Steve Kimock, Bobby Vega, Alan Hertz and Ray White have combined their energies to form a quartet that blends rock energy, jazz, world and rhythm & blues music with a fiercely spirited and beautiful improvisational approach. With more than 100 years combined experience, this innovative band has found its niche producing some of the finest sounds in music today successfully engaging diverse audiences with a captivating musical experience.

The KVHW Home Page KVHW erupted onto the San Francisco Bay music scene in January 1998 when longtime collaborators Steve Kimock (Zero, The Other Ones, Phil & Friends) and Bobby Vega (Zero, Jefferson Starship, Quicksilver) put together a jam for a benefit show bringing in Frank Zappa alumnus Ray White and powerhouse drummer Alan Hertz. The strong positive reaction they received to their creative sound convinced them to stay together. This powerful live sound continues to evolve with a strong, versatile repertoire of original compositions as well as sophisticated jazz tunes and a handful of Zappa covers, and their dedicated following is growing rapidly. Prolific lead guitarist, Steve Kimock has been playing nationally for more than 25 years. His virtuosic technique and passionate exploration expand the vocabulary of the guitar. He masters improvising to the breaking point with explosive solos layered with long passages, highly melodic phrases, and beautiful tone. A self-taught innovator, Kimock got his start in Bethlehem PA, gravitating to blues, rock, jazz, and North Indian classical music. He moved to Northern California in the mid 70's playing with the Goodman Brothers, and from there developed a lifetime of musical associations, jamming with such people as John Cippolina, Nicky Hopkins, John Kahn and Jerry Garcia, who hailed Kimock as his "favorite unknown guitar player" shortly before his death. In 1979 he joined the Heart of Gold Band with Keith and Donna Godchaux , producing one album. In 1984, Kimock co-founded the band Zero with drummer Greg Anton and co-produced six albums with this band over 16 years, touring nationally and leading the band with his mesmerizing guitar. During this period his other group, Steve Kimock & Friends, which included Zero band members Martin Fierro and Chip Rowland, played frequently, and produced an independent album. In addition, he recorded albums with Henry Kaiser (Psychedelic Guitar Circus, Everybody Slides), Harvey Mandel, Freddy Roulette, Merl Saunders, Vince Welnick (Missing Man Formation), Bob Weir (Kingfish), Pete Sears, Bobby Vega (Down the Road), and other headliners. In the summer of 1998, Kimock played with The Other Ones on the Further Festival and shared the stage with surviving Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzman. After a successful Further Festival, he kept very busy playing with KVHW and also sitting in with Mickey Hart's Planet Drum, Second Sight and Bruce Hornsby. Lesh was so taken by Kimock's playing that Kimock was Lesh's signature guitar player at many Phil & Friends show in 1999. In this dynamic formation, shared the stage with Trey Anastasio, Paige O'Connell, Jorma Kaukomen, Pete Sears, David Nelson, Warren Haynes, Billy Payne and many others. Kimock's focus lies unequivocally on his playing but also in the production of every show significantly contributing to the creation and manufacturing of most of his gear. As a visionary on the guitar, Kimock lifts the energy of music with his unmatched sounds colorfully expressed in KVHW. Bassist Bobby Vega began his professional career at age 16 with Sly and the Family Stone. With more than 100 albums to his credit, he continues to explore new ground as co-founder of KVHW. Born in San Francisco, Vega has significantly contributed to the city's rich musical heritage. Originally acclaimed for his funky style, Vega's reputation as a creative force has taken him into many other musical arenas. A connoisseur of the instrument, he has been called "the Jaco Pastorius of the 90's". Vega performed worldwide and recorded with such greats as Billy Preston, Paul Butterfield, Olatunji, Joan Baez, Bob Weir, and many others. In 1984, Zero invited Bobby on board and he performed with them for 16 years, while continuing to work with other artists including, Etta James, Mickey Hart, Jefferson Starship, Santana, & Jerry Garcia. An accomplished composer, he collaborated on various movie soundtracks, including the documentary film, "Vietnam, a Television History": the Francis Ford Coppola Film, "One from the Heart" as well as Sega's video game, "Sonic, The Hedgehog III." In 1997 Vega released an album of his own material, "Down the Road", with special guests performances by The Turtle Island String Quartet, David Giribaldi, Airto Moreira, & Steve Kimock. In 1998, Bobby called upon Alan Hertz, and his long time friend Ray White, to participate in what has now become KVHW. Laying down a solid foundation for whatever the future may hold, Bassist Bobby Vega is as solid as a rock. Ray White brings decades of rhythm guitar and vocal expertise to KVHW. Through his soulful vocals and cosmic imagery, White has an uncanny ability to engage the audience. Born in Michigan, Ray White has played the guitar since the age of fifteen and continued to entertain while in the Air Force where he reached the age of majority in Italy. Beginning in the spring of 1976 (Live in New York) until 1977, White served as an illustrious vocalist and rhythm guitar player for Frank Zappa, one of the most accomplished composers of the rock era and a prolific record maker. In 1980, White reunited with Zappa and performed on every album through 1984. White is credited on more than 20 Zappa albums for guitar and vocals. White has also worked with Chad Wackerman, Steve Vai, Terry Bozzio, Patrick O'Hearn, Vincent Colaiuta, Melvin Seales, and many more. White brings poetry, illuminating vocals, rhythm and soul to the band. Powerhouse drummer Alan Hertz is the pulse of KVHW. With his open style and fiery drive he keeps the rhythmic center intact. At 25, Hertz's creativity, persistence, and willingness to explore opens up the world of music for this drummer. Playing percussion since the age of two (he still has the snare drum he began playing on), this California native was heavily influenced by jazz and his musician father. This is evident in his confidence and ability to play free form improvisation with a batch of seasoned musicians. In addition to playing with KVHW, Hertz has recently played gigs with Henry Kaiser, Fareed Haque, Michael Manring, and Primitive Medicine (with Kit Walker, Michael Carabello, Kaieck Hardt, Sykuru, tabla player Eman and James Roto). He is currently working on recording a solo project with group collaborative compositions and improvisations.