The Derringers
About
The Derringers are a San Diego-based band playing good time Blues, Boogie and early Rock n Roll music.
Genre
Blues
Boogie
Band Members
Fred Kokaska (vocals, guitar)
Barbara Kokaska (Vocals)
Barry Farrar (vocals, drums)
Jim Guerin (Keyboards)
Victor Franklin (bass)
Hometown
San Diego, CA
FRED KOKASKA
Guitar & Vocals
Fred has been performing in the San Diego area since the mid-1980's, founding and fronting his band "Bare Bones" for 29 years. His biggest musical influences include T-Bone Walker, Freddie King, Eric Clapton, and Billy Gibbons.
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BARBARA KOKASKA
Vocals & Harmonica
Barbara has been performing on stages across Southern California since she was 16. For 10 years she fronted "Funky Pox", a 7-piece band playing the best of funk and Motown. Her important musical influences include Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Eva Cassidy, and Stevie Nicks.
Victor Franklin
Bass
Victor Franklin, is a San Diego transplant, born and raised in the deep south. Victor’s musical background spans over 45 years, including 36 years of professional stage experience with the Electric Bass in various local bands, in and out of the San Diego area. Victor’s seasoned touch using the various popping, thumping and strumming techniques on bass, along with a pleasant baritone singing voice, make up the low end of The Derringers’ unique renditions.
Jim Guerin
Keys
His blues resume in San Diego includes several years playing with Fuzzy and the Bluesmen in the 2000’s, and a decade later with the popular 145th Street Band, led by Steve Bulgur on harp. Jim is the featured pianist on the group’s live recording “Pure Mud”. Today he plays jazz and R&B every Wednesday at Jack & Giulio’s in Old Town, with Janet Hammer on vocals, and performs twice a month with his quintet at Madame Bonnie’s in the Gaslamp, with Andrea Lorraine on vocals. He also plays on occasion with Latin ensembles on occasion at Cafe Sevilla, including Malamana.
Jim plays blues piano only on days that the sun rises in the east.
BARRY FARRAR
Drums & Background Vocals
A versatile south land pro for over 25 years, he has played all styles of music. Barry studied at the Dick Grove School of Music under Joe Porcaro. Barry has freelanced with various artists including Lamont Johnson, Graham Nash, Barbara Morrison and Burt Bacharach. His musical credits include producing radio and TV spots for local production companies. A complete percussionist Barry plays all hand drums as well as the drum set.
Song List
Ain't no Sunshine
Almost
Angel from Montgomery
Burning Love
Cissy Strut
Crosscut Saw
Drowning in Sea of Love
Flip, Flop and Fly
Game of Love
Gimmie One Reason
Hey Bartender
How Blue Can You Get
I'd Rather go Blind
Johnny B Goode
Little by Little
Little Sister
Love me like a Man
Mary had a lamb
Mary Jane Last Dance
Messin' with the Kid
Move it on Over
Mustang Sally
RESPECT
Rhyannan
Route 66
Tina Neena Nu
Too Many Drivers
Valerie
Wee, wee Hours
What you want me to do
You Know I'm No Good
Bill Withers
Blues Brothers
Bonnie Raitt
Elvis
Meters
Albert King
Eva Cassidy
Joe Turner
Santana/Branch
Tracy Chapman
Floyd Dixon
BB King
Etta James
Chuck Berry
Junior Wells
Elvis
Bonnie Raitt
Buddy Guy
Tom Petty
Junior Wells
Hank Williams
The Commitments
Aretha Franklin
Fleetwood Mac
Bobby Troup
Slim Harpo
Lightening Hopkins
Amy Winehouse
Chuck Berry
Jimmy Reed
Amy Winehouse