About Vince Charming
Vince Charming is one of the Bay Area’s premier singer-songwriters who has been delighting California audiences for decades. His songs combine incisive storytelling, wry wit, social observations, and an endless exploration of the joys and pratfalls of romantic relationships. In 2026 Vince revamped the band and it’s better than ever! Drummer Dave Solon has been with the band since spring of 2025 and keeps the beat steady. P. Airbass brings real Bakersfield Roots to the bass guitar. Andy Charmatz is a versatile musician whose unique guitar and mandolin style takes the band in new directions. Lastly, harmony vocalist, Christina Braa, a veteran of stage and screen, lends her amazing voice to the mix as a sort of frosting on an already delicious cake.
Together they play “Roots Music…and Beyond.” They blend elements of classic and alt-country, rock, bluegrass, and folk-rock to create a unique sound that is both fresh and familiar!
He can play in a variety of settings as a headliner or opening act and as a duo, trio, or full band. He features tracks from his new album, brand new originals, songs from the depths of his career and/or choice covers ranging from Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard to the Band and Bob Dylan focusing on the best of singer songwriters.
Since band members live in Napa, SF, and Berkeley, they play all over NorCal!!
Over the past three years they’ve played at a variety of venues all over Northern California including the Riptide in SF, the Clayton Club Saloon, Winter’s Tavern in Pacifica, Sugarloaf Wine Co in Santa Rosa, Jettywave Distillery in Half Moon Bay, Tam Commons in San Rafael, Blazers BBQ in Novato, Moonlight Brewing in Santa Rosa, Spancky’s in Cotati, Starling Bar in Sonoma, Ivy Room in Albany, the Penngrove Pub, Blue Ocean Brewing in Half Moon Bay ,the Fourth Bore in Orinda, Ireland’s 32 in SF, Jam Cellars in Napa, Treasure Fest on Treasure Island, Slow Hand BBQ in Martinez, BR Cohn Winery in Glen Ellen, the Sausalito Cruising Club, Elevation LVK in Livermore, Nickel and Nickel in Oakville, Jack’s in Fremont, The Garden in Napa, and the Sunset Concert Series at SF Zoo! Upcoming gigs include Murphy’s Irish Bar in Sonoma, Canyon Club Brewery in Moraga, and Whetstone Wine Cellars in Napa. So far every venue they’ve played has asked them back!
History
As a leader, bassist, and songwriter for the ‘Lektrik Submarine, Vince helped pioneer the neo-psychedelic wave that hit Berkeley in 1983. In 1985 he formed and led the Coffee Achievers whose original and high-energy blend of Rock, R&B, Reggae, and Be-bop thrilled Bay Area audiences. In that same year he debuted his original rock opera, The Artist written under the supervision of renowned poet and author, Ismail Reed. In the nineties Vince reinvented himself as an acoustic guitar playing singer-songwriter and for a brief time relocated to Southern California.
In the Bay Area Charming has appeared in such varied venues as the Hotel Utah, Jupiter, Last Day Saloon, Ireland’s 32, the Starry Plough, Ashkenaz, the Bistro in Hayward, Johnny Foleys, the San Gregorio General Store, the Plough & Stars, Peri’s Silver Dollar, Kensington Circus Pub, and the Marin Brewing Company. In early 2005 he released a solo EP, Five Reel Film. Described as “aural cinema”, this work presents five vintage Charming originals. He formed the New Americans in 2005 which played a tasty blend of music that redefined Americana. So Many Me’s was his first full-length solo CD and was released in 2008. Vince released his third solo CD, Everything I Know About Love in, 2013. It contained 14 original songs representing 21st Century Americana.
Vince Charming Band was formed to promote the album and performed all over Northern California before breaking up five years later. They then went into the studio to record his latest, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades released in late 2022. Featuring the singles “Oaklandish” and “Not Your Girlfriend Anymore” with Elliott Peck, the album is a triumph of songwriting and production. With 2023 Vince launched a revamped Vince Charming Band to perform live all over Northern California and promote the new album. Crowd response from recent performances has been filled with praise as the band gains new fans with every show!
Throughout their first year of shows, Vince went on a writing binge-crafting over 20 new songs in 2023 alone! After a year of performing many of these songs, the band went to Skyline Studios in Oakland and recorded “So Totally Right,” a four song digital EP and live performance video. The music can be streamed everywhere, while the videos can be seen on Vince’s YouTube channel, Vince Charming Music.
In fall of 2025 he released two solo singles, “Rolled into One” and “Kenna” in advance of a solo EP “Man Out of Time” which will drop in late February.
The All New Vince Charming Band for 2026!
Music has been a driving force and passion in the life of drummer, Dave Solon for as long as he can remember. Over the past few decades drumming in many bands in the North Bay, he’s become a seeker of the thrill that the energy of band and audience can create.
Andy Charmatz is a San Francisco based guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He’s a veteran of the Bay Area music scene having played in a variety of bands over the years including Spellbinder Orchestra, Jamie Clark Band, Stray Muse, and Thee Snake Charmers. His unique sound and playing style is a perfect fit for the band’s incomparable blend of genres that is Roots Music and Beyond.
Christina Braa is a Bay Area native who has performed all over the country and all over the world. She most recently spent 7 months working as a featured vocalist aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Viva ship while sailing to Europe, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. Before that, she spent a year touring through the US and Mexico with Peter Pan the musical. Christina recently returned to her hometown of SF and is eager to sing some classic Americana with Vince Charming Band!
Pierre, aka P Airbase is a first-generation Basque-American Bass Badass on tuba or bass guitar, depending on the need. He’s a classically trained punk rocker, but also happy to represent his hometown Bakersfield Sound. For fun he’s a coffee roaster, cat monger, and absurdist.