll. He played on the 1995 Universal motion picture "The Hunted. Baba has performed with jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove, saxophonists Pete Christlieb and Justo Almario, vocalist Michael Sweet, Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz 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, jazz saxophonist Richie Cole, trombonist Bill Watrous, vocalist Tierney Sutton and Warner Brothers recording artists "The Untouchables."
THE RON KOBAYASHI TRIO has played numerous music festivals including the Playboy Jazz Festival in Pasadena, San Bernardino Music Festival, The Orange County Art and Jazz Festival, the Dana Point Jazz Festival, the Yorba Linda Arts Festival, the Orange Street Fair and at the Colorado Belle in Laughlin, Nevada. The Trio has worked in Orlando, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada and shared the stage with such notable artists as: David Benoit, Eddie Palmieri, Cirque Du Soleil, Strunz and Farah and The Fabulous Thunderbirds.
THE TRIO is currently the house band for the Annual Hollywood Diversity Awards where such stars as Chris Rock, Vince Vaughn and the cast of NBCs West Wing have been honored.
The Los Angeles Times says the Trio are "superb jazz stylists." The RON KOBAYASHI TRIO CD "No Preservatives" (Carpet Cat Records) was described as a "five star session from three of the Southlands finest" by the LA Jazz Scene. The Orange County Register wrote, "If you define jazz as spontaneity, emotional expression and communication among musicians, you won't find anything better than No Preservatives." The CD is currently being played on radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada and made the "Top 10" Playlist on KAWC in Arizona. In 1996, the trio was voted "Best Jazz Group in Orange County" by readers of the Orange County Weekly.
Congratulations on your great article in the Register. It was well-written and informative! All good wishes and hope to work with you in the near future.
Great article on OC Register! Congrats! Your day seems like my week! Somebody should make a reality TV of you...A Day in a Life of Ron Kobayashi! Good thing a fast food burrito keeps you going all day and night!
Hello Ron, Saw your story in the Register today. Cool. My wife asked me to ask you if you could do piano lessons for her. I asked her if she is serious and she said yes, so if you are taking on new students let me know.
well actually would you be willing to let us use one of your tracks... for free? I mean we are student film so we have no money, but we'd credit you properly in the credits.
