SongVault Artist Profile

Mesa Blue was formed in 1995, in San Diego, California, by singer/songwriter/guitarist Chris Del Priore and drummer/percussionist Jeff Stasny, both formerly with the San Diego band, Ryebabies. They were soon joined by bassist/guitarist/arranger Omar Ramirez, who has performed with Nathan East and Gunnar Biggs. The three played their acoustic blend of original jazz, rock, and pop at San Diego coffeehouses. They began recording their first CD, "Once During A Blue Moon," in 1996, which they completed and self-released in 1997.

Continuing to play in San Diego wine bars and coffeehouses, they added progressively more musical diversity as well as selected cover tunes to their repertoire, and expanded their reach into other local performance venues. In 1999, Mesa Blue completed a second self-released CD, "Cactus Jazz," and its more mainstream pop/jazz sound contributed to a couple of songs receiving local radio play on Sets 102.1 (now KPRI).

The band went to work on its third CD, "Looking Down the Road," in 2002, and released it in August 2004. Mesa Blue's by-now signature musical blend is fully intact and infectious. You will also hear more electric guitar on "Looking" than the previous two CD releases. For song samples on Mesa Blue's Web site (www.mesablue.com ). For purchases go to www.cdbaby.com/mesablue