Red House

Music

Photo by Dan Hill

WHO IS RED HOUSE? Glad you asked! Red House is a Seattle/Tacoma-based band comprised of Robin Crane, John Deely, Mike Jaap, Mark Noftsger and Tim Scott. They are five of the baddest players/ singers in the Northwest--highly skilled, extremely creative Veterans of the Groove playing blues, R&B, soul & funk—mostly semi-obscure covers and original songs. They play what they want and do it Their Way. Far back in 1969, a junior at Roosevelt High School in Seattle, WA, who was a budding rock singer and bass guitarist, was approached by a couple of school mates to join their band. The singer was Tim Scott, who later established himself securely in the Northwest before embarking on a 25 year journey through the Music Mecca of Los Angeles. The bandmates were drummer/vocalist Robin Crane and guitarist Mark Noftsger, both of whom made their marks as veteran musicians, plying their craft up and down the West Coast. After graduation, these three forged their first pro working band in the Top 40 circuit before going their separate ways. In the early 80’s, Tim founded a Seattle band with his friend, legendary guitarist Rich Dangel, called The Reputations. Highly respected in the NW musical community and heavily booked in the local bar scene, that band won the very first Seattle Music Award for Best R&B Band. Early on, the original keyboardist left, making way for singer and Hammond organist Jimmy Holden of the illustrious Holden musical dynasty. Together, they dominated the blues/R&B/Soul and Funk end of the NW scene until Tim embarked on a journey to Los Angeles in 1985, taking his career to the next level. A level that would have him sharing the stage with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Eric Clapton—touring with Tower of Power, Robben Ford, Etta James and Dave Mason. Robin moved to Sacramento & LA, playing & studying recording techniques. Mark joined the US Army--serving and playing in Hawaii. Jimmy spent several years touring Asia and Italy, living in Hong Kong for a time. Fast forward over 30 years, they have, one by one, returned to their native soil, their roots and as fortune and alchemy would have it, co-created a new project—Red House. Since forming, they have performed at Mt. Baker R&B Festival 17 & 23, Sunbanks R&B Festival 2015, 2017 & 2023, North Bend Blues Walk 2014 through 2017, Lincoln Theater w/ Coco Montoya, Snohomish Taste of Music, IBC Finals 2014, WBS Blues Bash 2013, 16, 17, 18 & Awards shows, Indigenous Cultures Day @ EMP Museum and clubs all around the Puget Sound area. In Nov. 2020, as Covid-19 was raging globally, keyboardist James "Jimmy" Holden passed away. Having previously won the award for Best Blues Piano in 2019, in 2021 the Washington Blues Society membership posthumously honored him with 2 awards: the WBS Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement awards. Tim Scott also won for Best Blues Bass the same year. As the band continues to mourn the loss of his friendship and talent, they have resumed work on their 2nd CD while retooling with a new and most welcome addition to their line-up, Tacoma's own W. Michael Jaap (Doctor Jop) on keyboards & vocals. A veteran of the NW music scene and long time music educator, Mike brings his vast talent and experience to greatly enhance Red House and we are thrilled to be making music with him. Also joining as a full fledged band member after being a regular fixture at Red House gigs since the beginning, John Deely on blues & chromatic harmonicas as well as vocals, has decided to make it official. Welcome, John! Mike & John will be making their recording debuts on our upcoming full-length CD, which should be done before the end of this year. BLUES AND BEYOND Red House isn’t just a Blues band. They embrace many of the idioms that sprang from the Blues--R&B, Soul, Funk and even a little Jazz. And each musician brings to the table almost 50 years of experience and expertise. That’s one reason why Red House is the band other bands come to see. Their first recording, a 4 song EP, titled “Over Yonder”, was released in 2017. The cover art is an original painting by Tacoma’s own Little Bill Englehart—one cover tune and 3 original songs. They are currently back in the studio recording a full length follow-up CD. If you haven’t heard Red House, check them out. You’ll be glad you did.

BIOS
Tim Scott – Bassist, Singer, Songwriter Seattle/Los Angeles/Las Vegas
Tim co-founded The Reputations (Seattle Music Award for ‘Best R&B Band’), was nominated & won the WBS Best Blues Bass award. He toured with Tower of Power, Robben Ford, Dave Mason, Etta James, The Bone Shakers, El Chicano and Jack Mack & the Heart Attack. Tim has also performed with Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Dr. John, Billy Preston, Edgar Winter, Chaka Kahn, Buddy Miles, Albert Collins, Big Joe Turner, John Mayall, Herbie Hancock, Steve Vai, Al Dimeola, Randy Brecker, Zen Blues Quartet and many more.

Robin Crane - Drummer, Singer, Songwriter Seattle/Sacramento/Los Angeles
Played with Tim and Mark in their first club band, Glory (see PNWBands.com, 70’s section). Robin also played with local bands of the era; Sluggo, Shirley Lorrene, Jeff Simmons (Frank Zappa), Epicentre and Clear Logic. In California, various original projects including session guitarist/producer Louie Shelton (Seals & Crofts); opening for Cold Blood, The Grass Roots and Larry Graham. Back in Seattle; blues/rock band Pale Men (nominated for ‘Best New Blues Band’) and the Dick Powell Band (winner of WBS ‘Best Keyboard & Harmonica’ nomination).

W. Michael Jaap aka Doctor Jop - Keyboardist, Singer, Songwriter Tacoma, WA.
Michael Jaap, has been known as the "musician's musician" around the Northwest where he was born and raised. Mike has worked in virtually every area in the music industry around the planet including studios, cruise lines, churches, concert/club venues, USO/DOD tours, etc. For the last 50 years Mike has performed and recorded, produced, composed, arranged for a plethora of Groups and Artists. His latest NW tenure includes teaching k-12 classrooms, college level jazz bands and improvisation, and private lessons. As a pianist, percussionist, bassist, and keyboard artist, his prowess is legendary. He has also played with such blues/R&B greats as B.B. King, James Brown, Al Jarreau, The Temptations and Elvin Bishop and jazz greats Bud Shank, George Benson, Ernie Watts, Larry Coryell, Eddie Harris, Stanley Turrentine, etc...

Mark Noftsger – Guitarist, Songwriter Seattle/Hawaii
Mark worked with Tim and Robin in their first pro band, Glory, then playing in Sluggo with Robin. He later moved to Hawaii and put together an R&B/Soul horn band, opening for Sea Wind and Tina Turner. Back in Seattle, Mark played in various local bands, including News and Transit. When Robin moved back to the Northwest, they formed Pale Men, which became the Dick Powell Band. They played various blues clubs and festivals, including Bumbershoot and were nominated for WBS Awards ‘Best New Blues Band’. Mark most recently played as featured soloist with the Curtis Hammond Band. 

John M. Deely - Harmonicas (Blues/Chromatic), Singer San Antonio/Seattle/Austin, TX.
Performing live in the greater Seattle’s club and festival scene from the early 1970’s. Returning to his native Texas, making music with notable musicians, at legendary music venues. Returning to the NW live music scene since the 80’s. In demand studio session harmonica player and live performance sideman, reunited with his Jr. High/High School mates and friends, Tim, Robin & Mark. Band affiliations include The Rocky Hill Band, Ivory Lee Semien, Neto’ Jet, Bonneville Streamliners, Western Electric Show, The Breakers, Bain Blues Band, Back Burner, and The Rent Collectors Blues Band. John has performed with national/international artists: Albert Collins, Rocky Hill, Rockin' Dopsie Jr & The Zydeco Twisters, Otis Taylor.

PAST PERFORMANCES 
17th & 23rd Annual Mt. Baker Mt. Baker R&B Festival (2012, 2018)
Sunbanks R&B Festival- Spring 2015, Summer 2017, Summer 2023
10th Annual Porterhouse Brewfest - Blues & Brews (headliners) 
Mt.The North Bend Blues Walk2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Lincoln Theater w/ Coco Montoya 
Snohomish Taste of Music 
International Blues Challenge Finals 2014
Gig Harbor Rockin R&B Fest 2017 w/ Kal David - Gig Harbor, WA.
Proctor Arts Festival 2016
Summer Blues Party 2016, 2017, 2018
WBS Blues Bash 2018 @ Collector's Choice
WBS Blues Bash 2017 @ Capp's Club
WBS Blues Bash 2016 @ Sound Check
WBS Blues Bash 2013 @ Red Crane – Shoreline, WA. 
Indigenous Cultures Day @ EMP  
RainCityBlues - Great Hall @ Greenlake 
Spark n Blues @ SPARK: Museum of Electrical Invention
Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers Annual Picnic 2015/ 16/ 17
KNKX 88.5 Benefit @ Columbia Theater
Benefit For Phenyx @ Rocko's Fireside Bar & Grill
Fat James Benefit @ New Scarlet Tree Restaurant & Lounge
WBS "Dinnner & A Show" @ Capp's Club
Michael Kinder Remembrance @ Temple Theater
Ron Meek Remembrance @ Everett Historical Theater
Highway 99 Blues Club
Salmon BaySalmon Bay Eagles Club - Ballard/Seattle, WA.
Pono Ranch - Ballard/Seattle, WA.
The Central Saloon – Pioneer Square/Seattle, WA.
J&M Café & Cardroom – Pioneer Square/Seattle, WA. 
New Orleans Restaurant – Pioneer Square/Seattle, WA.
Grinders Hot Sands - Shoreline, WA.
Capp's Club
The Royal Room 
88 Keys
The Spar - Tacoma, WA.
Dawsonand more!