Musical Bio

Jerome Dalbeck grew up in Washington State listening to his father play the accordion at home as well as jamming with extended family at "clan gatherings". Wishing to play along with the polka, bluegrass and folk music, he started learning to play the mandolin with his grandfather.The lessons ended with the passing of his grandpa, but the influence was set and he started formal music lessons on the trumpet at age 10. The following year he switched again to the tuba and sousaphone, playing them until high school graduation. By age 14, his musical interests had him teaching himself the bass guitar, which became his signature instrument.

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Playing multiple instruments had him enrolled in various school bands, performing everything from symphonic music to Sousa marches to jazz standards. As a student, Jerome has had the rare experience to participate in nationally competing bands in both high school and college. His high school stage band scored a 3rd place finish at the Reno International Jazz Festival, while his college jazz combo twice scored a 2nd place finish at the Berkeley Jazz Festival. 

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His first paying gigs began at the age of 16 after joining an Elvis/50s band started by school friends. Performing with bands outside of school continued through high school and as a college music major, where at age 19, Jerome landed his first recording gig. Soon after that, he met guitarist Kip Green. Bringing in his close friend, drummer Lane Gonyeau, the three went on to record Green's 1983 Hendrix inspired album, The Kip Green Experience at Tacoma Washington's Rainbow Recording. 

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This was the catalyst for the tight playing Dalbeck - Gonyeau rhythm section to quickly co-found their first original, professional band, the Seattle area rock group Perimeter. Picking up guitarist Al Shamshak, the power trio returned to Rainbow Recording for a two album run. They self produced and promoted their 1984 album Too High and their vastly improved and better focused sophomore album Let Me Rock in 1985. 

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Later, while working on their 3rd album, the band decided to amicably take a break while struggling over creative differences. Jerome went on to play with local blues and R & B band Combo Plate. This led to his first TV appearance, with the band performing guitarist Joe Richards' original music on Seattle's public access station. 

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Other performing and recording projects ensued, both individually and for the rhythm section duo, when Jerome was hired to record with vocalist / pianist Dana Anton. This connection led to his first large venue performance, when Anton was tapped to play the 20,000 capacity Gorge Amphitheatre prior to James Taylor. 

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In late 1993, the long running rhythm section partnership had another watershed moment when they re- formed Perimeter.This time they were joined by guitarist Tom Rahm and vocalist Tim Holycross, who briefly sang with the band in it's earlier days. In addition to writing and recording new material, the band continued to perform and promote the earlier music of Perimeter. A few of those songs even went through lyric and arrangement changes, some of which made it onto the album. This time, the group recorded at home and again self produced and promoted their 1994 album Watching You, as well as a live recording.
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After a few years of running his live sound company, Jerome moved to California in 2005. Here, he has played with a couple of cover bands, a Doors tribute band and the original southern rock / country band Elkhorn Lodge. He recorded an EP with them and the band had 2 videos on Comcast's On Demand music channel. 

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Currently, Jerome's post lockdown rehearsals involve learning new covers and reviewing past originals to start or join a new band. New originals are in the works as well. 

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Jerome's varied, early musical exposure and countless genre-hopping performances helped develop his signature blend of rock, blues, jazz and funk.  The former Pacific Northwest bassist's writing style of up-front catchy bass lines and hook-laden guitar parts has rocked audiences for years.  The mix of tight arranging and jazz influenced ad-lib moments fits in perfectly with greater San Francisco Bay Area audiences and beyond, who love hot rock, cool grooves and jam band sensibilities.