We are a group of people dedicated to playing and promoting “happy” music on the banjo. We have existed for over 50 years!
We have performed at many senior centers, parades, private parties, music festivals, luncheons, crab feeds, picnics, and shopping centers.
The club is comprised of and accepts anyone from beginners to professional banjo players.
See the log of our events below
May 11, 2023
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.
April 8, 2023
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
August 23, 2019
Your East Bay Banjo Club entertained an enthusiastic audience at Brookdale Senior Living in Danville on Friday, August 23. It was a return engagement for the club and this year’s performance was just as rousing as the previous ones.
Bud Pearce served as music director for the performance, and Paul Mack did his usual fine job as master of ceremonies, providing some interesting historical background about what was happening in the early 1900s as he introduced each of our songs from that era. In addition to Bud and Paul, club members at the playout were Don Granberg, John Greitzer, Jan and Slavka Ruzicka, Betty David, Rich Combs, Chris Lardge, Kit Nelson, Tom Brunetti, Deb Hodson, and Doug Johnson. Our vocalists were Bud, Rich, Chris, Kit, and Slavka. Bob Nelson and Mimi Johnson also attended, and Bob snapped some photographs for us.
We played a well-constructed set, including some of our time-tested standards as well as a couple of songs we don’t play very often, such as the Beatles’ “Honey Pie.” We opened with the old chestnut “Hello My Baby” and ended with our standard closer, “When The Saints Go Marching In.” Along the way, we did a version of “Beer Barrel Polka” in which Slavka sang a couple of verses in English and then a verse in Czech.
Our club members had as good a time as the residents, and we hope to perform at Brookdale again.
June 14, 2019
The East Bay Banjo Club played a spirited one-hour set for Flag Day at Stoneman Village in Pittsburg. Stoneman is a lovely setting, and we played in their attractive courtyard on a beautiful day surrounded by bougainvillea plants and a nice soft breeze.
To mark the Flag Day occasion we played a patriotic set, starting with the five songs of our U.S. Armed Forces — The Marines’ Hymn, The Caissons Go Rolling Along, Anchors Away, the Air Force Song, and Semper Paratus (the Coast Guard song).
Twelve club members played the event, and several others attended. Banjo players were Paul Mack, Ardie Jarrett, Tom Brunetti, Garry Kerr, Betty David, and Chris Lardge. Don Granberg played keyboard and also doubled on washboard for a few songs. Jan Ruzicka played guitar, Slavka Ruzicka played autoharp, Doug Johnson played clarinet and John Greitzer played bass. Kit Nelson sang several numbers. Don, Chris, and Slavka also shared some of the vocal duties. Other members in attendance were Bob Nelson and Mimi Johnson.
We are fortunate to have played at Stoneman Village every year for the past several years, and we certainly hope to be invited back again.
November 11, 2018
By Don Granberg
Photos by Bob Nelson
EBBC celebrated Veterans Day by playing at the Kensington Assisted Living Facility in Walnut Creek. The residents enjoyed our singing and playing. Our singers were Sheila Welt, Kit Nelson, Don Granberg and Red Higgins. Intros were played by Larry Risner and Betty David, and by Don Granberg on the piano. Doug Johnson helped carry the melody playing his saxophone, Terry Horner kept the beat with his magnificent gutbucket bass. Don doubled on washboard.
Slavka and Jan Ruzicka treated us to the song “Tancuj Tancuj” with Slavka handling the vocals in Czech and Jan playing guitar. Ardie Jarrett did a good job of keeping the rhythm along with Dina Melamed (washboard) and Clyde Dedmon (guitar). It was nice to have Linda and Phil Myers playing along too. Also attending were Bernadette Granberg, Dianne Risner and Mimi Johnson.
Paul Mack did a wonderful job announcing and giving the history of each song. Our thanks go to Bob Nelson for taking pictures of the event (see below). Bob and Diane Malucelli did their usual great job of setting up the sound system. We closed the show with “When The Saints Go Marching In,” as Diane Malucelli and Sheila Welt marched around the room carrying umbrellas, even though there was no rain in sight. It was a great playout that went fast and very well. EBBC appreciates the chance to play at the Kensington and we hope return soon.
October 26, 2018
By Paul Mack
Photos by Dianne Risner
We played a fun gig on Friday October 26 at Atria Walnut Creek. We were situated in the dining room, and although it was a tight fit, we made room for all 25 of us. Our group included Red Higgins, Sheila Welt, Ardie Jarrett, Doug Johnson, Paul Mack, Dina Melamed, Clyde Dedmon, Debbie Hodson, Karen Hefter, Don Granberg, Chris Lardge, Linda Myers, Phil Myers, Garry Kerr, Kit Nelson, Bob Malucelli, Diane Malucelli, Rich Combs, Jan Ruzicka, Slavka Ruzicka, Tom Brunetti, Bob Ehrhorn, Betty David, Larry Risner and Guy Black.
It was very exciting to have both Karen and Betty performing with us again. In addition to their participation, the audience was looking forward to hearing their very own resident, longtime banjo club member Red Higgins. She wowed the crowd when she sang “The Crawdad Song.” Toward the middle of the program Red and Kit performed “Bill Bailey” and had the crowd singing and clapping along. Later on Bob Ehrhorn and Red did a wonderful job with “ Darktown Strutter’s Ball.”
We ended with Sheila and Debbie parading through the audience while Don sang our traditional closing number, “When The Saints Go Marching In.” As we were packing up afterwards, a number of people told us how much they enjoyed the show. As the staff was busy getting the room ready for dinner, I looked at the menu and the entrees were Grilled Chicken, Lamb Chop or Salmon Piccata. Yum, yum.
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.
July 27, 2018
By Paul Mack
On Friday July 24, 2018 the East Bay Banjo Club performed at St. John Vianney Church in Walnut Creek for their Senior Social Luncheon. We were in the beautiful Monsignor William J. Mullen Commons. The church is named after St. John Vianney (1786-1859) who is the patron saint of parish priests. Bud Pearce was the patron saint of this playout as he was the musical director, master of ceremonies and set up the sound system!
We had eighteen musicians and singers: Kit Nelson, Ardie Jarrett, Paul Mack, Slavka Ruzicka, Jan Ruzicka, Clyde Dedmon, Dina Melamed, Rich Combs, Don Granberg, Bud Pearce, Chris Lardge, Bob Ehrhorn, Red Higgins, Tom Brunetti, Doug Johnson, Larry Risner, Garry Kerr and Terry Horner.
Just before we started, it was announced that a member of the audience was celebrating her 90th birthday. We played and sang “Happy Birthday” to honor her. As lunch was being served we began our program with Bob singing “San Francisco Bay Blues”. We also performed two instrumentals: “Missouri Waltz” and “Darkness on the Delta.” As we continued our playing more and more people were singing along, and several people were dancing in the aisles. We took a short break while the church announcer told a funny story involving his driving, his wife and a cop who pulled him over. We played a few more songs and Kit sang “Happy Days Are Here Again” as our closing number. After the show we were graciously offered lunch, which we all enjoyed.
Fortunately, this event was video taped by Adrian D’Souza of St. John Vianney Church. Thanks Adrian! Click here to view!
By Paul Mack
June 7, 2018
We played a terrific show on May 25 at Montecito Senior Living in Concord. Playing songs with an Americana theme, we had fourteen musicians and singers: Paul Mack, Slavka Ruzicka, Jan Ruzicka, Sheila Welt, Ardie Jarrett, Kit Nelson, Tom Brunetti, Diane Malucelli, Bob Malucelli, Chris Lardge, Bud Pearce, Garry Kerr, John Greitzer and Guy Black. Paul was the Master of Ceremonies, Bud was the Music Director, and Bob Malucelli set up the sound equipment.
This was our second playout at Montecito this year, as we did a show in March. Since this was the Memorial Day weekend, we began our program with a moment of silence to honor those who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. Our first five songs were the songs of each branch of the armed forces — Anchors Aweigh, The Marine’s Hymn, The Caissons Go Rolling Along, The Air Force Song, and Semper Paratus (a Coast Guard song). We continued playing another eighteen songs to complete the hour-long performance.
The audience loved the show as most everyone was singing and clapping to the songs. During the show Bob Nelson was handed a note which read, “Claire’s mother loved the music you brought to us. It brings back memories.” As we were putting our equipment away after the show, a resident showed us a George Formby songbook which she graciously gave to us. Formby was a British entertainer, popular mostly in the pre-World War II era, often playing banjo or ukulele to accompany his singing.
February 13, 2018
By Sheila Welt
Photographs by John Greitzer and Dianne Risner
The East Bay Banjo Club played a rousing set on the afternoon of February 13 – Fat Tuesday – at Montecito Senior Living on Clayton Road in Concord. An enthusiastic crowd of about fifty residents clapped, sang (and a few danced) to the old-time standards ringing out from our banjos and singers.
This playout was so much fun to play. It is so nice when the audience members sing along with our songs. Several ladies in the audience spontaneously got up and danced to our songs. When we played our traditional closer, “When the Saints Go Marching In,” there was a lot of participation in the parade by women and men.
The East Bay Banjo Club played 21 songs, 16 of which were vocals. Two of our members got up and danced, Rich Combs danced with an audience member, and Sheila Welt led the parade for “When the Saints.” A great time was had by all.
July 21, 2017
By John Greitzer
Photos by Bob Nelson
Capping off a busy June and July, the EBBC entertained a meeting of the Mount Diablo Pilots’ Association on July 21 in Concord. Participants included Tom Brunetti, Jack and Diana Starr, Tom Brunetti, Bob Ehrhorn, Bob Malucelli, Kit Nelson, Deb Hodson, Don Granberg, Jan and Slavka Ruzicka, Doug Johnson, Chris Lardge, Betty David, Guy Black, Larry Risner, Dina Melamed and Clyde Dedmon. Below are some photos taken by Bob Nelson.
May 30, 2017
By John Greitzer
Photos by Bob Nelson
The East Bay Banjo Club entertained a small but enthusiastic audience at Stoneman Village, a seniors’ residence in Pittsburg, with a Memorial Day program on May 30 at 2 p.m. The program started with a song recognizing each branch of the military – “The Caissons Go Rolling Along” (for the Army), “The Air Force Song,” “The Marines’ Hymn,” “Anchors Aweigh” (for the Navy), and “Semper Paratus” (for the Coast Guard).
These were followed by standards such as “Five Foot Two,” “Bourbon Street,” and “Bill Bailey,” to name a few. Bud Pearce handled the announcing duties and Bob Malucelli set up and worked the sound system. Some 22 club musicians and singers participated, including Guy Black, Rich Combs, Betty David, Clyde Dedmon, Alex Dongallo, Bob Ehrhorn, John Greitzer, Don Granberg, Karen Hefter, Red Higgins, Ardie Jarrett, Doug Johnson, Garry Kerr, Chris Lardge, Bob Malucelli, Dina Melamed, Kit Nelson, Bud Pearce, Larry Risner, Jan Ruzicka, Slava Ruzicka, and Sheila Welt. Other club members attending were Bob Nelson, Diane Risner and Cathy Dongallo. The audience was smaller than anticipated, possibly due to the cloudy weather, but they had fun, clapping and singing on familiar songs. EBBC thanks Stoneman Village for inviting us back for another Memorial Day performance.
