"And That's Jazz"

The Band

CURRENT BAND MEMBERS


Gene Maurice: Cornet, Founder and Leader of "And That's Jazz". He got hooked on New Orleans Jazz when Lu Watter's Yerba Buena Jazz Band came to Alameda High School in the Spring of '42. Gene started playing it in the Navy during WWII and never thought that there was any other style of music to get overly excited about. He has been associated with the Delta Irregulars, Monterey Bay Classic, Mission Gold, Gutbucket, Mudflat Five and the Buena Vista Jazz Bands. Also, Gene was cofounder and past president of Alameda Jazz Society.

Jack Wiecks: Banjo and Plectrum Guitar. He started a long-time interest in traditional jazz in high school. After growing up in Western Oregon (where jazz bands are as rare as giraffes) he finally saw a real live Dixieland band at the University of Oregon. He traded in his ukulele for a banjo, but after a few years of college jam sessions, the necessities of making a living and raising a family set in. Recent years have allowed more time for Dixieland and Jack has played with Professor Plum, Churchill Street, Mission Gold, Silicon Gulch, 52nd Street Revival and Magnolia Jazz Bands. Jack has been a member of "And That's Jazz" since 1984.

Bill Todd: Drums. Bill started out in the University of Montana Band but moved to California for the jazz. He says, "In 50 years of drumming in many bands, I have never had to change keys." Musical heroes are Bing crosby and Louis Armstrong as he is a singing drummer. He was also the first drummer with Professor Plum's Jazz Band.

Dave Richoux: Tuba. He says he was raised on the music of Spike Jones and big bands and at the age of five, told his mother that he was going to play the tuba. A few years later, he was playing the trumput, trombone and tuba in many school bands in Richmond, California. Dave was in the US Navy Drum and Bugle Corps and a shipboard rock/blues band during the Vietnam War. After college, he connected with Los Trancos Woods Community Marching Band and found it to be a great re-entry to other musical performances. This lead to joining the Churchill Street and Monterey Bay Classic jazz bands and, in 1983, joined "And That's Jazz". He is also the cofounder of the Zenith New Orleans Brass Band and has toured the world with the California Repercussions and hosts The Jazz Parade on KFJC 89.7 FM since 1984.

Al Flood: Clarinet/Soprano and Tenor Sax. Al is a talented reed player and has played with many local bands as well as being a leader of the Barrelhouse Jazz Band. Like many musicians, he first started playing with groups when he was in grammar school. His other avid interest is photography. When he isn't playing an instrument or snapping pictures, he is Director of Pharmacy for two hospitals in Marin County, Kentfield Rehab and Ross.

John Soulis: Trombone. One might say that John has jazz in his genes, his mother having Ma Soulis's Dixieland Band that, at one time, included John and two brothers along with their mother. John has also played with a number of bands including Emperor Norton's and founded his own band, Mission Gold, in the 80s. His latest project is the formation of the East Bay Traditional Jazz Society. During the day he has coached high school varsity football and wrestling as well as teaching science subjects. Other interests include hiking, gardening, model trains, fishing and refurbishing furniture.