Summer Picnic at Lander’s Landing

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 shade
Bob Malucelli tunes up
The President is our Chief Chef
Boat returns from a ride on the Delta. Thanks Holly!

Orinda 4th of July Parade

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 parade
Jeff warms up before the parade
Ready to decorate photo
Gang ready to decorate
Phil and Linda unmasked and ready to go.
Slavak ready
Paul Bud and Chris ready to go
Chris checks some cables
Float ready to mount
Chris is ready to go
Playing Four Leaf Clover
Playing for the reviewing stand.
Diane and Bob pack up float.

Stoneman Village

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.

Reutlinger Senior Center

December 28, 2021

After another respite caused by the Covid pandemic, the EBBC strummers were thrilled to have the opportunity to perform for the residents of the Reutlinger Senior Center between Christmas and New Years this year. Thirteen fully masked and vaccinated club members braved the risk of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19 to bring some happiness to our enthusiastic friends and residents of the Senior center. We were warmly and graciously received by all!

Participants included Ardie Jarrett, Bud Pearce, Chris Doan, Chris Lardge, Deb Hodson, Don Granberg, Larry Risner, Linda Meyers, Paul Mack, Philip Myers, Rich Combs, and Slavka & Jan Ruzickar.

Our beloved fans Marilee and Bobbie Landers also participated as our cheerleaders in the audience!

Reutlinger Community Center

Aug 22, 2018

By: Bud Pearce

Photos: Bob Nelson

The EBBC strummers experiences a warm and joyful reception from the large and enthusiastic residents of the Reutlinger Community Center. The residents reacted very positively from start to finish. Plenty of singing and dancing in the crowd.

EBBC performers included: Rich Combs, Kit Nelson, Chris Lardge, Don Granberg, Bud Pearce, Doug Johnson, Bob Ehrhorn, Linda Myers, Phil Myers, Dina Melamed, Clyde Dedmon, Paul Mack, Terry Horner, Bob Malucelli, Diane Malucelli, Slavka Ruzicka, and Jan Ruzicka. Bob Nelson helped out with the photography.

 

 

Harry Higgins and Georgette Twain – In Memorium

January 11, 2016

By: John Greitzer

The East Bay Banjo Club lost two four string banjo legends and members over the holiday season. Harry Higgins passed away on December 23rd at age 81 and Georgette Twain died on January 4th at age 90.  The banjo community lost two of its long-time leading lights with their passing.

Harry-and-Daniel Edfited Final

Harry Higgins

“Legendary” would be an understatement in describing Harry Higgins.  From his 17 years leading the Dixieland-style band at the original Red Garter in San Francisco, and band leading at Kezar and Candlestick parks for the San Francisco 49ers and Giants, to his more recent years with the East Bay Banjo Club and playing at Peet’s Coffee in Walnut Creek, Harry left his mark on countless delighted audiences over the decades.  He reflected recently on how lucky he was to have been the bandleader at the Red Garter.  “I just fell into it,” he said.  “I was able to earn a living with it.  I was really lucky.”  Of course, it was his immense talent as much as luck that brought him that long stint as Red Garter bandleader.  Harry was elected in 2008 to the National Four-String Banjo Hall Of Fame.

As a recent active member of the East Bay Banjo Club, he was well-loved both by long-time EBBC members and by newer ones as well.  Even some of our most recent members have stories about how Harry helped them with banjo-playing tips, showed them how to replace a banjo head, or talked about chord-melody theory with them. For Harry, the club was a family affair.  He would lead the club in songs sung by his wife of over 60 years Elinor, known as “Red” to EBBC members. But by far, his greatest delight was mentoring his granddaughter, Danielle, playing the banjo next to him, and encouraging her to sing many of the songs he loved. We are all certain that when Harry left us, he was hopeful that Danielle will continue his legacy in the world of the classic plectrum banjos.

Georgette TwainGeorgette Twain

The “Queen of the Banjo” and a lifetime member of the EBBC, Georgette Twain was a leading four-stringer since the early 1960s and continued touring the country until her recent illness.  In recent years she performed with her daughter Cecilia, an accomplished violinist.  Though Georgette moved to Nevada years ago, some of our long-time EBBC members still corresponded and visited with her up to the time of her death.

Her father encouraged her take up the banjo when her singing career was ruined by polio. She was a student and prodigy of Eddie Peabody, and became widely admired for her incredible technique and showmanship.   Georgette was named to the Four-String Banjo Hall of Fame in 2007.

Her influence on the EBBC goes back many years when she taught many club members how to play the banjo. In fact our current Music Director, Betty David, and our newly elected President, Jack Starr, both took lessons from Georgette in their early playing days.

EBBC will miss both Harry and Georgette.  We wish their families well.