Jeff joined the Yosemite Jazz Band in the summer of 2001 as plectrum banjo and guitar player.  With little experience at the time with four-string banjo, the Yosemite Jazz Band and supportive fans provided an encouraging environment for Jeff to grow as a jazz banjo player.  This nourishing environment combined with Jeff’s passion for music and learning has resulted in his blossoming as a traditional jazz musician and a newfound leadership role in the band.  Jeff’s energetic playing style has been influenced by plectrum banjo greats Don Van Pelta, Brad Roth, Lee Floyd and others. 

Jeff plays his guitar and five-string banjo in a number of other bands, performing many different genres of music that include bluegrass, pop, rock, blues, and country.  Most notably, Jeff sings and plays his five-string banjo with the Sugar Pine Band, performing two nights a week over the Spring and Summer at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad.

Berl is the founder and original leader 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.  Soon after relocating to Bass Lake, Berl began performing with the Oakhurst Community Concert Band and formed the Yosemite Jazz Band.  Today, Berl resides in Coarsegold where his enrichment of life continues 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-founder of the Yosemite Jazz Band, has been playing clarinet nearly all his life.  In high school, the sounds of the Count Basie Orchestra caught his ear, which prompted him to take-up the tenor saxophone just to play Jazz.

Teddy earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from Humboldt State University with an emphesis in Music.  He has performed in musical production pit bands, traditional jazz bands, symphony orchestras, clarinet choirs, college and university bands, and community concert bands.  His resume’ include performances with the Bakersfield Municipal Band in Bakersfield, California, and the West Hawai’i County Band in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.  He is 30+ year member of the Oakhurst Community Concert Band.

His raspy singing voice and energetic playing style contribute greatly to the Yosemite Jazz Band performances.

James joined the Yosemite Jazz Band in 2002 as a piano player.  James began playing music and singing early in his life as a result of his parents’ dedication to music.  He started out playing drums when he was six years old and soon began playing the piano.

James has an extreme interest in all forms of jazz music, especially traditional jazz. His enthusiasm in theater has segued toward directing and producing musicals and performing on stage at the Golden Chain Theater in Oakhurst, where he also serves on their Board of Directors.

James has many talents, as he teaches music at the local schools and theater at Yosemite High School.  He is involved with numerous musical projects taking on the roles of musician, arranger, musical director, and recording engineer.

Bonnie Otto first began playing with the Yosemite Jazz Band in 2018 at the Sacramento Hot Jazz Jubilee.  Bonnie has become a regular alternate piano player for the band at festival performances.  Bonnie is no stranger to the trad jazz scene and played in the Sacramento area for many years and is well-regarded as a musician and arranger for a number of bands. Her stride-style playing is highly energetic and a joy to watch. The Yosemite Jazz Band is always thrilled to have Bonnie join the band for selected performances.

Les began playing trombone with the Yosemite Jazz Band in 2020, where his musical talents contribute greatly to the band.  Les has a deep musical background and is a well-respected musician in California’s Central Valley. 

As a music educator of 35 years, he taught at Clovis High, Clark Intermediate, Roosevelt School of the Arts, Bullard High, and Sunny Hills High Schools. He has served as an adjunct instructor at California State University -Fresno, Fresno Pacific University, Fresno City College, and West Hills College.  

Les is accomplished on trombone, euphonium, guitar, bass and vocals. He has performed as an artist locally and statewide with the After Dinner Mints, The Hal Magnie Big Band, Fire and Rain, Banda Libertade De Valle, Rumba 32, The Jazz Composers Orchestra, The Happy Time Jazz Band, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Frankie Valli, Bobby Vinton, Kaye Starr, Gloria Gaynor, The Who, Gladys Knight, Andy Gibb, Melissa Manchester, The Guy Lombardo Orchchestra, Stars of the Lawrence Welk Show, and many others… including the Yosemite Jazz Band.  He has also performed overseas in Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Germany, South Africa and Swaziland.