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 The
Band
With nearly a century of combined performing experience in venues from
Seattle to the Mexican Border, the hallmark of The Usual Suspects sound is
solid vocal harmonies, backed by a tight horn assemble, overlaid on a rock solid beat that
keeps your feet moving. Specializing in danceable songs, their repertoire covers the spectrum
of rock, pop, funk, oldies, disco, new wave, fusion, rockabilly, metal and Motown, and spans
the generations of rock and roll from the fifties to today. Locally, the band has a large
following and has graced many stages throughout SLO and Santa Barbara Counties!
 Ben
Black – Lead Vocals, Guitar, Harmony Vocals
What do you get when you combine: an uncanny knack for remembering lyrics, diverse musical
influences ranging from Louis Armstrong, Cheap Trick and Counting Crows; and then mix in 23
years singing and performing on the Central Coast? You wind up with Ben Black, front man for
the classic rock and roll band The Usual Suspects.
 Rob
O’Sullivan – Drums, Percussion
Rob’s enthusiasm for drumming started with Big Band Jazz. He has played at various jazz
festivals including the Monterey and Greeley Jazz Festivals. Rob has laid down the backbeat
with various big band, jazz combos, rock & fusion groups. He now lays down the foundation for
the sound that makes The Usual Suspects a Central Coast favorite.
 Eric
Stever – Saxophone, Piano, Harmony Vocals
An Arroyo Grande Local since 1972 his exploits in the music field are wide ranging from The
San Francisco Blues Festival, The North Sea Jazz festival in Amsterdam and The Montreux
Jazz festival in Switzerland. He enjoys sitting in with his dad’s local Traditional Jazz bands
The Night Hawks and The Basin Street Regulars. He currently teaches all saxes, Flute, Piano, Bass
Guitar and Guitar for the Jazz Labs in Arroyo Grande.
Justin
Payne
– Bass, Guitar
Justin has spent all of his life in the beautiful central coast discovering and sharing music, beginning with listening to every genre of music imaginable. In addition to being the
back bone of The Usual Suspect’s rhythm section, justin is an accomplished tuba, bass clarinet
and percussionist. Be sure to shout out his name when you see him on stage.
 Horn Section – Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, Harmony Vocals
Filling out the band is The Usual Suspect’s horn section. Including Tom Secor on trombone, Lyle Stubson on trumpet and Ashley Black on sax, this rich and tight ensemble brings a versatile sound opening many avenues to the band’s repertoire.
Paula Richardson – Vocals, Percussion
Having studied music at the University of Maryland and with widespread experience
performing with various bands, Paula brings her strong vocal talents to enhance and expand
the avenues of the band's musical repertoire. Adding solid percussion, she is a great asset to
the sound of TUS.
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