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Friday, Nov. 13, 2009

That sound is jazz in Mariposa

MARIPOSA -- When Berl Howell isn't home to answer his telephone, a lively jazz tune plays in the background as he asks the caller to leave a message. It's likely to make a body forget the phone call and start dancing.

Howell is the leader and founder of the Yosemite Jazz Band. A trumpet and flugelhorn player, he formed the band 15 years ago in the Oakhurst area.

Howell met Ted Strauss at a rehearsal for the Oakhurst Community Band. Strauss plays the clarinet and saxophone. Together, these two energetic musicians and singers started practicing and attracted six other musicians to join them.

Up and down the Sierra range and along the Central Valley, the group has become a favorite of many, playing Dixieland jazz, early swing, gospel and traditional jazz tunes wherever they go.

Other members include Jim "Drummerman" Kirin on percussions, giving the band its fundamental beat. Kirin is actually listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as a participant in the world's largest band while performing once at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee.

Pat "Chops" Mierkey has played trumpet and saxophone since his teen years, and teaches music at Yosemite High.

Jeff Gurule is the plectrum banjo and tenor guitar player, but also plays bluegrass on his five-string banjo with the Smiley Mountain Bluegrass Band and the Jean Butterfield Band.

James Mierkey is the son of Pat, who naturally found himself inheriting a knack for singing and playing the piano. He also plays the drums and is involved with other aspects of musical performance by arranging tunes and acting as recording engineer.

Larry Vaccaro is also known as Curly and has played trumpet since he was 12. When joining the band a few years ago, he was asked to play tuba. As he puts it, "I just fake it and have been faking it pretty well ever since."

Gary Smalz was trained as a classical pianist, but fills in to cover piano, bass or banjo parts whenever needed. Smalz also plays with the Smiley Mountain Bluegrass Band, enjoying a variety of music from jazz and country to disco, classical, pop and rock.

For several years he was the arranger, pianist and bass player for Hi-Hat Records, a national square dance record company. His fantastic abilities are much appreciated by the group.

A couple of the band members are retired, but other members have day jobs, working, playing or teaching in locales nearby.

Their family members like to travel with them, especially when performing at state fairs. With audiences finding it hard to sit still as they listen, the dance floor is soon crowded. Howell has been known to grab his wife for a quick dance before scrambling back up on the bandstand.

The style of jazz is high energy and enthusiastic with a long and glorious history. Audiences everywhere are disappointed when a performance ends. The group is quite popular, and has recorded two CDs to date with another one in the works, to be released hopefully next summer.

Debbie Croft writes about life in the foothill communities. She can be reached at composed@tds.net, or at her Sun-Star blog: City Girl, Country Life.