The Jolly Gibsons

Come join us Friday, March 6 2020 for a special Mardi Gras celebration! The fun begins at 8:00 p.m. at The Back Room (1984 Bonita Ave. in Berkeley CA). Second lines, New Orleans funk, rhumba-boogie, calypso and soca -- come in costume and join the party!

This show features the joyful New Orleans music that inspired the band to form in 2005. Founding members Jennifer Jolly (keys) and Steve Gibson (guitar) along with bassist Dave Fischer are joined by special guests including Jean Fineberg (sax/flute) and Jeremy Steinkoler (drums/percussion, stepping in for Mark Bernfield).

Advance tickets highly recommended. We look forward to seeing you there!

Jenny & Steve

CONTACT US:  jollygibsons@yahoo.com

BAND SHORT BIO

Keyboardist Jennifer Jolly and guitarist Steve Gibson lead The Jolly Gibsons' blend of celebrative and spiritual roots music. Along with drummer Mark Bernfield and bassist Dave Fischer (and special guests on sax and flute), Jennifer and Steve mix New Orleans funk and R&B, boogie-woogie, twangy blues, jazz-rock jams, Caribbean, and African rhythms in a playful rhythmic journey. The group's repertoire includes both unsung classics and original compositions in the spirit of Professor Longhair, The Meters, John Scofield, Ernest Ranglin, Abdullah Ibrahim, Augustus Pablo, and other masters of the groove.

The Jolly Gibsons are:
Jennifer Jolly: keyboards, melodica, percussion

Steve Gibson: electric guitar, lap steel

Mark Bernfield: drums 

Dave Fischer: electric bass

Bandmember Profiles:

Jennifer Jolly (co-leader; keyboards, melodica, percussion): Jennifer is known throughout Northern California as a specialist in New Orleans R&B, blues, Americana, and world roots keyboard styles. She is a faculty member at The California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley, CA and at Cazadero Performing Arts Camp and maintains a busy private teaching practice. She has performed or recorded with Phil Lesh (The Grateful Dead), David Grisman, folk/jazz vocalist Barbara Dane, and many others. In addition to The Jolly Gibsons, Jennifer currently performs with Zulu Spear (world beat/South African), Baba Ken Okulolo's legendary band Kotoja (Afro-jazz/world), Big B & His Snake Oil Saviors (honky-tonk), The Bait and Switch Blues Band, The Party Monsters (classic R&B), and several reggae/Caribbean and R&B bands. She frequently guests with Tom Rigney & Flambeau (Cajun/blues) and accompanies choruses, musicals, and church services.

Steve Gibson (co-leader; guitar): Steve is renowned in the Bay Area for his masterful jazz, rock, and blues guitar chops. He's performed at many Northern California clubs and festivals, including the High Sierra Music Festival and the San Jose Jazz Festival. His recording "Sunday" was featured by the Augustino Dance Theatre Company. In 1993 he co-founded Bandworks, which provides opportunities for children and adults to learn to play music as a band. Steve has taught at Cazadero Performing Arts Camp, worked in London as a musical director, conducted band workshops in Dublin (Ireland), and contributed to Guitar Player magazine. In addition to The Jolly Gibsons, Steve currently performs with the Funk Revival Orchestra, Michelle Jacques, and others. 

Mark Bernfield (drums): Mark has been playing drums professionally in the Bay Area for the past twenty years with countless jazz, funk, and rock ensembles. Mark teaches 6th-8th grade music at Redwood Day School in Oakland CA, where he also directs the jazz and rock band programs. Mark has also been the music director of East Bay Harmony, a community a cappella chorus, since 2001.

Dave Fischer (bass): Dave performs regularly with Eclair de Lune (gypsy jazz), Douce Ambiance (gypsy jazz/swing), and Greenwood News (original rock).