July 30, 2021

By: Slavka Ruzicka

Photos: Slavka Ruzicka

The East Bay Banjo Club entertained once again at
the Brookdale Senior Center in Danville, CA after a 12 to 14 month postponement from any group banjo playing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The club has been gradually working together to resume normal club activities, despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic. The eleven members were enthusiastically received by a large group of residents that seem to miss us as much as we missed them!

Performers included; Bob Ehrhorn, Chris Lardge, Deb Hodson, Don Granberg, John Greitzer, Bud Pearce, Philip and Linda Myers, Mike Stein, and Slavka and Jan Ruzicka.

Based on the reaction to this performance, we will, no doubt, be asked back for future performances.

Bud gives last minute instructions

The 4th of July Parade in Orinda came back from the pandemic, and the East Bay Banjo Club was an enthusiastic participant!  The crowd cheered as the strummers on this year’s float passed by and we all saw many smiling faces. We were very fortunate to be able to practice at the Oakmont Senior Facility several weeks before the parade to insure we sounded decent during the parade. After all, it had been over a year since any of us played the banjo together!

A special thanks to Rich Combs who stepped up to lead the group playing lead melody without the assistance of a bass instrument to keep time for the players. Regardless, we sounded fantastic, and heard loud applause at the reviewing stand and elsewhere as we played a selection of five songs. Our onboard sound system worked flawlessly as our playing and vocals rang out down the path of the parade.

Participants on the float included; Rich Combs, Chris Lardge, Slavka and Jan Ruzicaka, Diane and Bob Maluccelli, Paul Mack, and Bud Pearce.

Crowd looks on as float passes

July 4, 2019

By: Bud Pearce

This 4^th of July, the East Bay Banjo strummers were, once again, delighted to participate in the Orinda parade. A total of fifteen members and one special guest (Anna Vybiralova from the Czech Republic) showed up to first decorate the float, and then ride it through the streets of Orinda and Orinda Village. The onlookers erupted, waving and clapping, as the upbeat sounds of our traditional music rang out from the float. For the first time, we included vocals, that seemed to enhance our performance.  As in past years, we were joined by members of the Tabor Sister City (Anna and Slavka) in full costume who sang two songs in Czech at the Reviewing Stand.

Special thanks go to Karen Hefter for leading the group and to Bob Malucelli who made the sound system perform beautifully! Others included Don Granberg, Paul Mack, Linda and Philip Myer, Gary Kerr, Doug and Mimi Johnson, Terry Horner, Diane Malucelli, Betty David, Bud Pearce, and Jan and Slavka Ruzicka.

Lastly, we would like to thank our float sponsor GJEL (Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis, and Larson) for helping to make this year’s parade a huge success!

July 3, 2018

By Don Granberg

Photos by John Greitzer

WOW!  Another great playout, this one at Stoneman Village Senior Living in Pittsburg.  We all arrived early and got our seating arrangement from Karen Hefter, who did a wonderful job as music director for the gig.  As usual, Paul Mack gave great background and historical information about each song we sang and played.  Our singers — Kit Nelson, Bud Pearce, Sheila Welt, Bob Erhorn, Don Granberg, Chris Lardge, Bob Malucelli and Slavka Ruzicka –did a great job and earned loud applause.  Don, on his washboard, thrilled the crowd.

Jan Ruzicka played the guitar intro to the great song “Tancuj” from his homeland, Czechoslavkia, and his wife Slavka  sang.  The audience enjoyed it and clapped along.  Other club members at the playout were Tom Brunetti, Diane Malucelli, Ardie Jarrett, Phil and Linda Myers, John Greitzer and our great bass player Guy Black.

Our audience sang along with us on many of the songs.  Karen Hefter was about to end the concert as our hour was up, when a woman in the audience yelled out “play God Bless America.”  We did so, bringing the joyful afternoon to a stirring end.  Thanks to Karen for a great job directing, thanks to Bob Malucelli for being responsible for the sound equipment, and thanks also for the help from other club members in setting things up.

July 4, 2018

By:  Bud Pearce
Photos by:  Bud Pearce

Well, it was yet another fantastic experience to perform at the Orinda 4th of July Parade! The weather was great! The crowd was enthusiastic! The sound system worked better than ever!

We arrived early only to find out, after waiting for some time, that we were in the wrong parking lot! However, we quickly recovered from this setback by decorating the float in record time with everyone pitching in to make it happen. A special thanks to Paul Mack for providing us with coffee and doughnuts while we waited for the float. Also, a big shout out to our excellent sound man, Bob Malucelli, while, under enormous time pressure, was able to make our sound equipment work flawlessly. As a result, the crowd reacted more enthusiastically to our performance and we were able to stay together! As an added bonus, we were able to project the vocal talents of Slavka Ruzicka singing “Tancuj Tancuj Vykrucaj” and “Beer Barrel Polka” in her native Czech costume. These songs paid homage to the Orinda/Tabor Sister City Foundation who sponsored our trip to the Czech Republic in 2005.

Performing on the float this year were; Karen Hefter, Terry Horner, Don Granberg, Paul Mack, Bob and Diane Malucelli, Phil and Linda Myers, Bud Pearce, and Jon and Slavka Ruzicka. Usually one of the most fun events of the year, and this year was no exception!

April 2, 2018

By Paul Mack

The East Bay Banjo Club entertained the residents of the Stonebrook Heath Care Center in Concord on Tuesday March 13, 2018. Don Granberg worked with Valarie McDaniel of Stonebrook to organize the playout. Our musical director was Rich Combs, Paul Mack was the announcer, Guy Black played the bass and Bob Malucelli handled the equipment.

We set up the sound equipment and chairs as our performance was in the dining hall. Our musicians and singers were Doug Johnson, Paul Mack, Lary McGrew, Kit Nelson, Rich Combs, Don Granberg, Bob Malucelli, Sheila Welt, Ardie Jarret, Tom Brunetti, Slavka Ruzicka, Jan Ruzicka, Bob Erhorn, Garry Kerr and Bud Pearce.

We took the audience down memory lane by playing twenty songs, starting with “Bill Bailey” and ending with “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Although many in the audience were in wheelchairs, that did not stop them from moving to the music, singing and clapping along with the songs. With their smiles and applause it was clear that they were having a great time.

March 13, 2018

By Paul Mack
Photos by Bob Nelson

The East Bay Banjo Club put on an outstanding performance at the annual Orinda Masonic Lodge Crab Feed on Friday February 23, 2018. The place was packed as each table was filled. Not only did the audience dine on crab, they also dined on an hour of great tunes.

All 21 of us had to fit onto the small stage, but that didn’t stop us from entertaining the crowd. Banjo players and singers included Bob Malucelli, Rich Combs, Karen Hefter, Don Granberg, Bud Pearce, Sheila Welt, Ardie Jarrett, Jan Ruzicka, Slavka Ruzicka, Tom Brunetti, Dina Melamed, Clyde Dedmon, Paul Mack, Garry Kerr, Deb Hodson, Bob Ehrhorn, Doug Johnson, Kit Nelson, Phil Myers and Linda Myers. Guy Black played bass, Bob Nelson served as photographer and Bob Malucelli handled the equipment.

Bud Pearce was the Master of Ceremonies. He gave a little history of each song as he introduced it. We had two duets as Kit and Don sang “Bill Bailey” and Don and Sheila sang “Your Cheatin’ Heart”. Some audience members loved all of the music so much they stopped eating crab and got up and danced! They also got in their exercise as Sheila, Paul and Deb got the crowd moving during “When the Saints Go Marching In.” It was a wonderful audience and we received a standing ovation.  As Karen Hefter wrote, “It was a great team effort. Everyone did their bit as part of the team and it really showed tonight.”

June 27, 2017

By John Greitzer
Photos by Georgette DeTorres

The East Bay Banjo Club entertained a gathering of the Wives of Military Officers at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant in Pleasant Hill on Tuesday afternoon, June 27. Due to the limited space, a smaller-than-usual contingent of 14 EBBC members participated. The group of military wives particularly enjoyed the salute to all branches of the Armed Services. There was a representative of each branch of service in the audience. Perhaps the highlight of our performance was Jesse DeTorres’s version of Satchmo Armstrong’s “Hello Dolly”

EBBC singers and musicians who participated were Jesse DeTorres, Bob Ehrhorn, Don Granberg, Bud Pearce, Karen Hefter, Betty David, Garry Kerr, Bob Malucelli, Rich Combs, Clyde Dedmon, Ardie Jarrett, Red Higgins, Dina Malumed, and Guy Black.

February 24, 2017

By Sheila Welt

The East Bay Banjo Club played for an enthusiastic audience at the Orinda Masonic Lodge Crab Feed on February 24. A 20-strong group of musicians and singers represented the club. Club musicians included Guy Black, Tom Brunetti, Rich Combs, Betty David, Bob Ehrhorn, Don Granberg, Karen Hefter, Red Higgins, Terry Horner, Ardie Jarrett, Doug Johnson, Garry Kerr, Bob Malucelli, Bud Pearce, Larry Risner, Jan Ruzicka, Slavka Ruzicka, Diana Starr, and Sheila Welt. Doug Johnson’s wife Mimi attended as a guest.

EBBC started off with Master of Ceremonies Bud Pearce giving introductions and information to introduce each song. Some in the audience sang along and several got up to dance. The club played a good mix of songs including instrumentals and vocals.

The club’s traditional closing number, “When The Saints Go Marching In,” included a parade line led by Sheila Welt followed by audience members and Terry Horner with his washboard. The club thanks the audience as they made it a wonderful experience for those of us who performed. A great time was had by all.

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.