August 23, 2014

By:  Diane Malucelli
Photos by: Linda Myers

After a long drive winding through farms and ranches, we arrived at our annual club picnic at Landers Landing.  Most of us arrived before noon and Bobbie Landers gave us all a big welcome at her beautiful home on the water.  Don Granberg brought his keyboard and joined banjo players Betty David, Bob Malucelli, Phil and Linda Myers, Kit Nelson, Mike Stein, Sheila Welt, Ardie Jarrett, Guy Black, and Bud Pearce, as they played music for many hours.  Kit, Bud, Don, Bob, and Clyde sang many of the songs.  The neighbors on the island across from Bobbie’s home even came out on their deck to listen to the wonderful music!

Other attendees at the picnic were Mary Black and her son Randy, Bernadette Espejo, Diane Malucelli and her mom Irene, Clyde Dedmon, Dina Melamed, Jim and Angelina Blankenship, Bob Nelson, Gloria Pearce, and Jeannine Stein.  A young friend of Bobbie’s came to the picnic.  His name is Marek and he is from Tabor in the CzechRepublic.  He attended with three other young people who are  part of his host family.  They went out on the boat with Bobbie’s daughter, Holly Burke.  Holly also took a few of our banjo group out on the boat to tour the Delta.

We had a wonderful lunch of sausages, veggie burgers, corn on the cob, salads, chips, dips and great desserts.  Don brought a delicious homemade cheesecake that he made from his mom’s recipe.  It was a beautiful, relaxing, warm day on the Delta with fun music and great people.  We are so thankful to Bobbie and her family for this opportunity to visit her home and the Delta for our annual picnic.  Thank you so much!

June 19, 2014

By:  Karen Hefter
Photos by:  Bob Nelson

The EBBC had an amazing turnout of 18 players and 2 supporting members at this playout!  We performed in a beautiful, shaded courtyard in front of a gurgling fountain while the audience members lounged in chairs around the perimeter of the courtyard.  They were served drinks and hors d’oeuvres by staff members during our performance.  The EBBC was invited to join the residents for a light buffet following the show.

We performed a number of singalong and dance favorites and audience members clapped as we played.  Towards the end, many of them rose to their feet and danced to “Five Foot Two” and our closing number, “When The Saints Go Marching In.”  Our youngest member, Danielle Torres, sang several songs, to the delight of the audience. Don Granberg, Kit Nelson, Red Higgins, Bud Pearce, and Chris Lardge also entertained the audience with their vocals.  Our performers were:  Guy Black, Tom Brunetti, Kermit Collins, Betty David, Don Granberg, Karen Hefter, Harry Higgins, Red Higgins, Ardie Jarrett, Chris Lardge, Bob Malucelli, Diane Malucelli, Linda Myers, Phil Myers, Kit Nelson, Bud Pearce, Larry Risner, and Danielle Torres.  Club members Bob Nelson and Jim Abele were present in the audience, along with EBBC alumnus Jack Hicks.

EBBC at Aegis Senior Living.

May 22-24, 2014

By:  Diane Malucelli
Photos by:  Diane Malucelli, Ardie Jarrett, Garry Kerr, Linda Myers, Larry Risner

This funded event took place over three days at the Omni Tucson National Resort on the outskirts of Tucson.  Each day was jam packed with ukulele and banjo workshops, poolside concerts, jam sessions, and an evening concert.  The resort was beautiful and included an outdoor swimming pool and a golf course.  Many of our rooms were near the pool, as well as the banjo and ukulele activities.  The weather was clear and around 90 degrees.

Our group of 12 banjo players practiced in Don Granberg’s room on Friday.  Our players were:  Jesse DeTorres, Don Granberg, Deb Hodson, Bob Hodson, Ardie Jarrett, Bob Malucelli, Diane Malucelli, Linda Myers, Phil Myers, Dick Neuman, Larry Risner, and Sheila Welt.

We performed at 2pm on Saturday.  We looked great in our blue polos and brown khaki pants and everyone cheered for us as we performed our ten songs.  A Tucson tuba player, Daniel “Sly” Slipetsky joined us for our performance. We had about 100 people in the audience.  Jesse played and sang “Babyface,” “For Me and My Gal,” and “California Here I Come.”  Don played his washboard on “Coney Island Washboard.”  Sheila sang “Darkness on the Delta” and Don and Deb sang a duet on “Just Because.”

There were many wonderful musicians at this event and one of the exciting groups that performed was the All Star Youth Banjo Band from Houston, Texas, led by Banjo Hall of Fame musician, Buddy Griffin.  There were about 20 young people from ages 8 to 18 playing banjos and ukuleles.  They knew all of their songs so well that they didn’t need any music in front of them! They were very inspirational and a great group of musicians.  Johnny Baier, Executive Director of the National Four-String Banjo Museum and Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, performed at the event.  Tyler Jackson and his lovely wife entertained us many times.  Another Hall of Fame banjo player, Dave Marty attended as well.  We all enjoyed several international banjo players:  Sean Moyses from England, Mikoyo Onishi and Mashu from Tokyo and Tom Stuip from the Netherlands.

Several of us brought our ukuleles with us and we attended some of the ukulele jam sessions and workshops. Bob and Diane Malucelli played their ukuleles.  Ardie Jarrett and Jesse DeTorres came to several ukulele workshops on Saturday to learn about Hawaiian style and other ukulele styles from Buddy Griffin and blues from Del Rey.

 The EBBC performs in Tuscon.

Bourbon Street Parade and Bill Bailey” from East Bay Banjo Club on Vimeo.

Just Because from East Bay Banjo Club on Vimeo.

May 8, 2014

By:  Karen Hefter
Photos by:  Bob Nelson

S.I.R.S. (Sons In Retirement) invited us to play for their bi-annual luncheon with their spouses.  The luncheon was held at the beautiful Boundary Oaks Country Club in Walnut Creek. The audience was very appreciative of our music.  Jack Convery led the playout and he introduced each member of the Club and invited them to select a song for us to play.  The performance ended when the S.I.R.S. Singers got up in front of the banjos and invited the crowd (and the EBBC) to perform “God Bless America” with them.  Their pianist started off the verse and the crowd and the banjos joined in on the chorus.  Our players were: Guy Black, Tom Brunetti, Kermit Collins, Jack Convery, Betty David, Karen Hefter, Ardie Jarrett, Garry Kerr, Chris Lardge, Bob Malucelli, Diane Malucelli, Herb Moore, Linda Myers, Phil Myers, Kit Nelson, and Sheila Welt. Club member Bob Nelson took photographs.

EBBC at S.I.R.S.

May 2-4, 2014

By: Karen Hefter
Photos by: Garry Kerr, Linda Myers, and Bob Nelson

The East Bay Banjo club would like to thank our hosts, the Sacramento Banjo Band, for a fun-filled, 3 day banjo extravaganza. The workshops were excellent and very informative and all of the featured performers were inspiring.  Jam sessions went on all day long (and well into the night).  The Slovenian group, Navihanke, was a high energy surprise that brought smiles to everyone’s faces. There was plenty to do all weekend long and, when there was a bit of down time, you could get your banjo worked on by Renee Karnes, a Hall of Fame luthier, or shop for a new addition to your banjo collection.

The EBBC had a great turnout for our performance, with 20 players present. Betty David led us in a solid performance of a variety of banjo favorites. Danielle Torres, Kit Nelson, Bud Pearce, and Sheila Welt were our singers for the day and 10 year old Danielle was especially popular with the crowd. The EBBC had the youngest band member present out of all of the clubs! We were fortunate to have Fredy Kinadeter play the tuba with us and we are grateful that he was able to join us. Our players were: Guy Black, Tom Brunetti, Jack Convery, Betty David, Barbara Findlay, Don Granberg, Karen Hefter, Harry Higgins, Bob Hodson, Deb Hodson, Chris Lardge, Kit Nelson, Fredy Kinadeter, Herb Moore, Linda Myers, Phil Myers, Bud Pearce, Larry Risner, Danielle Torres, and Sheila Welt. Club members Bob Nelson, Garry Kerr, and Red Higgins supported us in the audience and Bob and Garry took pictures.

A special treat followed the EBBC’s performance. First, our own Jack Convery performed with Dave Marty. Then, Harry Higgins and his granddaughter Danielle Torres were invited on stage to play with Jack and Dave. Danielle sang several songs and even played the banjo and sang at the same time. To top off this wonderful performance, Harry’s wife, Red Higgins, came on stage and sang with Danielle while Harry, Jack, and Dave played their banjos. The crowd really enjoyed the entire performance.

The EBBC at Banjo-Rama 2014

Harry, Danielle, Jack, and Dave

Danielle wows the crowd.

Chris poses with Navihanke.

 

April 26, 2014

By:  Karen Hefter
Photos by:  Bob Nelson, Linda Myers, Garry Kerr

Over the years, the East Bay Banjo Club has played for a wide variety of audiences and events, but, to my knowledge, this was the first time that we have played for a Sheep Shearing Day!  The City of San Ramon holds an annual festival at Forest Hill Farms, a former walnut orchard and processing plant where families watch sheep being herded and sheared, watch wool spinning and carding, take tractor rides, and tour the historic home and farm buildings.  The EBBC played outside, in a courtyard next to an open barn filled with a variety of woodworking demonstrations.  The play out was 3 ½ hours long, including a few breaks.  Betty and Larry took turns leading the sets.  We played a wide variety of songs and the crowd seemed to really enjoy us.  Our players were: Guy Black, Tom Brunetti, Kermit Collins, Betty David, Barbara Findlay, Don Granberg, Karen Hefter, Deb Hodson, Ardie Jarrett, Garry Kerr, Fredy Kinadeter, Chris Lardge, Linda Myers, Phil Myers, Kit Nelson, Larry Risner, and Sheila Welt.  Bob Nelson took pictures.

We also tried something new.  In order to reach out to the public, particularly children and their parents, we set up a “Try A Banjo” area next to the band.  Two players at a time manned this area and we  had 2 banjos available for the public to try.  When people came, we would teach them “C” and “G7” chords and play “Camptown Races” with them.  This was a huge success – we had children of all ages, from toddlers to adults, come and try playing the banjo.  One little girl enjoyed it so much that she came over and sat in the middle of the band for about 20 minutes and just took everything in!  (You can see her in the video of “Take Me Out To The Ball Game.”)  We gave her a sparkling blue pick to take home as a souvenir…  There was a line most of the day with people waiting their turn.  The festival organizers seemed very pleased with the Club’s performance, as well as with the “Try A Banjo.”  We hope we will be invited back next year.

“Take Me Out To The Ball Game” from East Bay Banjo Club on Vimeo.

Oh Susanna from East Bay Banjo Club on Vimeo.

“Marching To Pretoria” from East Bay Banjo Club on Vimeo.

April 18, 2014

By:  Karen Hefter
Photos by:  Bob Nelson

What a wonderful playout!  We thoroughly enjoyed playing for a crowd of 60 or 70 seniors in a big, bright room for their April luncheon.  This was first time that the new microphones and mixer were used for a playout.  The setup was easy and the sound quality was excellent.  Overall, the equipment situation has improved tremendously.

We were led by Betty David in a selection of spirited banjo classics that really got the crowd involved.  At one point, a lady with a walker came up right in front of the band and did a solo dance, walker and all!   Our players were:  Guy Black, Betty David, Don Granberg, Karen Hefter, Terry Horner, Ardie Jarrett, Chris Lardge, Dina Melamed, Herb Moore, Linda Myers, Phil Myers, Kit Nelson, Bud Pearce, Larry Risner, and Sheila Welt.  Club member Jim Abele was in the audience and Bob Nelson took pictures.

Kit Nelson sang several songs, such as “St. Louis Blues,” “You Are My Sunshine” and “Take Me Out To The Ballgame, ” many in singalong style.  Bud Pearce sang “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby” to thunderous applause.  Herb Moore, who has been absent from the group for awhile was back playing his banjo and sang “Bye, Bye Blackbird.”  Larry Risner took a solo on “Bye, Bye Blues,” which the crowd really enjoyed.  Chris Lardge sang “Margie” with style and Sheila Welt sang a lovely version of  “Darkness on the Delta.”  We closed with “When the Saints Go Marching In” and about a third of the crowd got up out of their seats and started marching around the tables.  When the song ended (after 4 times through), there were cries of, “Darn, you ended!”  It was a fun performance and we left the crowd wanting more.

February 28, 2014

By:  Karen Hefter
Photos by:  Bob Nelson

We played for a full house of around 150 happy and well fed people at the Orinda Masonic Center Crab Feed.  The place was packed!  Our fifteen players performed on a raised stage and had a great view of the festivities.  We had a little trouble setting up the sound equipment, but everyone pitched in and we figured it out.  For this performance, we were led by Betty David in a variety of crowd pleasing favorites.  Our singers were Jesse De Torres, Kit Nelson, and Sheila Welt.   We ended the performance with When The Saints Go Marching In and people got up and started marching in the aisles!  Deb Hodson got out of her seat, brought her banjo down into the audience area, and joined the parade.  The audience seemed very appreciative of our performance.  Our players were:  Guy Black, Tom Brunetti, Kermit Collins, Betty David, Jesse De Torres, Don Granberg, Karen Hefter, Deb Hodson, Ardie Jarrett, Dina Melamed, Linda Myers, Phil Myers, Kit Nelson, Larry Risner, and Sheila Welt.  Club members Jim Abele, Georgette De Torres (and her grandson), and Bob Nelson supported the players from the audience.

January 25, 2014

By:  Karen Hefter
Photos by:  Georgette De Torres and Linda Myers

A crowd of about 120 people was gathered for the annual Crab Feed at the Oakland Masonic Center last Saturday night.  The East Bay Banjo Club was slated to perform background music as the patrons served themselves from the buffet line, waited for their crabs to be served at the tables, and then enjoyed their dinners.

Even though we had a nice turnout of 13 performers, it was a tough playout.   Due to the high level of ambient noise in the room and issues with the sound system, Betty was unable to hear the rest of the performers for much of the performance.  To compound the issue, many of the performers were unable to hear Betty.  However, everyone tried their best and, by the second half, things came together. Our wonderful singers, Jesse De Torres, Sheila Welt, and Chris Lardge, saved the day and provided great entertainment. The patrons seemed to appreciate our performance and, after the event was over, one of the organizers came on stage and thanked each performer individually and shook his/her hand.

Our performers were: Guy Black, Tom Brunetti, Betty David, Jesse De Torres, Karen Hefter, Terry Horner, Ardie Jarrett, Chris Lardge, Bob Malucelli, Diane Malucelli, Linda Myers, Phil Myers, and Sheila Welt. Club member Georgette De Torres was in the audience and was one of our photographers for the evening.