Yosemite Jazz Band

High energy, enthusiastic style of traditional and Dixieland jazz music for any event that
encourages audiences to stomp their feet, clap their hands, and sing along.

It all began in October 1993 when The Yosemite Jazz Band established its roots in the mountain community of Oakhurst, California, located just outside of Yosemite National Park. Berl Howell, our band's fearless leader, approached Ted Strauss and Jim Kirin about forming a traditional jazz band. Other local musicians came on board and it wasn't long before the band was rolling. In the summer of 1994, the newly formed band began performing at the Oakhurst Pizza Factory, which has become an annual tradition. The band quickly gained a loyal following and many gigs ensued.

The Yosemite Jazz Band added more local musicians over the years, including Pat Mierkey, Jeff Gurule, James Mierkey, Jennifer Piccolotti, and David Quinday. We share a lot of fun performing for our friends.

California Mid-State Fair, July 2016
From Left to Right: Pat Mierkey, Jimmy Kirin, Berl Howell, James Mierkey, Jennifer Piccolotti, David Quinday, Teddy Strauss, and Jeff Gurule

[Click Photo for a Higher Resolution Image]

As you plan your trip to Yosemite National Park and find yourself in the Oakhurst area, please stop by and see us. The band performs every Thursday night at the Pizza Factory from 6:30 PM through 8:30 PM, from May through September. Enjoy a pizza, the warm Summer evening, good company, and our traditional jazz sounds.

The band's repertoire includes an entertaining blend of Dixieland jazz, early swing, gospel, and traditional jazz favorites. The Yosemite Jazz Band performs for dances, county and state fairs, jazz festivals, weddings, funerals, memorial services, parties, family reunions, conferences, church events, and grand openings. No matter what your function or event, an entertaining performance by The Yosemite Jazz Band is sure to please.

To contact the band, please email Berl at yosemitejazzband@gmail.com

Our Resume'

The Oakhurst Pizza Factory

Fresno Dixieland Society

Modesto Traditional Jazz Society

Monterey Hot Jazz Society

Sierra Traditional Jazz Club

The Pismo Beach Basin Street Regulars

Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society

Valley Jazz Club

Casey's Tavern in Canoga Park

The Golden Chain Theater

SKP Park of the Sierra

La Feliz Guild of Children's Hospital of Central California

Oakhurst Community Concert Band

The Sounds of Mardi Gras Jazz Festival

Blue Street Jazz Band

The Mother Lode Hot Jazz Party

Yosemite International Jazz Festival

Bass Lake Recreational Resort

The Blue Heron Restaurant and Lounge

Idyl Hour Winery at the Queens Inn by the River

The Pines Resort at Bass Lake

River Creek Golf Course

Wonder Valley Ranch Resort and Conference Center

Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite

The American Cancer Society

Sugar Pine Christian Camps

Oakhurst Knights of Columbus

Our Lady of the Sierra Catholic Church

Yosemite Lakes Community Church

Sierra Pines Church

Madera Grace Community Church

The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens

Coarsegold Elementary School

Oakhurst Elks Lodge

Sunrise and Noon Rotary Clubs

Groveland Rotary Club

Fresno Flats Historical Park

Mariposa Club of the Yosemite Democrats

Oakhurst True Value Hardware

Madera Ford Mercury

Madera Office Depot

Great Day Festive Friday at KMPH FOX TV-26 Fresno

Madera District Fair

Mariposa County Fair and Homecoming

California Mid-State Fair


	High energy, enthusiastic style of traditional and Dixieland jazz music for any event that encourages audiences to stomp their feet, clap their hands, and sing along.
	It all began in October 1993 when The Yosemite Jazz Band established its roots in the mountain community of Oakhurst, California, located just outside of Yosemite National Park. Berl Howell, our band's fearless leader, approached Ted Strauss and Jim Kirin about forming a traditional jazz band. Other local musicians came on board and it wasn't long before the band was rolling. In the summer of 1994, the newly formed band began performing at the Oakhurst Pizza Factory, which has become an annual tradition. The band quickly gained a loyal following and many gigs ensued. The Yosemite Jazz Band added more local musicians over the years, including Pat Mierkey, Jeff Gurule, James Mierkey, Jennifer Piccolotti, and David Quinday. We share a lot of fun performing for our friends. California Mid-State Fair, July 2016 From Left to Right: Pat Mierkey, Jimmy Kirin, Berl Howell, James Mierkey, Jennifer Piccolotti, David Quinday, Teddy Strauss, and Jeff Gurule [Click Photo for a Higher Resolution Image] As you plan your trip to Yosemite National Park and find yourself in the Oakhurst area, please stop by and see us. The band performs every Thursday night at the Pizza Factory from 6:30 PM through 8:30 PM, from May through September. Enjoy a pizza, the warm Summer evening, good company, and our traditional jazz sounds. The band's repertoire includes an entertaining blend of Dixieland jazz, early swing, gospel, and traditional jazz favorites. The Yosemite Jazz Band performs for dances, county and state fairs, jazz festivals, weddings, funerals, memorial services, parties, family reunions, conferences, church events, and grand openings. No matter what your function or event, an entertaining performance by The Yosemite Jazz Band is sure to please. To contact the band, please email Berl at yosemitejazzband@gmail.com Our Resume' The Oakhurst Pizza Factory Fresno Dixieland Society Modesto Traditional Jazz Society Monterey Hot Jazz Society Sierra Traditional Jazz Club The Pismo Beach Basin Street Regulars Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society Valley Jazz Club Casey's Tavern in Canoga Park The Golden Chain Theater SKP Park of the Sierra La Feliz Guild of Children's Hospital of Central California Oakhurst Community Concert Band The Sounds of Mardi Gras Jazz Festival Blue Street Jazz Band The Mother Lode Hot Jazz Party Yosemite International Jazz Festival Bass Lake Recreational Resort The Blue Heron Restaurant and Lounge Idyl Hour Winery at the Queens Inn by the River The Pines Resort at Bass Lake River Creek Golf Course Wonder Valley Ranch Resort and Conference Center Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite The American Cancer Society Sugar Pine Christian Camps Oakhurst Knights of Columbus Our Lady of the Sierra Catholic Church Yosemite Lakes Community Church Sierra Pines Church Madera Grace Community Church The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens Coarsegold Elementary School Oakhurst Elks Lodge Sunrise and Noon Rotary Clubs Groveland Rotary Club Fresno Flats Historical Park Mariposa Club of the Yosemite Democrats Oakhurst True Value Hardware Madera Ford Mercury Madera Office Depot Great Day Festive Friday at KMPH FOX TV-26 Fresno Madera District Fair Mariposa County Fair and Homecoming California Mid-State Fair Home \| Calendar \| Members \| Links \| Webcams \| Jokes \| Facebook \| Contact Us © 1993 to Present - The Yosemite Jazz Band - All Rights Reserved This site is maintained by Teddy Strauss, with help from the band!