History
The Story of AjaVu
The story of AjaVu began in 2001, not on a stage, but in a car.
While driving with his daughter Robyn Jamison, guitarist Ronnie Jamison was singing along to a Steely Dan CD when Robyn turned to him and said, “Dad, I so want us to get a band together.” Ronnie didn’t hesitate. “Okay,” he replied. “Let’s go for it.”
What followed was far more challenging than simply assembling a band. Ronnie quickly discovered that playing the music of Steely Dan at the level it deserved required an uncommon level of musicianship. These were not simple rock tunes — they demanded players with deep jazz, R&B, and studio-level skills. Auditions began, but nearly 90% of the musicians who tried out simply couldn’t meet the musical demands. The bar was high, and Ronnie refused to lower it.
Eventually, the search paid off. With the right players finally in place, AjaVu’s original lineup was formed and rehearsals began in earnest:
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Mike Vanderhule – Drums
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Jim Starr – Lead Vocal / Trombone
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Robyn Jamison – Vocals / Percussion
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Greg Albright – Saxophone
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Ron Torbensen & Mac Akin – Bass
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Gregg Dye – Keyboards
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Steve Stanley – Trumpet
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Ronnie Jamison – Guitar
The band started slowly, working its way through smaller club dates, festivals, and Music in the Parks shows. Each performance sharpened the band, and momentum steadily built.
In 2003, AjaVu reached a major milestone with its first headlining concert at Fresno’s historic Tower Theatre. When the band was announced — “Ladies and gentlemen… AjaVu!” — months of rehearsals and early gigs suddenly paid off. The audience response was overwhelming and confirmed what Ronnie already believed: the music of Steely Dan, with its unique blend of rock, jazz, blues, and soul, would always find an audience when performed with respect and precision.
The band’s next major breakthrough came in 2004, when AjaVu entered KFOG’s “Last Band Standing” competition, hosted by Greg Kihn. More than 280 bands from across Northern California competed, judged by a who’s-who of industry professionals. When the dust settled, AjaVu won — decisively.
During a KFOG interview featuring Walter Becker and Michael McDonald, Greg Kihn jokingly remarked, “Hey Walter and Michael, you just won our band contest,” before playing AjaVu’s version of “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number.”
“If you close your eyes,” Kihn said, “these guys are spot on.”
Becker joked that perhaps Steely Dan should “franchise the band out.” Praise from the original artists themselves was validation at the highest level.
AjaVu returned the following year — and won the competition again in 2005, beating another field of 280+ bands.
The exposure led directly to opening for The Doobie Brothers at the 2005 B.R. Cohn Winery Concert, launching the band into years of high-profile performances throughout California and beyond. AjaVu became a staple at major concert series, festivals, casinos, and fairs, including:
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California State Fair
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Art & Wine Festivals
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Music in the Park concerts and County Fairs
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Casinos throughout Lake Tahoe and the Sacramento Valley
In 2015, AjaVu performed at the Santa Rosa Fire Benefit Concert, sharing the stage with The Doors, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and Robby Krieger’s band. That night, Brian Withycombe and Jim Starr were invited to perform with Chicago Transit Authority, joined by Chicago’s original drummer Danny Seraphine — a defining moment in the band’s history.
AjaVu has opened SHOWS for
Doobie Brothers, Chicago Transit Athority, Jefferson Starship, Eddie Money, The Doors, Big Brother and The Holding Company, Peabo Bryson, Jeff Lorber, Euge Groove, The Robbie Krieger Band.
Touring highlights followed, including appearances at the 2007 and 2008 Milwaukee Jazz Festivals, sharing the stage with Euge Groove, Peabo Bryson, and Jeff Lorber, as well as the 2008 Milwaukee State Fair alongside Jefferson Starship and Eddie Money. Additional highlights included concerts with Starship at Gilroy’s Day on the Ridge, headlining at Las Vegas’s Green Valley Casino, and the Reno/Tahoe Music Festival.
Around 2012, AjaVu evolved again, adding highly seasoned, nationally recognized musicians whose careers spanned touring, recording, and major-label work. Among them:
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Larry Tagg (bass) – Bourgeois Tagg, Todd Rundgren, Hall & Oates
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Brian Withycombe (keys) – Critically acclaimed composer, producer who has shared the stage with members of Tower of Power, Santana, Chicago, Steely Dan, Journey, Pablo Cruise, Elvin Bishop, and many more...
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Dave Hawkes and Jimmie Adams (drums) – with credits including Yellowjackets, Tower of Power, Billy Cobham, and leading jazz and gospel artists
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Brad Catania (trumpet) – James Brown, Lou Rawls, Mel Tormé, Patti LaBelle, The Temptations, The Four Tops
With this expanded lineup, Ronnie launched a sister project: Steelin’ Chicago, allowing the band to perform either the music of Steely Dan or Chicago under separate banners. Today, AjaVu often presents one set of each, while Steelin’ Chicago remains available for Chicago-focused performances.
In 2021, Robyn Jamison stepped away to pursue projects with her husband, and Jim Starr relocated to Idaho. The band welcomed new members, including Andy Morales (lead vocals), Frank Rios (lead vocals/percussion), René Jenkins(trombone), and Tony Malfatti (saxophone), continuing AjaVu’s tradition of musical excellence.
Looking Ahead
As 2026 approaches, AjaVu enters its next chapter stronger than ever. With a fully revamped website, EPK, demo recordings, and video content, the band is poised to expand its reach and double its annual bookings, continuing a legacy that began with a simple conversation — and a shared love for great music.