THE RASPBERRY JAM BAND

Formed in December 2005, the Raspberry Jam Band has become part of the music scene in the Sacramento, Sierra Foothills and Bay Area. They have participated in the Ragtime Corner of the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, the West Coast Ragtime Festival, the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society, Music for Humanity, Music on the Divide, and the Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival as well as many other venues.

Interested in playing diverse works from classical music to contemporary music, the group's byword is variety. Eclectic in nature, the Raspberries especially seek out obscure or seldom performed rags and early jazz. They also like to feature the works of various contemporary composers including those of their pianist, Tom Brier. The addition of slide whistles, kazoos, costuming and props add an element of whimsy to their performances.

Numerous videos of the group are available on youtube.com

BAND MEMBERS Tom Brier is a nationally- and internationally-known ragtime pianist. He has made multiple CDs and has composed over 240 pieces of music some of which are played by the RJB and many of which are features on their latest CD, Raspberries in the Brier Patch..

Julia Riley plays flute, piccolo and bass flute with the RJB. She has been active in many ensembles including a woodwind quintet, a flute choir, a flute quartet and a flute trio all groups she has been instrumental in forming.

Cheryl Woldseth plays violin with the RJB . She is a music teacher, plays in an international handbell choir and is director of the Nevada County Concert Band.

John Massey is a well-known guitarist in Northern California. He collaborates with many other musicians and performs frequently as a soloist. He also composes, his composition You Didn’t Say I’d Cry is featured of the RJB’s latest recordingRaspberries in the Brier Patch.

Doug Davies plays multiple instruments. He plays string bass and sometimes clarinet with the RJB. He is a well-known, busy musician who plays with multiple groups in the Northern California area.