Grits & Bourbon Bios

ValLimar Jansen: Vocals

ValLimar Jansen has performed and toured professionally throughout the United States, Canada, the UK, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Belgium, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Bonaire, Ghana, Israel, Japan, Singapore and China. She played the role of Beneatha with the Broadway touring cast, in the European premier of Raisin. She went on to co-author a one-woman musical about the life of Blues legend, Ethel Waters. This musical received a special commendation from the Kennedy Center, in Washington, D.C.

With over 120 unique performances annually, ValLimar has developed her signature blend of Blues and dramatic art. Her biggest international audiences were at World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland and then in Panama City, Panama. At the Loreto/Angora International Papal Event (In Italy) ValLimar and her husband, Frank Jansen, performed for over 300,000 people and the event was broadcast on Italian television and across the world!

ValLimar has produced and/or co-produced fourteen CDs and has nine published works. She has performed with Jazz great Jay Migliori of Super Sax, world-famous Nathan East, Latin-Grammy-nominated Bobby Rodriguez, Grammy-nominated Sarah Hart, renown drummer Ricky Lawson, Johnny Vatos, Gary Herbig, Steve Hofstetter, Smooth Jazz great, Mark Carter, and Grammy-nominated producer, Ted Perlman.

Burleigh Drummond: Drums
Towards the end of my time at UCLA I was introduced to Ruth and Ian Underwood and this led to a dream come true. All of a sudden I was rehearsing with Frank Zappa in Hollywood with a group of all star musicians, Jean Luc Ponty, the Underwoods, the Fowler Brothers and George Duke. In addition, within three years of concerts, dance clubs, and various performances, Ambrosia found ourselves recording our first album for Twentieth Century Fox Records for the great Russ Regan. The history of Ambrosia has been well documented having our first heyday between 1974-1982. Then we took a break and each went our own way for a while and I feel my life truly began. I met my wife to be Mary Harris.
As for Mary and I, we have recorded three albums of our own under the name TIN DRUM, and slowly our children became a part of the act making appearances both live and on record. Here's to the Family Band. Mary has now become a member of Ambrosia although she has really been there acting in many different roles for nearly 18 years. So, I guess I get my cake and……….

James East: Bass Guitar

James East bass guitarist was first captivated with the instrument after hearing his older brother world renowned bassist Nathan East. In 1991 James left his Aerospace ambitions and began touring and recording nationally and internationally with Lionel Richie, Laura Pausini, Toni Braxton, Patti LaBelle, James Ingram, Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind & Fire and Sergio Mendes. Other credits include Eric Clapton, Tommy Simms, Patti Austin, David Foster, Clint Black, Celine Dion and Elton John. James has also performed for King Bhumibol Adulya of Thailand and Christmas at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II.

Frank Jansen: Keyboards
Frank Jansen has been a professional musician for almost 50 years. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition from California State University at San Bernardino. He has a Master's from Santa Clara University. He writes in a wide variety of styles including Blues, R & B, Rock, Country, Jazz and Classical. These works include choral music, piano music, String Quartets, Woodwind Quintets, and a Symphony. He was the co-founder, keyboardist, composer, recording engineer, and producer for the original Rock band “Bonedust.” In 2013, the band won an L.A. Music Award for Musical Group of the Year. In addition, he has composed in the Musical Theatre genre including a musical entitled, "Somebody." This is a two-person, one- woman show with 23 songs and prelude. It premiered at a theatrical conference in Iowa in March of 2008.
Frank has performed with Jazz great Jay Migliori of Super Sax, world-famous Nathan East, Latin-Grammy-nominated Bobby Rodriguez, Grammy-nominated Sarah Hart, renown drummer Ricky Lawson, Johnny Vatos, Gary Herbig, Steve Hofstetter, Smooth Jazz great, Mark Carter, and Grammy-nominated producer, Ted Perlman. In addition, he has played with The Platters, The Coasters, The Drifters and Jan Berry-Jan & Dean.

Patricia Martin: Guitar
Patricia Martin grew up in The Bronx, NY and currently resides in Southern California. Music has also been a central part of her life. Piano was her first instrument - but when her older brother gave her a hand-me-down guitar, it was love at first sight. Since then, she has played in a diverse line up of bands that encompassed various styles of music including classic rock, r&b, latin and blues. Influenced by guitar greats Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Johnson, Patricia has worked with notable producers such as Ted Perlman and Loris Holland., She has recorded tracks for Kid Rock, Hi Five, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince and Jonathan Butler, and has performed in venues across the country. In addition to playing guitar, Patricia is also an accomplished singer/ songwriter, and has just released her first original project.