MEET THE BAND

Skooter, Bass
Ekko, Drums
Rone, Vocals
Guy, Guitar

WHO WE ARE

 

Baba Jenkins’ goal is to inject music into your soul. Uplifting heartbreaking the raw emotions and reality of life. Alternative, Rock, R&B, Blues, Soul, and Country; the net of influences is cast wide.

We all share a common interest and that is to make music that WE CAN FEEL. We believe if we can feel it, you can feel it. Some of our music carries a strong message, some of it is just fun. We hope you like it.

WHY THE NAME

 

Rone came up with the idea. “Baba” means father in many languages around the world. It is also one of the first utterances babies can say.

Bobo Jenkins was a little-known American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist out of Detroit who was active in the 1950s.

Since all four band members are fathers, and the music is rooted in the blues, he combined the two and created Baba Jenkins.

The name represents who we are individually, as well as the respect we have for a style of music that originated in the Old South long ago, eventually making its way to the Midwest, and then throughout the world.

Guy, Guitarist

Guy Keefer

Guitarist

Born in Chicago

Favorite Foods: Lobster, Sushi, Soup Dumplings, Korean Fried Chicken and Beer (ChiMac!), Pizza

Bands: Zeppelin, Rage, Biggie, Muddy, Snoop, Jimi, Beatles, Jeff Beck, Bob Marley, Mahavishnu Orchestra.

Movies: House of Flying Daggers, Birdcage, 007, IP Man, Hero, Forrest Gump, The Transporter, Moonlight.

Favorite Artists: Monet, Calder, Rothko, Rodin, Da Vinci

Go-To Munchie: Doritos

Favorite Color: Yellow

Hobbies: Art, Fashion, Stocks, Crypto

Interesting Facts:

Taekwondo 2 Dan.
Scared of Spiders.
I was an altar boy.
I am nocturnal.

Four Things That People Say After They Know Me:

You’re like Peter Pan.
Are you a Vampire?
The only thing average about you is your height.
You ARE a nice guy.

Rone, Vocals

Rone Worthen

Vocals

Born in Van Nuys, raised in Palmdale.
Favorite Foods: Spaghetti, chicken and waffles, eggs, tacos, burritos, sea food, sushi, burger and fries.
Favorite Bands: The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Left Lane Cruiser, Eagles, Foo Fighters, Rage against the machine, The Black Keys, Alabama Shakes.
Favorite Movies: Django Unchained, Posse, The Matrix, Hulk.
Favorite Artists: Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Drake, Justin Bieber.
Go-To Munchie: Reese’s pieces, Watermelon, orange, tuna, Imitation crab.
Favorite Colors: Red, blue, black and green
Hobbies: Fitness, football, basketball, hiking, gaming, poker.

Interesting Facts:
I'm in love with genuine love.
I’m very protective.
Things that people say after they know me:
I’m very social but at the same time I’m guarded.
I seem like a genuine guy who means well.
I’m good looking.
I’m protective.
I’m caring.
I’m difficult to read at times.
I’m stubborn.

Skooter, Bassist

Kerwin "Skooter" Williams

Bassist

Born in Los Angeles, Ca.
Favorite Instruments: Bass, Guitar, Drums, Keyboards
Favorite Foods: Chinese food, Thai food, Mexican food, Seafood, anything with Turkey.
Favorite Movies: Scarface, Good Fellas, Paid In Full, Boyz N The Hood, Friday
Favorite Sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball
Favorite Teams: Rams, Lakers, Dodgers
Favorite Music: Funk & Soul
Favorite Colors: Blue, Black, Green, Brown, Tan
Favorite Snack: Movie Popcorn, Ice Cream, Cookies
Most Beautiful Place Ever Toured: Puerto Rico, Cuba, Antigua Caribbean
Most Dangerous Place Ever Toured: Iraq & Afghanistan
Hobbies: Playing Dominoes, reading a good book, watching sports, and lounging at the beach

Interesting Facts:
I’m a night owl.
I hate flying.
I’ve traveled the world.
I’m always on time.
I love shoes.

Partial Bucket List:
Produce at least 3 albums in one year.
Own a Bentley & a Porsche.
Visit every football stadium in the U.S.
Perform at the O2 Arena in London.

Things that people say after they know me:
I’m chill.
How did I dread my hair?
I’m a spiritual guy.
I look like a musician.

Ekko, Drummer

Ekko

Drummer

Born in Sydney, Australia.
Favorite Foods: Lasagne, Japanese, Oxtail, seafood, Cheeseburgers, All types of chicken, Lebanese, Homemade hard shell tacos.
Favorite Bands: Midnight Oil, AC DC, Sound Garden, Led Zeppelin, Snarky Puppy, Kabaka Pyramid, Crowded house, Weather report, Jackson 5, Jedi Mind tricks, Cold Chisel, Public Enemy, Funky Knuckles.
Favorite Movies: Goodfellas, Casino, Boondock Saints, Heat, New Jack City, Reservoir Dogs, Face off, True Romance.
Favorite Artists: Stevie Wonder, Ra The Rugged man, Vinnie Paz, Prince, Michael Jackson, Jimmy Hendrix, Bob Marley, Chuck Fender, Midnight, Billy Joel, Elton John, Immortal technique, Justin Bieber, Black Pumas, Brittany Spears, Justin Timberlake, Eminem, James Morrison, Stephen Marley, Ziggy Marley, Skip Marley, Damian Jnr Gong Marley.
Go-To Munchie: Cheeseburger
Favorite Color: Blue
Hobbies: Cooking, surfing, swimming, drinking.
Interesting Facts: I’m smarter than I look.
I’m older than I act.
I’m nicer to good looking people 🤣
Things that people say after they know me:
You are actually pretty nice.
Your work ethic is top notch.
I didn’t know you played drums.
You don’t really look like Lenny Kravetz.

HISTORY

 

Baba Jenkins was created at the height of the pandemic, and officially formed on February 13, 2021.

In 2020, Guy decided to put together a band. After a few months of thinking through the concept, he decided it would be cool to use his blues background as a foundation and combine it with other styles.

He began searching online and went through hundreds of profiles, saving only the profiles of musicians who had strong credentials, a mention of blues music as an influence, and some type of passionate message.

By September of 2020, he saved 60 profiles. The first person he contacted was Ekko and he replied back the same day. They got together a few weeks later in Culver City and played only one song, but it was great. “I told Ekko to stay tuned for a few months while I found the other musicians.”

In November, as he was searching for singers, he came across Rone’s profile. He had uploaded twelve songs, all rap, and a self-produced cover of Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come”. He was immediately taken with his soulful voice and creative lyrics, he knew this was the guy. He contacted Rone and within a couple of days, Rone replied. They talked about the idea of playing blues under rap but also combining other genres. Rone was somewhat interested. They agreed to set up a video chat that weekend to talk more about it and hit it off.

On December 5, 2020, they booked a rehearsal studio for three hours, at a midway point between where they both lived. “Before we even played a note, we talked first about what we both wanted to achieve, the big picture”. Rone made it clear he wasn’t interested in rapping and wanted to play other styles of music. They agreed to a clean slate, meaning write all new music, and not bring in music from the past.
“A few hours earlier at 2 am, I was up playing guitar to get ready for this meeting and hit some notes and a melody which Rone liked. Rone jumped on his phone and started typing out a story, and within the first ninety minutes Slow Motion was written”.

The remaining ninety minutes produced the dominant guitar hook for Dynamite and another hook which will appear at a later time. Something special was happening!

They met again the following two weekends, took a break for the holidays, and met up again in January. By mid-January, Slow Motion, Dynamite, and Rendezvous were finished so Guy called Ekko in, and on January 20, 2021, the three played the songs. It was a total lock. Smashing masterfully with his kick and intricate progressions, Ekko brought great energy, power and dynamics to the room and straight into the music. “The sound was huge, we could just feel it, Ekko tied it all together. At the end of that session, we had big smiles on our faces.”

For the next month, Guy contacted many bassists with no luck. Rone knew Skooter from some previous studio work he had done and called him. On February 13, 2021, Skooter walked into the rehearsal studio and on the first note, everyone felt the magic. His playing melded seamlessly through the songs like he had written them, creating bottoms and complex hooks that were beautiful, and drove the melodies to even greater heights. “It was totally amazing.”

And that was it. That was the day the band became a reality.

Baba fricken Jenkins!!!!!!! You rocked the world tonight. I'm getting hella compliments to la chef (YOU)!!!! I got to watch the entire show streamed via FaceTime so I felt like I was there. Great freakin job. You are a crowd pleaser, a mean singing group! Look forward to seeing you play live for real one day. XOxOxooxox

Aimee, Producer @ The Bamboo Room, Playa del Rey, CA

Who is your singer??? He is PHENOMENAL!
I believe Rendezvous is my new favorite song!!
This is gold.

Teresa G, Antioch, IL

Rendezvous made me dance!
My soul likes this band very much

Sonia F, Los Angeles, CA

Wow the songs are so good!! I’m speechless.

Shania W, Pasadena, CA

Jaysis, they sound super. Rendezvous is super tight. Serious chill vibe. Amazing!

Rob M, Dublin, Ireland

Oooh, I love it! Just listened a few times and I really dig it!!

Bridget M, Seattle, WA

Man… it’s good stuff. Another great Baba Jenkins track!

Jason F, Playa Vista, CA

You guys sound awesome!!!

Kathy H, Palatine, IL

These songs should be played on FM radio all across the country! I want the album, the CD’s, whatever you’re cutting. Excellent!!

John D, Philadelphia, PA

Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about! Earthy, organic, real. Sonic. Bravo!!

Rich H, Arlington Height, IL

Love the new song!! Soulful! You all look cool n Sunset Sound…I mean cmon’!!!

Gary K, North Potomac, MD

Very mature and interesting. The crescendo on that one tune is awesome! I love it.

Janet A, London, England

Pristine recording, great riffs and super funky!! You guys look totally cool!

Bill C, Libertyville, IL