OVERVIEW
Pastoria Ave. Jazz Band
The Pastoria
Avenue Jazz Band has its home at the South Bay Traditional
Jazz Society, recently moved to the Palo Alto Elks Lodge at
4249 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA. The senior
members of the band are experienced musicians from the South
Bay area. The band's focus is on recreating the Jazz music
of the twenties. The main mission is to get new musicians,
especially youngsters, started in playing traditional Jazz.
The PAJB is representing the Society at various events and
is especially interested in performing at educational institutions
and public or civic events.
THE PAJB MUSICIANS
Ray Buhler,
Clarinet & Leader. Growing up in Switzerland, Ray
Buhler caught the jazz bug from listening to Sidney Bechet
and Albert Nicholas, who frequently toured Europe in the 50s.
Ray bought an old clarinet and taught himself to play, trying
to emulate the early New Orleans style. At the age of 18,
he cofounded a band called the Oldtimers Dixieland Jazz Band.
Soon, education became his priority followed by the pursuit
of a career that eventually brought him to the United States.
Ray began playing again several years ago and in 1999 he organized
the South Bay Stompers.
Ray, now retired from a career in Research and Development,
frequently participates in jam sessions at the South Bay Traditional
Jazz Society. He is is the founder and leader of the PAJB.
Ted Tilton, Trumpet. Growing up in and around New York City, Ted
took private lessons on the trumpet in high school and played
mostly in symphonic and marching bands. After playing through
college, he dropped the trumpet for the classical guitar.
There was one brief reprisal for three months when he became
the bugler for Air Force OTS while he was being commissioned.
After moving to the Bay Area, a friend invited him to pick
up the trumpet again and join the Cupertino Symphonic Band
under the direction of Bob Gomez. He did this and was soon
taking lessons again, this time from Bruce Haag. In addition
to the PAJB, Ted also plays with the Los Altos Olde Towne
Band and the Los Altos Big Band.
Jack Peters, Cornet and Vocal. Jack started playing cornet and singing
in musicals in Grade School. He played Big Band music throughout
the Cincinnati area in the 1940's. World War II intervened
and he did not get back into playing until his son, John,
got interested in learning cornet in the 1960's. Since coming
to the Bay Area in 1965 as a Research Biochemist, he has played
in and/or led the SRI Institooters and the Rhythmaires, a
band based at the Cupertino Senior Center. Jack loves the
old Dixieland songs, but has been known to dress them up a
bit by composing his own lyrics.
Ricky Hall, Trumpet. Ricky Hall, a 14 years old freshman at Santa
Clara High School, started playing the trumpet in 6th grade
at Buchser Middle School. By the time he was in 8th grade
he was playing 1st chairs in the school's Jazz and Concert
Bands. While in middle school he received the "Louis
Armstrong National Jazz Award". Currently he holds first
chair in his high school's Jazz Band and the "Déjà Vous"
Band (a band consisting of a combination of middle and high
school students - directed by Ladd Anderson) and he also is
leader of the "Straw Hats", a youth jazz band sponsored
by the South Bay Traditional Jazz Society. In addition, Ricky
plays in the San Jose Youth Jazz Orchestra (directed by Dennis
Wilson). In 2002, after graduating from middle school, Ricky
was invited to join the PAJB. He has enjoyed playing with
the old guys ever since. Ricky takes music lessons twice a
week and he is looking forward to going to college to study
music, (primarily jazz).
Ryan Muta, Alto and Soprano Saxophone. Ryan Muta, a 16 year old sophomore
at Santa Clara High School, came home one day when in 3rd
grade and told his parents he wanted to play saxophone after
hearing the instrument in a music presentation. When asked
why, he said, "Because it's the hardest instruments to play."
Ryan started learning to play alto saxophone that year and
continued to learn throughout elementary School. Two weeks
after Ryan has his first lesson, Ryan's dad bet him $100 he
couldn't learn to play Tequila by his dad's birthday (less
than 2 months away). Ryan not only learned the tune completely,
he played it full speed. Ryan earned the cash and a plaque
commemorating his accomplishment. Ryan participated in all
bands while attending Buchser Middle School including the
A-Band, B-Band, Jazz Stage Band and was asked to participate
in the newly formed Straw Hats Trad Jazz Band. At the end
of 7th grade, Ryan switched to soprano saxophone. In Ryan's
8th grade year he played both alto and soprano and was one
of the soloists, playing soprano sax, in the Stage Band. In
Ryan's freshman year of high school, he continued to play
soprano saxophone with the Straw Hats. Ryan is the first youth
to play regularly in the PAJB and continues to play soprano
saxophone with the band and receives many positive comments
from band members on his ability to sight read.
Jerry Rosenblum, Trombone. While in high school, Jerry studied under
the principal trombonist in the St. Louis Symphony and played
in the city's semi-professional philharmonic orchestra. His
horn was put down for several decades while pursing engineering
and law degrees and establishing an intellectual property
law practice in the Bay Area. Jerry and his wife Lois have
long enjoyed attending traditional jazz festivals, which encouraged
him to start playing again in the early 90's. In addition
to playing in the PAJB, he is the manager of the Los Altos
Olde Towne Band and plays with the Los Altos Big Band and
the Peninsula Pops Orchestra.
Jerry Johnson, Piano. Growing up with a mother who had played piano
for the silent movies in the twenties, Jerry was required
to take piano lessons. However, the piano soon gave way to
the saxophone and clarinet with a teacher who had played with
John Philip Sousa. Reeds were his entree into the American
Federation of Musicians (Hammond, Indiana Local) while still
in high school. He played through his college years, but music
was put on the shelf in favor of a more stable family life.
Like many others, retirement has provided him with time to
return to music. In addition to playing with the PAJB, Jerry
also plays with the South Bay Stompers, does solo piano work,
and fronts a trio.
Liz Neumann, Tuba. Having inherited a tuba (to her surprise) just
six years ago, Liz is one of the newer PAJB members. A native
Californian, she is currently playing in the Los Altos Old
Towne Band, the SRI Institooters (a swing band), and the Vineyard
Haven Band. Liz is principal tubist with the Peninsula Pops
Orchestra, and has performed with Jesse Harris, recent Grammy
Award winner.
Bill Van Dorn,
Banjo. A South Bay native, Bill has been playing
tenor banjo for 13 years. He played with the Peninsula Banjo
Band for six years and has played at several Traditional Jazz
Camps in both San Diego and Sacramento. He has played with
the South Bay Stompers
and has now become the backbone of the PAJB's rhythm section.
Thomas Beckmann, Drums. Percussionist Thomas Beckmann began
playing Dixieland at age 16 in the Bourbon Street Five led by trumpeter
Bruce Haag. He has performed and recorded in the San Francisco Bay Area
for 30 years in various bands. His musical interests are varied and his
influences range from Classical to Latin to Reggae to Rock to Drum Corps
to Modern Jazz to Dixieland. This makes for a broad range of percussion
instruments around the house. Basically, if he can hit it, he likes it!
Revised: March 6, 2005
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