TheatreAddict.com - Bakersfield Drama Blog

If you ask most people what comes to mind at the mention of a barbershop quartet, usually the answer is a group of men sporting handlebar moustaches, white shirts, bow ties and a garter on their arm singing tunes from the early 1900’s.

To break this stereotype, today’s singers usually refer to the style as a cappella (which means without instrumental accompaniment.) Deep Treble, an a cappella group from Bakersfield, were featured on July 6 at The Marketplace for the Concerts by the Fountain program. With casual attire, modern song selections and a relaxed and accessible presentation, this group is anything but old-fashioned.

Usually clad in matching T-shirts, the group appeals to young audiences. However, the four (who are all in their 30’s) possess an extraordinary musical ability which transcends generational barriers, making them a hit with all ages.

Deep Treble’s trademark is the traditional tight blend of harmony punctuated by short solos from one of the group’s members. Doing their own arrangements and trading parts, keeps their sound fresh and unique.

The songs are varied from upbeat faith-based melodies such as “Screen Door,” to the contemporary song “Lion Sleeps Tonight,” to the rock tune “Dream On.” “Oildale,” one of their original compositions, is an amusing song about a young man and the girl—from a local area—he loves. There are even a few oldies, country, and patriotic numbers in their repertoire—something for everyone.

Danny, Chris, Brendon and Jason, who form Deep Treble, are all Bakersfield born and raised. They all have enjoyed singing for many years but performing wasn’t always part of their lives.

Chris and Danny Ruiz are twins and until Danny cut his hair short, were hard to tell apart. They began singing in choir at East High and were told they needed to perform in the solos concert. They were both reluctant but finally decided to do a rendition of “The Blue Brothers.” The performance was a huge success.

When they went to Bakersfield College, they joined the choir and formed a quartet. Later, when they were instructing at Bakersfield Stars Gymnastics, the brothers sang the national anthem before the gymnastic meets. It was such a treat! (My son was a student of theirs in the early 1990’s.)

Brendon, a Highland graduate, met the brothers at BC. He had sung in church before and thought the group might be fun. So, in 1992 they formed Deep Treble.

The group lost their bass singer in 1997 and started the search for a new one. Danny and Chris went to listen to Jason while he was on break at work. The brothers were blown away in that parking lot, but gave the usual response, “We’ll have to get back to you.” As they were driving away, they began conversing about the audition and realized that they might have made a huge mistake. There was no way they could let Jason get away. And the rest—as the say—is history. The four have been sharing their wonderful gift of music with audiences ever since.

The twins continue teaching at Stars. They love all types of sports especially baseball and water skiing. Chris has a “significant other” but Danny is single.

Brendon Helston, an ICU nurse, is married with four children. Between work and “dad duties” he doesn’t have a lot of spare time which makes his escape into music all that more special.

Jason Lee, who is married and the father of two, is a hemodialysis technician. He has fun spending time with his children and doing remodeling work on his home.

Although the four each have jobs which they dearly love, they do not hesitate to say that if they could meet their financial obligations, they would sing full-time. Music is their greatest joy and passion.

When asked what they liked most about the group, they responded, “Meeting new people, new places and going to neat areas.” They have performed at Dodger and Angel Stadiums, Las Vegas at Treasure Island, Cayucus for a July 4 celebration and San Antonio’s American Choral Director’s Festival on The Riverwalk.

Some of their more interesting gigs include singing at an ice hockey wedding ceremony and performing for James Avery, who played Phillip Banks on the television show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

Locally, they have been seen at the Kern County Fair, Seven Oaks Country Club, The Marketplace, the Street Fair and the grand re-opening of the Fox Theatre. Having also recorded the jingle for the Street Fair, they are huge supporters of their hometown.

Deep Treble has been featured at numerous private engagements and many holiday parties. Depending solely on word-of-mouth advertisement, they find their gigs come in waves with Christmastime being their busiest time of year. For information regarding having Deep Treble perform at a party or group function call (661)-394-8816.

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Margie Custer has been a southwest resident for the past 27 years. As a writer she has been a regular contributor to the Northwest Voice, has had articles printed in The Bakersfield Californian and Bakersfield Magazine, and has been a winner in the Writer’s Weekly 24-hour Short Story Contest. She is a member of the Writers of Kern and enjoys writing all different kinds of fiction, poetry, and plays.