performance

Current Bands

The OpporTunists

Since 2005, the OpporTunists have been building a reputation as a dynamic contra dance band. When they play, feet begin itching to dance. Their music is not only driving, but versatile, catering to contras, squares, hambos, schottisches, swing, and waltzes that float dancers across the floor.

Each of the three band members is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, a recipe for musical variety and surprises. Alan Snyder is masterful on fiddle and guitar. Eric Hoffman, well-known as a contra caller, is a powerhouse on guitar, fiddle, mandolin, percussion, and jews harp. Topher Gayle kicks up the energy on bass, percussion, 5-string Mandonator™, mandolin, guitar, and tenor banjo.

The OpporTunists frequently play for dances throughout the San Francisco Bay area. They have also made a number of tours to the US East coast, Pacific Northwest, and Southern California, and have been featured at the Almost Heaven and Balance the Bay dance weekends.

Coyote Blue

Coyote Blue uses acoustic instruments and voices to please a variety of music lovers with their unique blend of jazz, bluegrass, classical, swing, ballad, rock, and original tunes. They provide a marvelous mix of vibrant vocals, delightful harmonies, and blazing instrumental solos.

Frank Buffum delivers powerful, yet sensitive vocals and solid guitar. Pete Chen's hot fiddle sends musical sparks flying around the stage. Chris Finn sets a solid pulse on bass, and her clear vocals incite smiles as big as her own. The wonderfully sweet tone of Topher Gayle's Mandonator™ always turns heads, and he also wails on mandolin, mandola, and resonator guitar. Read more about Coyote Blue on their website.

Coyote Blue has howled at venues and events in the San Francisco Bay area, including the Los Altos Rotary Art Show, Wild Iris Folk Festival, Palo Alto Festival of the Arts, Los Altos Festival of the Arts, Stanford Art Museum, and Mission Pizza.

One More Dollar  •  Janet Lenore Band

One More Dollar serves up funny and serious songs, originals, folk and Americana with a wide variety of musical influences. One More Dollar features Janet Lenore on vocals and guitar, Topher Gayle on vocals and resonator mandolin, Jeff Davis on electric bass, and John Bidwell on dobro.

The Janet Lenore Band surfaces when Janet dusts off her electric guitar and hooks up with Jeff Davis on electric bass, Topher Gayle on lead electric guitar, and Rich Dorffi on drums for some serious rock and roll.

Appearances of different configurations have included Big Lil's Cabaret, Berkeley Free Folk Festival, Palo Alto Festival of the Arts, and Mission Pizza.

Uke Be A Lady

Uke Be A Lady plays and sings tunes from the Swing era, Tin Pan Alley and the Jazz Age. Uke Be A Lady is singer/ukulele player Miss Mona Lott (aka Jayme Kelly Curtis) and violinist Miss Wanda McGlove (aka Autumn Hancock). Randy Baton (aka Topher Gayle) joins them on bass and protection.

The band plays in the San Francisco Bay area. Venue appearances have included Planet Cruz Comedy Show, Sunnyvale Cable Access TV, and Mission City Roasting Co.

Twisted Trio

This fun band offers a collage of swing, bluegrass, novelty, "cowgirl," original, and instrumental tunes, and is ripe with wonderful harmony singing. Chris Finn sets the groove on bass and doubles on mandolin. Louisa Knabe saws on fiddle and doubles on bass. Topher Gayle brandishes hot rhythm and solos on guitar, Mandonator™, and tenor banjo.

Twisted Trio plays in the San Francisco Bay area. Venue appearances have included the Campbell Wine Walk, Mission Pizza, and Vintners Festival at Vine Hill Winery.

(Photo by Lore James, Vine Hill Winery)