The East Bay Strummers performed at the Reutlinger Community Center on the second floor this year. In previous years, we were in the main dining area, but this year, we had to reposition to a smaller area on the second floor. Although we were somewhat delayed setting up, we still managed to entertain an enthusiastic group of residents.
The performs from left to right included Rich Comb (Director), Zennie Bohn, Yvonne Whitechurch, Paul Mack (MC), Bud Pearce, Slavka Ruzicka, Phil Myer, Lina Myer, Deb Hodson, (back row left to right) Bob Malucelli, Diane Malucelli, Don Granberg (keyboard), Tom Brunetti, John Greitzer (bass), and Dorothy Becker.
In its last playout of 2024 on December 20, the East Bay Banjo Club played to a standing room only crowd at The Kensington. The playlist included a mix of our year-round crowd favorites and a medley of Christmas songs. The Kensington audience were not hesitant to join us in song with the old favorites. Paul Mack did the honors as an emcee introducing the club and providing a brief background to each song played.
We were thirteen banjos strong for the playout including, from left to right, Dorothy Becker, Rich Combs (Music Director and Conductor), Ardi Jarrett, Deb Hodson, Chris Doan, Bud Pearce, John Greitzer (Bass), Slavka Ruzicka, Don Granberg (piano, washboard and banjo), Zennie Bohn, Paul Mack (MC), Yvonne Whitchurch and Tom Brunetti.
On December 10, 2024 the Club hosted its annual Christmas Party at Mountain Mike’s Pizza with plenty of salad, pizza and drinks to add energy to the evening. There were a total of nearly 30 in attendance. When the food was gone, we broke out the banjos to play and sing some of our favorite music.
We also conducted a short annual business meeting for the purpose of electing the Club Directors and Leaders for 2025. Paul Mack did a nice job of developing a list of nominations
Our good friends at the Oakmont Senior Center in Concord invited us to perform a concert of good old-fashioned American music in their large, but elegant activity room. It was great returning to this facility that provided us a meeting place during the pandemic. The crowd was very excited to see us again. The standing-room-only crowd enthusiastically received our performance. We are certain we will be back again with some more fun and excitement.
The group, led by Rich Combs included, Dorothy Becker. Don Granberg. Bob Ehrhorn, Zennie Braun, Jack Convery. Chris Doan, Diane Maluchelli, Bob Maluchelli, Paul Mack, Slavka Ruzicka, Ardie Jarrett, and Bud Pearce.
Yet another successful summer picnic celebrated on the Delta at Lander’s Landing! Our hostess, Bobbie Landers, warmly welcomed the EBBC strummers to her deck for a rousing afternoon of food, banjo playing, singing, great conversation, and just all around fun! The club owes a debt of gratitude for the hospitality offered by Bobbie and her family.
One of the East Bay Banjo retired members, Clyde Dedman, now lives at Concord Royale where we played on June 13, 2024.The audience was energetic and clearly enjoyed the music with clapping and dancing throughout the afternoon. It was good to see Clyde enjoying his experience at Concord Royale.
In our first outdoor event of 2024, the East Bay Banjo Club played for the residents of the Stoneman Village in Pittsburg on May 24. The setting was an afternoon ice cream social on a delightful spring afternoon. The residents clearly enjoyed the music with several dancing and singing along for much of the hour. With Memorial Day just around the corner, we included the theme songs from each branch of the Armed Forces to honor the Veterans and their spouses in the crowd … and each stirred up patriotism amongst the residents.
There were 13 members of the Club who played and sang for the event including Rich Combs, Don Granberg, Paul Mack, Bob Ehrhorn, Tom Brunetti, Larry Risner, Slavka Ruziska, Zennie Bohm, Deb Hodson, Phil and Linda Myers, John Greitzer, and Chris Doan.
EBBC strummers were delighted to perform for our gracious host during the pandemic. Residents at the Oakmont Concord Senior center were enthusiastic with our St Patrick’s Day oriented performance.. Plenty of singing and even some dancing by the audience. They assured us we would perform once again someday.
Participating in the performance were Rich Combs, Bob Ehrhorn, Diane Malucelli. Bob Malucelli, Don Granberg, Ardie Jarrett, Deb Hodson, Larry Risner, Phil Myers, Linda Myers, Tom Bunetti. Bud Pearce, Zenni Bohn, Slavka Ruzicka, and Paul Mack.
A small group of EBBC. party goers attended the annual summer picnic at. Landers Landing.. Everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere that the Delta region provides. Bobby Landers was an excellent hostess as usual. We ate, sang, played the banjo. and enjoyed each other’s company. We all look forward to this event each year!
Yet another year of fun playing for the large crowds in the. 4th of July parade in Orinda, CA. This is perhaps the biggest event of the year for the club!
Yet another fine and fun year playing for the crowds that lined the streets of Orinda during the annual 4th of July Parade.
Some folks followed us as we moved down the street
The East Bay Banjo Club had the privilege of performing for the Sirs Branch 146 Ladies Day Luncheon. The crowd enjoyed such favorites as “When You’re Smiling”, “Yes Sir(s), That’s My Baby”, “April Showers”, “Five Foot Two”, and a host of other standards that brought smiles to their faces and sometimes even a songs to their lips! This is probably one of the largest indoor crowds that we have played for this year, and our music was received enthusiastically.
Members performing include; Bob and Diane Malucelli, Bob Ehrhorn, Chris Lardge, Deb Hodson, Don Granberg, , Larry Risner, John Greitze, Paul Mack, Phil and Linda Myers, Slvaka Ruzicka, Tom Brunetti, and Zennie Bohn.
Strummers ready to start.Bob, John, Slavka, Don, and Larry (Left to Right) waiting to begin.Last minute preparations for the performance.Phil and Linda seated, masked, and ready to perform.
The annual Alamo Rotary Club Easter Egg Hunt returned after a two year respite caused by the pandemic. And, as usual, the East Bay Banjo performance brought joy to children and adults that attended this popular event in the community. A large group of spectators gather around to hear such American song favorites like “In Your Easter Bonnet”, “April Showers”, “Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail”, and many more before and after the mad scramble to gather the bright colored easter eggs. It’s the annual event that club members, parents, and children look forward to each year.
Strummers almost ready to start!Pianist Don Granberg and Bass player Bob Ehrhorm arrive on stage as Chris Lardge chats with Jack Convery.Zenni, Deb, and Slavka (Left to Right) waiting to start the performance
The first gig of 2023 occurred at the Moraga Royale Senior Center on Feb 10th. Folks gathered in the dining room to listen to the East Bay Banjo Club standards such as “Just Because” , “My Little Margie”, “Five Foot Two” along with may others. The residence were thrilled with the performance and commented that they hope we return soon (possibly outside this Spring). Fun was had by all, and we look forward to the opportunity to, once again, bring a little joy to the residents.
The performers included Zennie Bohn, Rich Combs, Chris Doan, Bob Erhrhorn, Don Granberg, John Grietzer, Deb Hodson, Jeff Liu, Bob and Diane Malucelli, Phil and Linda Myers, Larry Risner, and Slavka and Jan Ruzickar.
Strummers set up in the dining roomJeff selfie with Larry Risner, Bob Malucelli, Chris Lardge, Bob Ehrhorn, and Slavka Ruzicka in the background
Barbara Findlay and her husband Paul were very active members of the East Bay Banjo Club in the early seventies and stayed active until the early 2000’s. After Paul’s death, Barbara continued her strong interest in playing the banjo with the club until she moved to Hawaii to be close to her sister. Nonetheless, Barbara kept in touch with members even after moving to the Big Island of Hawaii. We lost Barbara on February 6, 2023. She will be fondly remembered by the club members who experienced her kind and gracious attitude,
The EBBC had the opportunity to perform for the Civic Arts League of Diablo Valley on Dec 1, 2022. The program consisted of a number of member favorite tunes, introduced by our Master of Ceremonies, Paul Mack, complete with some “fun facts” about the history of Walnut Creek and the selected tunes. The audience responded very positively to our program, and at the end, presented each one of the performers with a special gift to take home for the holidays. Many thanks to the Civic Arts League for their gracious reception to the East Bay Banjo Club!
A special thanks to Mrs. Liu (Jeff’s Mom) for her photography skills and capturing the shots and audio below.
Performing were; Zenni Boln, Tom Brunetti, Rich Combs, John Greitzer, Don Granberg, Deb Hodson, Chris Lardge, Jeff Lieu, Paul Mack, Bob and Diane Malucelli, Bud Pearce, Larry Risner, and, Slavka and Jan Ruzickar.
Zinnie ready for her vocal debut!Don waving off the paparazzi!Bud dumbfounded by audience acceptance. Rich getting into the Christmas spirit.Chris reminiscing over his trip to Chicago. Diane consoling Bob for the challenging audio setup.Jeff tuned up and ready to go!The strummers getting the crowd into the Christmas spirit.
It was another enjoyable, albeit a very warm, experience for EBBC members and their families at the annual club summer picnic at Lander’s Landing. Once again, Bobbie Lander’s fantastic hospitality afforded us the opportunity eat, drink, and be merry on the banks of the Delta. This year chicken was added to the fare of sausage, hot links, corn on the cobb, and a wide selection of salads and deserts brought by the attendees. The warm sun dictated we huddle under the shade provided by the pop-up shelters in order to play music that everyone enjoyed.
Thanks to the Landers and all that attended for another fun summer picnic! This annual event should not be missed!
The gang huddled under the shadeBob Malucelli tunes upThe President is our Chief ChefBoat returns from a ride on the Delta. Thanks Holly!
Another exciting 4th of July parade in Orinda! A large crowd of onlookers cheered and waved as the float, full of EBBC strummers, rolled through the Village and the main street of the city of Orinda. This parade typifies the parades in small communities all over the country. Marchers of all ages, from all sorts of organizations within the community, proudly march down the crowed lined streets of enthusiastic parade watchers.
This year, a dozen club members experienced the fun playing, smiling, and engaging the crowd as we performed seven songs without t he advantage of music stands! On the float were Zennie Bohn, Rich Combs (the lead), Chris Doan, Don Granberg, Chris Lardge, Jeff Leiu, Paul Mack, Bob Maluceilli, Diane Maluceilli, Linda Myers, Phil Myers, Bud Pearce, Jan Ruzicka, and Slavka Ruzicka.
Jeff warms up before the paradeGang ready to decoratePhil and Linda unmasked and ready to go.Slavak readyPaul Bud and Chris ready to goChris checks some cablesFloat ready to mountChris is ready to goPlaying Four Leaf CloverPlaying for the reviewing stand.Diane and Bob pack up float.
The East Bay strummers resumed their appearances after a brief hiatus due to the Covid pandemic and some inclimate weather in April. The residents of the Stoneman Village Senior Center enjoyed their ice cream as they enthusiastically welcomed the East Bay Banjo Club back from a long absence.
Performing such popular favorites as “Four Leaf Clover“, “Five Foot Two“, and “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling“, to name a few, were Zennie Bohn, Tom Brunetti, Rich Combs, Bob Ehrhorn, Don Granberg, Deb Hodson, Paul Mack, Bob Malucelli, Diane Maluccelli, Phil Myers, Linda Myers, Bud Pearce, and Larry Risner.
