Band Members

Berl Howell - Trumpet / Band Leader

Berl is the energetic leader and founder of the Yosemite Jazz Band. Berl began playing traditional jazz in the California coastal community of Ventura where he performed with the Volunteer Dixieland Fire Brigade and The Untouchables Jazz Band. Making Bass Lake his permanent residence, Berl began performing with the Oakhurst Community Concert Band and soon formed the Yosemite Jazz Band. Berl is dedicated to the enrichment of life through music, especially through traditional jazz. His extreme soulful playing and good-hearted enthusiasm is inspiring to both the band and the audience.

"Teddy" co-founded the Yosemite Jazz Band with Berl. Growing up in La Mirada, California, his musical career started by performing with a pit band for a musical production of the "Sound of Music". Teddy soon decided to leave Southern California to study Forestry at Humboldt State University, but playing his clarinet with the HSU Symphonic Band kept him out from the rain. Upon graduation, a "day job" moved him to Bakersfield when he joined the Bakersfield Municipal Band for summer performances at the Beale Park Amphitheater. Teddy eventually made Coarsegold his home and joined the Oakhurst Community Concert Band, where he met Berl. Soon, discussions about forming a traditional jazz band began ..and the rest is history! Teddy is probably most notable for his raspy singing voice and energetic playing style.

The "Drummer-Man" is also one of the Yosemite Jazz Band's original founding fathers! Being from Illinois, Jimmy performed with bands throughout the Chicago area. On the humorous side, Jimmy participated in the World's Largest Band at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee for listing in the "Guinness Book of World Records". Jimmy performs with the Oakhurst Community Concert Band where he can be seen in the back row pounding on different percussion instruments. His Chicago-style rhythm is fundamental to the band's beat.

"Chops" professional musical career started at the young age of 14 by playing trumpet and saxophone with a polka dance band in central Wisconsin. Pat later relocated to Arizona where in 1965 he became a music teacher after earning his Music Education degree. For 13 years he played the euphonium, trumpet and tuba with the Arizona 108th Army National Guard Band. Soon after moving to Oakhurst, he joined the Yosemite Jazz Band in 1996 by playing the tuba, but today performs on his trombone. Pat is an assistant conductor, Board member and trombonist with the Oakhurst Community Concert Band and on his free time he teaches music at Yosemite High School. If you ask nicely, "Chops" will gladly play his double-belled euphonium for you!

Jeff resides in North Fork, the exact center of California, where he can almost always be heard strummin' or pickin' a banjo. After gaining experience playing experimental finger style solo guitar, Jeff discovered the powerful feeling of playing music with others through drumming. It was just a matter of time before the drums and strings collided and coalesced into a banjo on his knee. Jeff’s enthusiasm for the banjo and music in general knows no bounds, as he's performed in numerous bands playing jazz, bluegrass, Brazilian, and African percussion. Jeff joined the Yosemite Jazz Band in the summer of 2000 to perform traditional jazz tunes on his plectrum banjo and tenor guitar. You may also find Jeff a pickin' and a grinnin' on his five-string banjo with a bluegrass band. Jeff is an inspired musician who can easily jam all night and greet a sunrise..with a banjo on his knee.

James joined the Yosemite Jazz Band in 2001 as the band's piano player, lead vocalist, and offical MC. For those who thrive on trivia, "Chops" is James' father! James began playing music and singing early in his life as a result of his parents' dedication to music. He started out on drums at the ripe young age of six and the piano followed closely there after. Over the past decade James has taken an extreme interest in all forms of jazz music, especially traditional jazz. Though you may enjoy his solo jazz piano performances at some local establishment, James also performs with the Oakhurst Community Concert Band on the baritone. James has many talents, as he is often involved with numerous musical projects where he takes on the roles of a musician, arranger, and recording engineer.

Despite the fact that "Curly" has played the trumpet since he was 12, he was asked to join the Yosemite Jazz Band in 2004 as its tuba player. His musical experiences include performances at the United States Capital building and at Disneyland, which aided him with quickly adjusting to this musical roll. As "Curly" likes to put it, "I just fake it and have been faking it pretty well since!" Larry replaces the tuba for his trumpet when performing with the Oakhurst Community Concert Band, where he also serves on its Board.