The California Honeydrops

Formed in the subway systems of Oakland, retro-soul outfit The California Honeydrops are an electrifying group that defy convention at every turn. They’ve become a mainstay at festivals including Byron Bay Bluesfest in Australia, Outside Lands, Monterey Jazz, Lightning In A Bottle, and have toured with B.B. King, Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, and Allen Toussaint. 

Led by the enigmatic and energetic frontman, Lech Wierzynski, and percussionist Benjamin Malament, each member of the band is a virtuoso in their own rite. Made up of Yanos “Johnny Bones” Lustig on saxophone, Lorenzo Loera on keyboards/guitar, Beaumont Beaullieu on drums, Miles Blackwell on bass, Leon Cotter on saxophone/clarinet, Miles Lyons on trombone/sousaphone, and regularly accompanied by Oliver Tuttle on trombone. The California Honeydrops navigate through a vast repertoire of original songs and timeless classics every night. But what truly sets them apart is their unwavering commitment to the art of improvisation — a skill so finely honed that they have completely abandoned the use of set lists and no two shows are ever the same. 

Off stage, the band’s music has been streamed more than 200 million times, and placed in a variety of TV and films, including Dead To Me, Alaska Daily, Black-ish, and more. Their newest album Redwood Highway was released August 8, 2025.

“The California Honeydrops…evoke the greasy rumble of Booker T and channel the spiritual ecstasy of Sly and the Family Stone.” — Rolling Stone

“A retro, rootsy sound that merges funk R&B, soul and the kind of horns you might hear during a New Orleans second line.” — The Washington Post