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.

Come play with us or watch us practice

Every 2^nd thru 5^th Tuesday of each month

From 7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.

at

Mountain Mike’s Pizza
30 Golf Club Drive Suite A
Pleasant Hill CA 94523

Follow our gig blog below

June 6, 2023

Once again the EBBC appeared at the Stoneman Village facility in Pittsburg CA. The group performed 22 songs to an enthusiastic audience.

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!

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!

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 4^th at age 90.  The banjo community lost two of its long-time leading lights with their passing.

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 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.