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  • Caesar Rob
    Drums & Vocals

    Caesar RobBorn into a musical family in Santa Barbara, California, Caesar's father was a dance band drummer and prior to that had been in the United State Army Band. His mother and older brother were also drummers filling in when Dad was overloaded with gigs. By the age of 13, Caesar was already performing professionally while studying music with Henry Brubeck, brother of Dave. Following high school graduation, Caesar then moved to Washington, D.C. in order to further his studies with Jack Dennett of the National Symphony Orchestra.

    While living in D.C., Caesar played with the Barnee -Lowe Shoreham Hotel Orchestra, Meyer Davis, and other society orchestras in that area. After a few years Caesar decided to return to Santa Barbara to study business and accounting, while continuing to play music. He worked with the I. Newton Perry Orchestra of Santa Barbara, playing throughout Southern California, Chicago, and on occasion at Yale University in New Haven, CT. He backed George Shearing and Mel Torme on various occasions, and also played for gospel singer Thelma Huston and other national acts.

    Caesar was a member of an Air Force Band, and for a number of seasons was a percussionist with the Santa Barbara Symphony. He also lead the "9 to 5 life" for a number of years while working in accounting for the City of Santa Barbara and serving as its Purchasing Director. He was also a partner in a music store as well as a band booking service. After that Caesar decided to go into music full time and became part of the vocal-instrumental group "The Happy Sounds" , playing 12 successful seasons at Camelback Inn and other Marriott properties throughout the U.S.: The Broadmoor Hotel (Colorado Springs, CO); La Costa Resort (San Diego area), and other top quality engagements.

    Caesar RobIn 1982 with wife-partner Madelyn Roberts, Caesar formed the contemporary group KANDU, originally a quartet that included two of his sons, Rod (keyboards and flugelhorn) and Mitch (drums and bass). For 10 years, and in varying configurations of size and instrumentation, KANDU traveled the continental United States. Playing hotels, clubs, and fine resorts and performing a great variety of music and musical styles to suit the tastes of widely divergent audiences was an adventure and important learning experience.

    Returning to the Phoenix area in 1992 and until 2005, Caesar became a licensed Private Investigator, doing extensive work for the State of Arizona Risk Management Department as well as a number of high profile cases. Today, Caesar is a regular member of Joe Hopkins' "52nd Street Jazz Band". KANDU stays actively engaged in the Phoenix area, along with Caesar and Madelyn's duo, "The Robs". Both musicians are members of the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Praise Team Ensemble, performing at contemporary 11 AM Sunday services. Caesar is proud father of three sons, Rod, Mitch and Chris, and grandfather of 5. He is also proudly a Life Member of the American Federation of Musicians, and holds membership in both the Santa Barbara and Arizona Locals.

  • Madelyn Roberts
    Guitar & Vocals

    Madelyn RobertsThe eldest child of late jazz and studio guitarist Howard Roberts, Madelyn Roberts began her musical career in childhood as a violinist. Having played with the Michigan Youth Symphony, she became popular in the Detroit area as a "ringer": someone who performs for hire in the string sections of community orchestras to help them sound more professional at their public concerts.

    Following a rotator cuff injury to her bowing arm, Madelyn took up the guitar in her early 20s but shortly thereafter put music aside to pursue a career in professional billiards. In the 1970s, she was one of the top competitors in the U.S., appeared on "Wide World of Sports" and performed billiards exhibitions with legendary players Minnesota Fats and Willie Mosconi. In 1975, Madelyn founded and became the first executive director of the Women's Professional Billiards Association (WPBA), a group still playing matches that are regularly televised on ESPN.

    In the late '70s, Madelyn moved to Arizona, gave up billiards and re-discovered the guitar. Her first professional job as a guitarist was in a Western Swing band, "The Bar 7 Bunch". In order to continue to learn and to improve her guitar skills, Madelyn formed "Desert Seminars", an educational program that allowed guitarists from all over the U.S. and Canada to come to Arizona and study in a group with jazz guitar greats such as her dad, Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis. In 1981, Madelyn joined a full-time professional trio and went on the road. It was in this group that she met her partner and husband, drummer Caesar Rob. The trio later morphed into "KANDU", a variety band that toured the U.S. for 10 years. In the early '90s, Madelyn and Caesar returned to Phoenix and began performing at various private clubs and functions as a variety band.Madelyn Roberts

    In 1996, Madelyn was elected President of American Federation of Musicians Local 586, Arizona's professional labor union, an office she currently holds. In 1994, she returned to billiards as an amateur player and in 2000 won the North American Senior Women's title, was a member of the winning North American Women's Open Team and was inducted into the WPBA Hall of Fame as its founder.

    Currently, Madelyn continues to play guitar as a member of bands such as "52nd Street Jazz Band", "KANDU" and "The Robs".