Biography

Beso Negro has an all-star lineup of internationally experienced musicians who have brought drive and passion to Gypsy Rock. The love for tradition has collided with a modern sensibility and has transformed the genre into a vibrant new beast. Darker, faster, more danceable, more blues, more Gypsy, Beso Negro's indelible fingerprint brings Jazz Manouche to a new generation and to the 21st century.

Javier Jimenez of Madrid adroitly conjures the ghost of Django with his phenomenal guitar playing. Adam Roach's vocals are singular, soulful and penetrating. Steve Gardner's fiddle playing is fluid and dark. Cheyenne's Bass playing locks with Ethan Turner's hard swinging drums, driving the rhythm and laying down the foundation. One night with Beso Negro and you will understand what is means to get the "Black Kiss".


MEMBERS

Adam Roach - GUITAR/VOCALS - studied guitar with Grammy winner Red Volkaert who is widely considered among the best living guitar players and with Dave Biller. He played for Country legend Dale Watson, Toured extensively throughout Europe and America and even did one tour of Iraq for the USO. He cut his teeth on the guitar while founding the Darktown Rounders. He has had multiple performances at the Grand Old Opry. Adam has been gifted with a voice that few people can believe comes from him, evoking a delta bluesman more than an Irishman from California. He sites Louis Armstrong as his personal messiah.

Javier Jimenez - GUITAR/VOCALS - left his home in Madrid, Spain to be part of Beso Negro. He studied at the Liceo L'aula, the Berkeley School of Music affiliate in Barcelona. His mentor was Manouche legend Diego Araoz of Baxtalo Drom. His phenomenal technique and style evoke the master, Django Rhienhardt.

Steve Gardner - VIOLIN - studied at San Francisco State University under Paul Yarbrough on the Viola and at The Aaron Copeland School of Music in New York under Danny Phillips. His current violin teacher is 2 time grammy winner Evan Price (Hot Club of San Francisco, Turtle Island String Quartet). Steve has been a guest performer with Grammy winners Blues Traveler at Red Rocks Amphitheater, The Popper Project with DJ Logic, Toured Europe and America with Country diva Danni Leigh, Performed and recorded with Counrty Blues outfit The Darktown Rounders. Steve has worked as a studio musician in the SF area for many years, including recording for Grammy winning producer Bobby Ozuna. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Roots Music Marin, a non profit folk music school. Steve has performed the National Anthem for the SF Giants 3 times. He has spent the last 10 years recording and performing in America and Europe with Culann's Hounds.

Cheyenne Young - UPRIGHT, ELECTRIC, and WASH-TUB BASS - was literally born on tour. He started playing Bass at age 9. His Father, Seminal folk rock Icon Jesse Colin Young from The YoungBloods, had him on stage playing gigs at 12 years old. At age 16, he attended the Bass Institute in Los Angeles. Cheyenne is an intuitive player with a warm natural feel.

Ethan Turner – Drummer/Producer - has played with some of the best Bay Area bands, including 20 Minute Loop, Chrome Johnson, The Jonny Keigwin Band, Soul Pie, Jesse Colin Young (The Youngbloods), and American Drag. He has also produced music by 20 Minute Loop, Chrome Johnson, Rusty Evans, Soul Pie, Taylor Brooks, Versus Them, and Lowell Levinger. Ethan has been fortunate to tour nationally and internationally with 20 Minute Loop, Jesse Colin Young, and American Drag. Ethan grew up in "the business" as his parents were both linked with such acts as Van Morrison, The Youngbloods, The Grateful Dead and folk duo Ian & Sylvia. He started playing bass at age 12 when his godfather, Jesse Colin Young, gave him his first 4 string. Bass was an introduction to musicianship, but ultimately the drum kit and music production would fuel his passion for music. Ethan joined Beso Negro soon after agreeing to produce their debut record and continues to tour and produce full time.