Here is another long-lost piece of Sacramento music history, courtesy of Dennis Newhall’s collection of tapes. Dennis dropped a bunch of reel to reel tapes and I did a bunch of them a couple weeks ago. There is some awesome stuff in there, but this one is my favorite.

Here is a bio of The Runners, courtesy of The Center for Sacramento History:
he Runners, an R&B, rock, and jazz combo, included lead singer Keith Jefferson, flutist Skip Moriarty, guitarist Henry Robinett, bassist Al Kee, drummer Jimmy Griego, and Bongo Bob. Jefferson, also a poet, published his first book, “The Hyena Reader,” in the mid-1970s, Bongo Bob became a successful producer (ed: Not just successful- he has credits with Joe Satriani, Clarence Clemons, Eddie Murphy and about 100 more!), and Henry released 7 CDs under his own name, each one of them charted in the 10s or 20s on the jazz radio charts.

It’s amazing that the entire 60 minute set was captured on this reel in this quality. Thanks Dennis and KZAP!
Photo courtesy of Greg Savalin shows the band at Turn Verein Hall on 33rd and J streets on a July 25 sometime in the 1970s.

Recorded by: KZAP
Transfer by: Shayne Stacy
Equipment used: Otari MX-5050 and M-Audio Audiophile 2496 card