MARTY EGGERS (bass) b. Los Angeles, CA 1966. Started on piano as a youngster; became hooked on ragtime and composed his first rag, "Front St. Rag," in 1982. Influenced by New Orleans and San Francisco style bands that played around the Bay Area in the '70s and '80s. Organized the Front St. Wanderers in 1984 and was instrumental in formation of the Sacramento Ragtime Society. Took up string bass in 1989.
Band credits include Bo Grumpus, Rebecca Kilgore's Swing Cats, Black Diamond Blue Five, Clint Baker's New Orleans Jazz Band, Silver Leaf Jazz Band and the Roadrunners. Currently he works with the Yerba Buena Stompers, Butch Thompson Trio, Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, Tichenor Family Trio and as a soloist at Pier 23 in San Francisco. Editor of the FRISCO CRICKET (San Francisco Traditional Jazz Foundation) and continues to be active in the Sacramento Ragtime Society.
HAL SMITH (drums) b. Indianapolis, IN 1953. Took up drums in 1963; influenced by live performances of Ben Pollack, Nick Fatool a.o. Studied with Jake Hanna in 1983. Played with
Dukes of Dixieland, Jim Cullum's Jazz Band, Wilber-Davern Summit Reunion, Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band, Salty Dogs, Climax Jazz Band, Grand Dominion Jazz Band, South Frisco Jazz Band,
Scott Hamilton, Ralph Sutton; led several bands including theRoadrunners with Rebecca Kilgore. Made over 150 recordings; broadcasts on RIVERWALK and A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION; his drumming is heard on the soundtrack of Ken Burns' JAZZ. Hal is Administrative and Media Director of America's Finest City Jazz Society; contributing writer to MISSISSIPPI RAG, AMERICAN RAG, JAZZ RAMBLER, JUST JAZZ (U.K.) and plays with Bob Schulz's Frisco Jazz Band, New Orleans Wanderers, Bobby Gordon Sextet, Butch Thompson Trio, The Cash King, Big Rig Deluxe and leads Hal's Angels & Blue Voo.
