JAM FACILITATORS

CRAIG KEIL

Craig Keil was nine years old when he first began accordion lessons. Unfortunately the accordion teacher hit his fingers when he played the wrong notes, which was quite often. Craig endured six years of lessons until he was fifteen, when he was introduced to 60's and 70's soul music. He then began playing the Hammond B-3 organ and singing lead vocals in local bands.

In addition to The Allman Brothers Band; Tower of Power, Santana, James Brown, King Curtis and Miles Davis were all major influences on Craig's playing style. Craig has toured with blues legend Rory Block and recorded with a host of major artists in the Hudson Valley area of New York. He has also worked as a studio musician for Fania and Move 'N Groove Records. Last year Craig joined the RRR roster and offered additional support as “Jam Band Counselor”. 

DESEREE SPINKS

Deseree Spinks is a three time Asbury Music Award winning performer, multi instrumentalist and lead singer/songwriter of the band Des & the Swagmatics. Her career began as a backup vocalist in the bands DeSoL and Captain James and the P.A.I.N. before branching out into a solo career. Since then as the leader of the Swagmatics, she has released a self titled EP, a music video produced by WeStar Productions, released a single co-produced by Grammy winner Ebonie Smith and had the opportunity to open for Southside Johnny, perform for Governor Phil Murphy, and be featured in an Emmy winning PBS profile spotlighting Asbury Park. As a solo performer, she has had the honor of a residency in the Borgata and Sugarland casino, and singing with Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds, The North Mississippi Allstars, Spin Doctor’s Anthony Krizan, Bernard Purdie and Melody Trucks. 

Deseree in her spare time is a vocal and piano instructor and loves spreading her love of music and inspiring young minds

Kevin stryker

Bassist - Des & The Swagmatics

Des and the Swagmatics is an Asbury Park based five-piece band on a mission to get your booty shakin’ by any means necessary! Reborn from the glorious ashes of a storied one-off Prince tribute on Halloween 2014, Des and the Swagmatics pack a sexy blend of R&B, rock, soul, funk and pop sounds in a way guaranteed to make you dance so hard you’ll pull something if you don’t stretch first!

Led by vocal powerhouse Deseree Spinks, the Swagmatics are guitarist Randy Preston, drummer-vocalist Craig Lawlor, keyboardist-vocalist Ray Saada, and bassist Kevin Stryker. Coming together over their shared love of Prince’s fearless virtuosity, the raw soul power and harmonies of the great R&B voices of the 60s and 70s, the smooth bass and deep pocket grooves of 90s R&B and New Jack Swing, classic reggae vibes, and iconic 80s synth sounds, a night at a Des and the Swagmatics show is a genre-bending adventure through every way you’ve ever wanted to get down! Known for their original takes on a diverse range of cover songs, Des and the Swagmatics have also released an original self-titled EP, as well as their new single “Back to Blue” with their friends at Telegraph Hill Records. They’re excited to be actively writing and recording material for an upcoming LP!

Their high-energy show has brought them to audiences across the east coast, with multiple appearances at their own hometown venues like The Stone Pony and Convention Hall, NYC institutions The Bitter End and Rockwood Music Hall, and residencies at the legendary Green Parrot in Key West. They’ve been honored to open for local legend Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes’ annual New Years Eve concert at the Count Basie Theatre, played New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s election night after-party, and were featured in an Emmy-winning news feature about the renaissance of Asbury Park’s music scene. They’ve also won Asbury Park Music Awards for Top R&B Band, Top Female Vocalist, and Top Guitarist.

RYAN GREGG

Ryan Gregg is a piano-playing singer, songwriter, composer, producer, music director & bandleader. He has had the pleasure to share the stage on keys with Eric Lindell, Dana Fuchs, J.T. Bowen, Roosevelt Collier, Oteil Burbridge, The Lee Boys, Scott Sharrard, "Stormin" Norman Seldin, The Ocean Avenue Stompers, The Melody Trucks Band, Soul Project Nola, Uncle Scotchy & Juke, Des & the Swagmatics, Jet Weston & the Atomic Ranch Hands, Matt O'Ree, Arlan Feiles, The Black Flamingos, The Billy Walton Band, and many others. Music Licensed to Comedy Central, PBS, and more. Have written songs for puppets, cartoons, and humans on occasion.

MICHAEL PRICE

Mike started taking drum lessons while attending Hudson Junior High School and was chosen to play the cymbals, woodblock and triangle in the All-County Band in 1969. He was first introduced to the Allman Brothers Band in 1971 with the “Live At The Fillmore” album and subsequently “Eat A Peach,” which were both staples in Mike's herbal cleaning accessories. Ironically, Mike met Butch and his wife Melinda 27 years later in Palm Beach, Florida and became instant friends. Butch has been quoted as saying, “Mike is on my list of the witty, crazy people I've known.”

Mike served as director of “The Butch Trucks Drum Workshops” and was considered to be Butch's “left-hand man.” Mike's role at Roots Rock Revival is as a special liaison between campers and the Roots Rock Revival Band members. He is determined to ensure that all campers will have their expectations exceeded!