By Sheila Welt
Photographs by Bob Nelson

The EBBC had a great play out at the Concord Senior Center on August 16. The dinner tables were arranged so there was a large space in the middle of the room for dancing.

We were well received by those present, with a lot of applause, singing, laughing and dancing by audience members. Some of the women in attendance got up and danced the Charleston (and did it very well!). About a fourth of the group danced with us for our closing song of “When The Saints Go Marching In.”

We enjoyed seeing former EBBC member Flo Hall in attendance. Participating EBBC musicians were Betty David, Bob Ehrhorn, Don Granberg, Karen Hefter, Ardie Jarrett, Garry Kerr, Chris Lardge, Bob Malucelli, Larry Risner, Sheila Welt, Guy Black on bass, Jan Ruzicka on autoharp and Slavka Ruzicka on guitar.

Vocals were handled by Bob Ehrhorn, Don Granberg, Red Higgins, Chris Lardge, Kit Nelson and Sheila Welt. Bob Nelson took photographs.

By John Greitzer
Photos by Bob Nelson

The spacious Fireside Room at Rossmoor’s Gateway Center was completely filled for the club’s noontime play out on July 27. The air conditioning managed to stave off the 105-degree heat from outside, but the ambiance in the room was warm nonetheless.  The large crowd clapped and sang along to many of our songs and gave us rousing applause, particularly for the up-tempo numbers.

With 23 club members participating, it was our most successful playout in recent memory. The musicians and singers in attendance were Jack Starr, Diana Starr, Betty David, Larry Risner, Diane Malucelli, Bob Malucelli, Don Granberg, Bud Pearce, Ardie Jarrett, Bob Ehrhorn, John Greitzer, Kit Nelson, Red Higgins, Guy Black, Sheila Welt, Tom Brunetti, Rich Combs, Phil Myers, Linda Myers, Clyde Dedmon, Jack Convery, and Jack’s young student Trent Jones, who took a solo on “When the Saints Go Marching In” which closed the show.  Bob Nelson attended and took photographs of the event.

By John Greitzer
Photos by Bob Nelson

The mercury hit 105 degrees outside but the only heat inside was the EBBC old-time music playout at the Reutlinger Jewish Community Center in Danville on July 14. The audience of Reutlinger residents, guests and staff clapped, danced and sang along as EBBC ran through many familiar standards and favorites.

Eighteen EBBC members participated, one of our best playout turnouts in recent memory. Participants included Guy Black, Rich Combs, Tom Brunetti, Betty David, Bob Ehrhorn, Don Granberg, John Greitzer, Ardie Jarrett, Garry Kerr, Bob Malucelli, Diane Malucelli, Kit Nelson, Bob Nelson, Bud Pearce, Larry Risner, Jack Starr, Diana Starr, and Sheila Welt.

Reutlinger is a wonderful place to play. The dining room where we play is light, airy and spacious, and the staff are friendly, welcoming and helpful. Residents and staff told us they want us back again soon.

By Diane Malucelli
Photos by Darlene Calimlim

East Bay Banjo Club members enjoyed a special Fourth of July by playing in the Orinda parade. Bobbie Landers did a great job for us in getting a sponsor (the law firm of Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis and Larsen) and a flatbed truck with hay bales to sit on. At 9 a.m. we were decorating the truck with flags and other red, white and blue decorations. We all got up on the truck, sat on the hay bales and rode out into the parade at about 10 a.m.

Music Director Betty David led us in the songs and Bob Ehrhorn played his bass guitar. Other participating club members included Connor Calimlim, Don Granberg, Karen Hefter, Deb Hodson, Bob Malucelli, Diane Malucelli, Bud Pearce, Jan Ruzicka (guitar) and Slavka Ruzicka (autoharp). Connor Calimlim’s parents, Darlene and Lito, also rode with us.

The parade route took us to downtown Orinda and then through the Highway 24 underpass to Orinda Village in the newer part of town. There were thousands of people lining the streets, by far the most people we have ever seen in town. Many different cultures and ages were represented and everyone smiled and waved and shouted “Happy Fourth.” It was a wonderful experience, with people clapping for us and waving their flags. We could hear people saying “There are the banjos” and children were dancing to the beat of our music. We had so much fun we really didn’t want it to end so soon.

EBBC extends a big thank-you to our sponsor, the law firm of Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis and Larsen. Based in Orinda, the firm also has offices through the Bay Area.

June 16, 2016
By Diane Malucelli
Photos by Bob Nelson

EBBC had a playout on Thursday, June 16 from 6:15 to 7:15pm at Aegis of Pleasant Hill on Oak Park Boulevard. Aegis is a very nice assisted living facility. We performed in their garden area in front of a fountain and flowers.

Betty David led us and Guy Black played bass. The other banjo players were Tom Brunetti, Bob Ehrhorn, Don Granberg, Chris Lardge, Diane Malucelli, Kit Nelson, Diana Starr and Jack Starr. Our singers were Don, Chris, Bob and Kit. The staff requested that we play more banjo music and less singing. We did about 60 percent singing and 40 percent instrumental.

We had around 70 people listening to us and singing along. Some of the people are residents of Aegis and others were family members, friends and caregivers. One of the residents, Jack (Gwin) Hicks has been a long-time EBBC member and he was in the audience. Betty acknowledged him and several of us went over to talk to him. Jim Abele was there and he usually comes every Wednesday to our practices. Bob Nelson was also there to help. Since it was later in the day, it got a little chilly from a colder wind so many of the people moved inside and we didn’t have part of our audience. It is a very nice place to play music.

June 10, 2016
By John Greitzer
Photos by Bob Nelson

An audience at Montecito Oakmont Senior Living in Concord enjoyed an EBBC performance June 10 until a fire alarm in the building stopped the show about forty minutes into our planned one-hour set.   By the time the Fire Department arrived, checked the premises and turned off the alarm, our hour-long slot had ended.  We played one final song, a rousing version of “When The Saints Go Marching In” with Kit Nelson singing, to end the afternoon playout.  It remains unclear whether there was a small fire in the building or if it was a false alarm.

EBBC musicians included Betty David, Kit Nelson, Diane and Bob Malucelli, Ken Williamson, Tom Brunetti, Chris Lardge, Bob Ehrhorn, Deb Hodson, John Greitzer, and Guy Black.  Bob Nelson took photos of the event.  Kit, Chris and Bob Ehrhorn handled the vocal chores.

June 1, 2016
By John Greitzer
Photos by Bob Nelson

A small EBBC contingent entertained seniors at Stoneman Village in Pittsburg on June 1, after the planned Memorial Day event was changed at the last minute from May 31 to June 1. The last-minute schedule change left several EBBC members unable to make the new date. Nonetheless, the club played on, to the delight of Stoneman Village residents.