“Sing the one about your ex-girlfriend!” said a young, leather-jacketed man enjoying his egg rolls.

Obviously a fan of soulful embitterment (and Filipino appetizers), the man with eyes as wide as pies waited for the bald (by choice) singer in front of him to sing the first notes of “Get Out of My House,” an R&B tune derived from the likes of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, with maybe a dash of Cee-Lo Green. At Jeepney Asian Grill and three days before Christmas, anything is possible.

Deland Grace, a 29-year-old Lakewood resident, started showcasing his vocal talents at his church back in junior high school. Deland and his group of trusty musicians go by the moniker Deland and the Fuss; think Cerritos’ very own Funk Brothers (Motown’s famous group of session musicians). He continues to share his faith and talents at local establishments such as Cerritos' Jeepney and Artesia’s Coffee Studio and Gerry’s Grill.

“God plays a huge role in my music,” Grace said.  “I believe that God gave me the gift of music, and I am called to use my gifts for his glory.”

Last year, Jeepney Asian Grill's live music scene featured a collection of coffeeshop divas and internet crooners (A.J. Rafael), drawing younger crowds to the popular eatery.

On a week-by-week basis, Grace would invite to the stage anyone who was willing to perform a 15-minute set, so long as their guests patronized the restaurant and sampled its fusion-style Filipino cuisine. Grace, in attempts to further prioritize his performer’s talents, has stressed that his night of live music was not an open mic–an event far-too-common in any bustling music community.

Richard Rowe, a beatboxer (mouth percussionist) and past performer at Jeepney Asian Grill, was the leather-clad man enjoying his eggrolls yelling out for a special request. He’s enjoyed performing alongside Grace as well.

“Deland is sincere,” Rowe said. “It was fun performing at Jeepney Asian Grill because you’re performing amongst your peers.”

Among these coffeeshop divas was Jaclyn Rose Millar, a 23-year-old music graduate from California State University Long Beach. Millar has recently done what any bright-eyed, soul-loving vocalist dreams of doing once Los Angeles stops piquing his or her interest: move to New York’s East Village and make a name for themselves. According to Millar, New York is where her voice is.

“I’m all about taking opportunities, making opportunities, learning and growing from them,” Millar said. “I chose New York because of the jazz, neo-soul and hip hop scene there.”

It should be comforting to know Millar spends her holiday season back in the venues where she cut her teeth. On Dec. 22, backed by Grace and a couple musicians on hand, she steadied through a collection of Christmas favorites like “Silent Night” as well as R&B/Soul hits like SWV’s “Weak,” Jazmine Sullivan’s “Lion’s, Tigers and Bears” and  Erykah Badu’s “Bag Lady.” Mind you, both of these musicians aren’t your typical karaoke bar heroes. These are trained and seasoned musicians.

Grace keeps a couple of CDs on hand: an album titled Chapters, which he released in 2005 and continues to sell at his shows as well as on iTunes. The album includes R&B and Hip-Hop tracks he penned as far back as the late 90s.

“Performing the songs today is always a humbling experience,” Grace said. “For people who hear my music for the first time and enjoy it, really is a blessing to know that my music can survive amongst some of the music of today.”

Grace says his sophomore album--the Christian/Gospel album he's been longing to do -- is expected to be released by the end of 2011.

“God plays a huge role in my music,” Grace said. “I'd be selfish if I kept my gifts and light under a rock. God definitely is the real reason I sing.”

Deland & The Fuss perform Mondays at Mai Tai Bar (Long Beach), Tuesdays at Coffee Studio (Artesia), Wednesdays at Jeepney Asian Grill (Cerritos), Thursdays at The Port (Corona Del Mar), Fridays at Gerry's Grill (Artesia), and Saturdays at Envy Ultra Lounge (Fullerton).