Code Blue w/ Catya & Sue
Code Blue has been playing clubs, restaurants, and Blues Festivals since the Spring of 2006. Code Blue features: Singer-Songwriter, Guitarist, Catya, Tenor Saxophonist, Composer, Sue Orfield, Lucas Fischer on Lead Guitar and Vocals, Randy Sinz on Basses and Vocals, and John LeBrun on Drums. Primarily a Blues band emphasizing original and traditional blues, Code Blue also throws in some original and classic R&B and Swing. Catch Code Blue--It’s a Killer Band!!!
About Code Blue’s Musicians
Catya wrote her first song at the age of 8. She began performing professionally in her early twenties and, before moving to Wisconsin, worked in clubs all over New England, the Southwest, and Northern California. She's played gigs with Darrell Nulisch, Jon Ross, Brian Templeton & Kid Bangham, Chuck "The Cat" Morris, The Paramounts, The Short Brothers, and various other acts in New England. In the Greater Upper Mississippi Valley area she's gigged with Howard Luedtke, David Jones & the Jones Tones, The Sue Orfield Band, The Lucy Creek Blues Band, Tim Caswell, Poppy Moeller, Joe T. Cook & the Longshots, R4, and of course, Catya’s Trio and Code Blue.
Sue Orfield plays the tenor saxophone with the whimsy of Sonny Rollins, the passion of Kurt Cobain, the soul of Bill Withers, and the joy of Ella Fitzgerald. Along with a compelling mastery of her instrument, Sue brings to the stage a powerful presence and joy of all things musical. Sue has played with many musical greats over the years, including Bo Diddley, Bobby McFerrin, The Indigo Girls, Ann Wilson (Heart), Dizzy Gillespie, Ivan Neville, Jo Dee Messina, among others. She tours internationally with several groups, including The Tiptons Sax Quartet (formerly The Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet) (Seattle/NYC), and Ellen Whyte (Portland). Sue was voted "Best Horn" by the Washington Blues Society for the years 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. Her own group, The Sue Orfield Band (SOB), highlights Orfield's talents as a composer as well as a player. SOB was voted Best Jazz Band in Volume One's "Best Of The Chippewa Valley 2009" reader poll. (Eau Claire, WI) Sue makes her home in the Chippewa Valley of Wisconsin, and plays locally with bands from all over Wisconsin and Minnesota, including Code Blue, AcoustiHoo, The Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra, Catya's Trio, Willie Walker And The Butanes, Deep Water Reunion, Combo Flambe, and many more.
Randy Sinz first started playing bass at the age of 12 in his father’s band, Jerry Sinz and his Dairyland Ranchhands. After touring the United States in the 70’s, Randy settled in Western Wisconsin--singing and playing bass with a number of popular groups including The Cadillac Cowboys, Tequila Sage and Southern Serenade. Today in addition to singing and playing upright and electric bass with Code Blue, he also performs with Catya's Trio, the Sue Orfield Band, AcoustiHOO, Deep Water Reunion, RADA DADA, Ranger Rudy & the Swingin' Wingtips and Big Butt & the Brewmasters.
John LeBrun got his first pair of drums sticks in 1969 and his first gig in 1974. Over the past 10 years, John has performed with numerous bands including the Jones Tones, Lucy Creek Blues Band, Howard Luedtke, Catya's Combo, Tracy Landis, TSR, Riverstone, HGT, and of course, Code Blue. You may have seen John performing with numerous other musicians in the Chippewa Valley because he seldom turns down a chance to pound some drums. John is also very active with the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild and Children's Theater musical productions as pit drummer. He has performed in over 25 productions since 2000 at various venues including the State Theatre and Fanny Hill. Recent performances include Always Patsy Cline, Chicago, Cats, and Jesus Christ Super Star.
Luke Fischer joins Code Blue on Lead Guitar and Vocals. His influences range from Nine Inch Nails to Blind Willie McTell. In the various projects of which he takes part, he fills multiple roles--from drums to bass to rhythm and lead guitar. He’s played with Billy Angel’s Last Waltz Tribute, Pine Hollow Audio’s Motown Tribute and 60’s Tribute, in a duo with Catya, with Boxcar Sojourn with John Nietz, and his own band, Lucas K. and The Cool Hand Saints. Currently he plays in Looking Glass Down, AcoustiHoo, and The Rhythm Posse.
If you want to take home some of the songs you’ll hear at the show, go to the concession stand pick up Catya’s CD of her original songs: "Kiss Me Like You Mean It!"