Jennifer Jolly & Friends is a multi-generational group of outstanding Bay Area musicians who are also longtime friends, and it shows in their lively onstage camaraderie and banter. Their wildly eclectic original roots music ranges from boogies to ballads, surf to second line, reels to rockers, and heartfelt songs about people and place. Tonight’s show includes special guest “Big B” Ben Buettner, a veteran Bay Area guitarist and vocalist specializing in Western swing and honky tonk music.

JJ&F is:

Jennifer Jolly: piano, melodica, vocals, guitar

Steve Gibson: guitar, mandolin, bass

Jeremy Steinkoler: drums, bodhrán, vocals

Max Butler: pedal steel, guitar, vocals

Nat Butler: bass, fiddle, vocals

With special guest Ben Buettner: guitar, vocals

Jennifer Jolly is a keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, bandleader, and educator specializing in roots music of North America, the Caribbean, and Africa. She is a long-time instructor at the California Jazz Conservatory (Jazzschool), Cazadero Performing Arts Family Camp, after-school programs, and her private studio. She leads Jennifer Jolly & Friends, co-founded The Jolly Gibsons, and currently performs with Pamela Rose’s “Blues is a Woman,” Big B & His Snake Oil Saviors, Token Resistance, and Jean Fineberg’s JAZZphoria and Party Monsters groups. Jennifer guest-performs often with Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Shake It Booty Band, and the Creekside Community Church Worship Band. Previous credits include Zulu Spear, Kotoja, Chelle! & Friends, Barbara Dane, Phil Lesh & The Broken Angels, Hot Links/Carnival, and many more.

Steve Gibson is a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, producer, educator, co-founder of BandWorks and The Jolly Gibsons, and a member of the Cazadero Performing Arts Family Camp leadership team. In addition to JJ&F, Steve performs with Funk Revival Orchestra, Token Resistance, and other local groups.

Jeremy Steinkoler is a drummer and multi-instrumentalist, composer, educator, bandleader, co-founder of BandWorks, and author of “Finding the Groove.” In addition to JJ&F, Jeremy performs with his groups Mo’Fone and The Steinkoler Trio, and The Bonafides, The Sam Rudin Trio, The Erika Oba Trio, and Jean Fineberg & JAZZphoria.

Max Butler is a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, educator, producer, and Worship Pastor at Creekside Community Church in San Leandro. In addition to playing with JJ&F, Max leads the Creekside Worship Band. Previous credits include Chuck Prophet, Red Meat, Bash & Pop, and The Sextants.

Nat Butler is a fiddle player, bassist, guitarist, vocalist, and youth leader and mentor. He currently attends Biola University in La Mirada, CA, working toward a Commercial Music degree. Nat performs in northern CA with JJ&F and the Creekside Worship Band and in Southern CA with West of Texas.

Ben Buettner is a Bay Area guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader specializing in Western swing, honky-tonk, and North American roots music. His performing credits include Big B & His Snake Oil Saviors (bandleader), City Slickers Stage Band (bandleader), Kugelplex, Strings Attached, Rose Garden, and Wasabe.

Tickets are $25 general admission. Children under 12 are free. Advance tickets are available here, or if the show is not sold out, you may purchase your tickets at the door before the show.

Doors open 30 minutes before show time. We accept cash or Venmo only at the door.

The Back Room is an all-ages, BYOB (for those 21+) space, dedicated to (mostly) acoustic music of all kinds. You are welcome to bring your own food and beverages. The venue is ADA accessible. If you need more information or have any questions, please call us: #510-381-1997.

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Thank you for your support!

Please refrain from using your phone during performances, and if you use your camera or video, please disable the flash.

Although masks are no longer required, we strongly encourage their use to keep everyone safe in our intimate space.