PERSONNEL BIOGRAPHIES:

Chuck McLain , known to many as the "Rev", plays trombone and sings.  He is a founding member of the BJB.  He played classical music with the Evanston Symphony Orchestra before discovering the joys of traditional jazz.  Chuck is an ordained Presbyterian minister.

Joel Jacobson , on trumpet and vocals has been with the BJB since 1987.  He also plays with the Alameda Community Band, the Island City Big Band and The El Cerrito Band.  Joel is a bridge tender for Alameda County.

Viki Jacobson , wife to Joel, joined the band in 1989 and plays the bass sax.  She also plays in the Alameda Community Band (bass sax) and Oakland's Class Act Big Band (tenor sax).  Viki is a bookkeeper for a few bay area businesses.

Jim Lockie-Brown plays a steady four beat banjo reminiscent of players from the Crescent City.  Born in Oakland, he grew up listening to Dixie-land's My Beat.  He has been with the band since 1988.  Before that he played with a Dixieland group at Oakland City College and for church musicals.  He works at UC Berkeley as a procurer of student housing.

Al Flood has been with the band since its inception.  He plays clarinet and sax  Al started playing in grammar school, and hasn't stopped yet.  Al also plays reeds for another jazz band named ""And That's Jazz"".  When not playing music he is a Consultant Pharmacist for hospitals and pharmacies.

Art Wood  He plays trumpet & trombone, is an Oakland native & S.F. State graduate.  Art has been a backup musician for groups ranging from the Temptations to the Mills Brothers.  He has played European music with the Steve Balich Band for 20 years.  Art's wife, Jo Anne, is very understanding: he has been on the bandstand playing New Year's Eve jobs for 29 out of their 30 years of marriage.