Festival Band Bios

2013 Festival Band Bios | 2
Grand Dominion Jazz Band | www.gdjb.com
The Grand Dominion Jazz Band has been together since 1982.  They have had a long time to "get it right."  And - do they get it right.  This is one of the finest New Orleans style bands in the country - with a British flavor.  They feature a driving and up-best style and offer impeccable ensemble work.

Uptown Lowdown | www.uptownlowdownjazz.com
Uptown Lowdown plays a modified version of San Francisco traditional style which eventually became known as "Seattle Style."  With the driving cornet of leader Bert Barr, the two-reed work of John Goodrich and Paul Woltz, and the drummerless three-person rhythm section comprised of Rose Marie Barr on piano, Art Horgen on tuba and Al LaTourette on banjo, one will hear a sound only identifiable as belonging to Uptown Lowdown.

Uptown Lowdown seems to acquire nicknames - "Seattle Style, " Uptown Rundown," "Drummerless in Seattle," and most recently "The Seattle | Frisco Connection."  Whatever - the music speaks for itself.

High Sierra Jazz Band | www.highsierrajazzband.com
The High Sierra Jazz band is a hard-driving, energetic band playing west coast style music ala Turk Murphy and Lu Watters.  The band was formed in 1976, and still has four of the original members, Charlie Castro on drums, Bruce Huddleston on piano, Stan Huddleston banjo and guitar and Earl McKee tuba and vocals.  Previous personnel have been replaced by Pieter Meijers leader and reeds, Howard Miyata on trombone, and subbing this festival is Dan Comins on the cornet.  Their home base is Three Rivers, California.  The band has a repertoire of several tunes and easily performs at a three day festival without a repeat.  Bring your dancing shoes and listen to some toe-tapping music.

Charlie  Castro – Drums, Bruce Huddleston -  Piano, Stan Huddleston – Banjo, Earl McKee – Tuba/Vocals Pieter Meijers – Leaders/Reeds, Bryon Shaw – Trumpet, Howard Miyata – Trombone/Vocals.

West End Jazz Band | www.westendjazzband.com
For the past 38 years, The West End Jazz Band has recreated the classic jazz music that typifies the 1920s and 1930s using original arrangements and instrumentation that is true to the style of the era.  The band was organized by Mike Bezin, who had a great love for early jazz.  The repertoire of The West End Jazz Band consists of a broad representation of the music of this golden age: hot and sweet dance and jazz.  This was back in the days when jazz was the music of the day and had permeated America’s popular songs.

The West End Jazz Band has been invited to some of the most prestigious jazz festivals, played concerts throughout the United States and has also toured Europe twice, which included an important week-long engagement at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Nice, France. 

Leader Mike Bezin is the arranger, vocalist, and also plays cornet.  Leah LaBrea, “The Windy City Songbird,” plays banjo and sings a bit.  The renowned Dan Levinson is on alto sax and clarinet.  Other members are the steadfast Mike Walbridge on tuba, the stalwart Frank Gualtieri on trombone, and the very authentic Josh Duffee on drums.

The band has recorded nine CDs.

Come enjoy jazz from the era where it all began with The West End Jazz Band.

Wally's Warehouse Waifs | www.wallysjazz.com
The interesting thing about the Wally’s lineup is that you have been enjoying these individuals musicians for years.  They have all been notable sidemen in some of “Traditional Jazz” most popular bands.  Their extraordinary talents secured their positions and were vital in establishing their groups as favorites on the Trad Circuit.  With the exception of young Mr. Henry, they’ve all been playing around the circuit for much of the last half of the 20th century.  With their varied backgrounds and experience, they bring a level of entertainment to the stage unseen in most bands.  Each is masters of their instrument(s) and excels in the art of improvising and creativity; their repertoire is limitless; and they are genuinely fun guys!

Tom Hook | www.tomhook.com
In 1987 Tom and Eddie were founding members of the Black Dog Jazz Band, an association that led over the years to appearances at most of the major Traditional Jazz festivals in the US, as well as multiple tours of Europe and a 1989 tour of Communist China. Bobby Durham joined the group in 1990. During that time they formed a splinter group, The Terrier Brothers, that has performed with dozens of pop music legends from the 50's and 60's as well as appearing at a few Traditional Jazz festivals. The Terriers are glad to announce the addition of a fourth long lost "brother," the fabulous Eddie Erickson for the 2013 season. Performing danceable music in all genres, with a healthy dose of novelty numbers added to the mix, this is an act you will not want to miss!