OAKHURST – Are you ready to stomp your feet, clap your hands, and sing along with the Yosemite Jazz Band? They’re entertaining at the Pizza Factory in Oakhurst on Thursday nights, now through September, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The band whose repertoire includes a mix of Dixieland, early swing, gospel, and traditional jazz is now celebrating 20 years in the boogie business.
“We are eight-strong and all local musicians,” says band leader Berl Howell. “All through the summer we pack the Oakhurst Pizza Factory every Thursday evening. Please come out and check for yourselves!”
The Yosemite Jazz Band began performing at the Oakhurst Pizza Factory back in 1994, and has done so annually now for two decades. Berl Howell, Ted Strauss and Jim Kirin got together back then with others, and over the years the band has added more talent, now including Pat Mierkey, Jeff Gurule, James Mierkey, Jennifer Piccolotti, and Daniel Green.
So, if you’re looking for some cool jazz on a hot summer night, you know where to go.
“Join us this Thursday and every Thursday after that,” Berl says, because “it all ends in September.” Until they come back again next year, that is.
