The sound of Wolf Jett will make you dance, sing… and possibly even howl!
Their all-original songs are an upbeat celebration, infusing folk, soul and Americana into what they call “Cosmic Mountain Music.” Co-founded by two life-long friends and musical partners, Wolf Jett combines the southern-fried vocals of Tennessee-born frontman Chris Jones with Jon Payne’s endlessly groovy drums. They currently perform with Duncan Shipton on bass, female vocalist Allyson Makuch, electric guitarist Rory Cloud, and Alex Benjamin on keys/percussion.
Chris and Jon have been performing together since they were 12, and conceived Wolf Jett in late 2019 as a tribute to Chris’s maternal grandparents. Prior to the release of their debut album the world was brought to a halt by pandemic and all their shows were cancelled, so they constructed an analog studio at Jon’s residence called “House on a Hill” in Boulder Creek, CA. Tragically, CZU Lightning fires ripped through Big Basin State Park in August 2020, consuming the house and studio along with it. Their story was featured in SF Chronicle, Oakland Tribune, San Jose Mercury, and Santa Cruz Sentinel. Seeing an opportunity to help their community heal, they recorded a breathtaking emotional live video among the ashes and rubble of where their home once stood with the help of friends, The T Sisters. Their song “Garden of Pain” has since become a local favorite.
Bella Rayne is a 17-year-old, self-taught guitar phenom from Mendocino, CA who is quickly making a name for herself in the music industry. Her love for the Grateful Dead, psychedelic rock, Southern Rock, 90s grunge, and even a little bluegrass, has been
distilled into her own fresh approach. She carries the confidence, poise and talent of someone far beyond her years and this is a big reason why she’s already become a regular guest shredder, sharing the stage with heavy hitters including Melvin Seals & JGB, ALO, Jackie Greene, Oteil Burbridge and members of Terrapin Family in addition to performing as an Artist at Large at several regional festivals. She even was blessed with the honor of playing Jerry Garcia’s Alligator guitar which doesn’t just happen to anyone! Among her other notable achievements are playing at Oracle Park for SF Giants Grateful Dead appreciation night, features in several publications
including Guitar World and earning reputable industry sponsorships including Fender and Ernie Ball. If you need any further affirmation of her star on the rise, she was mentioned as one to watch by her idol, Susan Tedeschi in Guitar World Magazine…
Bella Rayne has recently formed her own band, Bella Rayne & Friends, a high energy, guitar-driven ensemble with a revolving lineup of all-star musicians that bring jam band twists to soulful Southern Rock classics… plus some originals. This was supposed to be a few show run, but has continued due an influx in requests. Bella Rayne & Friends debuted at the Sweetwater Music Hall in September and have since been in high demand, performing at the Hopmonk Tavern, Crazy Horse Saloon, The David Nelson Band Festival, and Felton Music Hall with more on the horizon. In addition, she also leads a Grateful Dead tribute, Looks like RAYNE, which pays homage to the catalogs of the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band in Bella’s own unique style.
