From Herb Alpert’s Vibrato to The JAZZIZ Brazilian Music Issue And More
A Year To Remember For Ryan DeHues brought opportunity and recognition to rekindle a dream.
by Scott Adams
In August 2023, we discovered Ryan DeHues’s album Private Parlour (Bossa Vibes) during a new music search for our streaming station’s weekly programming meeting. “A Bossa Nova crooner?”, asked one staffer. So, we decided to add ‘The Actress’ to our daily playlists.
It didn’t take long for Brazilian jazz fans to take notice. So we extended an invitation to Ryan to be part of 2024’s Rhythm & Romance Music Showcase.
That’s when JAZZIZ picked up on Ryan’s unique sound, subsequently inviting Ryan to be the opening track on its sampler disc for its Spring 2024 issue dedicated to Brazil, Rio Rhythm.
The rest of the year has been a whirlwind as a growing fan base continues to connect with Ryan’s irresistible, one-of-a-kind style. He describes it as “a 60’s jet set cocktail, perfect for Modern Lounge. You’ll hear Bossa, jazz, pop, and elements of soft, club groove/electronica, laced tastefully with acoustic instruments.”
Frankly, these are stories we love to tell, so we caught up with Ryan DeHues to catch up with his latest adventures. You can too, Enjoy!
A Year To Remember For Ryan DeHues
Being chosen by JAZZIZ for their Spring issue on Brazilian music is thrilling! And it was your voice that opened the issue’s stellar CD sampler, too. Did you have to pinch yourself?
Being a traditional pop crooner, and lover of bossa, lounge jazz, etc., I never thought that I would be included in JAZZIZ Magazine. It was a real surprise! I’m very honored to be on the JAZZIZ CD, along with folks like Eliane Elias, Antonio Adolfo, Dave Grusin, and Lee Ritenour.
I owe many thanks to my collaborators, Maxence & Elisabeth Jutel of Double Françoise, in France, and musician/producer Dave Siebels in Burbank, CA.
That JAZZIZ moment created momentum and new opportunities, too. How did your year unfold after that?
I started performing regularly this year in Detroit and Grand Rapids, my home state of Michigan, in various high-end lounge/club venues. This led up to my trip out west where I just returned from.
A Year To Remember For Ryan DeHues
Your appearance at Herb Alpert’s Jazz Club in Los Angeles is still fresh. Tell me the story from beginning to end. It almost started on the wrong note, right?
This was my third time, performing at Herb Alpert’s Vibrato in Bel Air, CA. It’s a gorgeous venue.
The last time I was there, I had to do my sound check while British pop legend Seal had his film crew setting everything for his concert the following night. A lot of big names perform on that stage.
I’ve always had nice crowds at Vibrato. This time was no exception. The place was packed. There were some very accomplished people in the crowd. It made me a little nervous.
For example, my friend, legendary singer/actor, Pat Boone was in the front row and center. He just happened to bring along someone who’s in the hall of fame for Hollywood agents, Milt Suchin. It’s surreal, performing for the man who represented so many of my idols, such as Jack Jones, Mel Torme, Vikki Carr, and then others like Don Rickles (I opened for him in Vegas when I was 17), Phyllis Diller, etc.
I was also excited to see Eden Alpert in the audience. She is Alpert’s daughter and manages the club. I was singing a bossa version of Maroon 5’s ‘Sunday Morning’, which is transcribed from Brazilian artist, Maria Martins’ version.
That’s when I noticed Eden. She was feeling the groove on that one. I was able to sing in her direction while she danced a bit and filmed a little with her phone.
An All-Star Band
As I mentioned earlier, the club was packed, they loved every number. We had a couple of encores. I’m always backed by keyboardist, L.A. producer, and recording artist Dave Siebels whenever I perform there.
Hussain Jiffry is my bassist. He’s a star bassist for Herb Alpert. He won a Grammy with him. Kevin Winard, the finest, was my percussionist that evening. Finally, I was joined by L.A. pop vocalist, Lisa Crawley, from New Zealand (as seen in Rolling Stone and everywhere else in L.A.), and stellar trumpeter, Tony Guerrero.
We did a couple of Herb Alpert tunes that I hope to share in January.
The Show Must Go On
It’s hard to believe after such a flawless, exciting show, I almost didn’t take the stage. I was feeling so nauseated right before going on. It had been happening to me for a couple of days.
Unfortunately, I did a little too much sun worshipping and became quite sun-sick. The nausea would come and go for a few days. It’s very hard to sing when you’re in that kind of state.
So, minutes before walking out, I had some of the crew pray with me, I told myself I’d be protected, the nausea lifted, and I hit the stage. No intermission, 90 minutes straight.
Here’s the crazy thing, the feeling of being sick came back right after the last song ended. Perhaps it was divine help. There was a lot on the line. I couldn’t cancel.
Sounds:
I hear that you may have some news for fans who could not make it to your L.A. gig. You had it recorded to video, right?
Yes, that’s correct. I always like to roll film, when performing at Vibrato. There is some post editing/mixing to be done and it should all be finished after the first of the year.
Even as we speak, I’m rushing the editing process with the videographer. I’m hoping to have a couple of tunes to share with your readers at the time of this interview’s release.
A Year To Remember For Ryan DeHues
Any truth to the rumor that you’re stepping into the voice-over scene as part of your hobby?
Yes, that might happen. A very accomplished writer was at my performance and may have some pages for me to read from their upcoming book of short stories.
I had the pleasure of meeting well-known writer/author, Jim Krueger at my show. He is a former creative director at Marvel Comics, a writer for iconic DC comics works, etc. He has released an exciting book of spooky Christmas short stories entitled, “The Frankincense Monster and Other Creepy Christmas Stories.” At Barnes & Noble here.
Anyway, I had a great brunch the next day with Jim at the Beverly Garland near Studio City. That place is a late 60s bossa lounge paradise. I’m going to get to do a recording or two for his new short stories book, for a potential Audible version that’s in the works.
What’s on your wish list for the New Year? Special Venues? Collaborations? New recordings?
I very much hope to perform in two or three major markets that I haven’t had the pleasure of doing yet. I’m talking with folks about New York, Paris, etc. Collaboration is the keyword.
There is an artist or two stateside that I would love to work with. I would also like to release a track or two once again with French bossa-pop duo, Double Françoise if they’ll have me back. I’m so thrilled with the result of our first outing together.
Ryan DeHues
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A Year To Remember For Ryan DeHues
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