Discover the Vibrant Sounds of Blue Street Jazz Band
- Linda Amarl
- Sep 4
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Another reason to attend Jazzaffair 2026!
Celebrating its 42nd anniversary in 2025, the band is recognized for its integrity, stability, and professionalism on the Dixieland Jazz Circuit. The band originated in Fresno, California, and its musicians now reside in various locations, including Clovis, Los Angeles, San Diego, Virginia, and New Orleans.
Blue Street Jazz Band is known for being one of the most innovative groups in traditional jazz, incorporating original songs and creative arrangements. While traditional jazz forms their foundation, their eclectic musical taste allows them to proficiently play a variety of styles, including Swing, Mardi Gras, Folk Songs, Marches, Waltzes, Latin Music, and Hymns. They are also capable of performing entire sets dedicated to the music of legendary figures such as Kid Ory, Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, and Louis Armstrong, as well as general jazz history. Audiences particularly enjoy their Sunday morning gospel programs.
At Jazzaffair, their Sunday morning gospel program is featured at Community Presbyterian Church on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
The Blue Street Jazz Band consists of both full-time professional musicians and accomplished part-time players. The current lineup includes:
Dave Ruffner is the leader, trombone player, and vocalist for the Blue Street Jazz Band. He is also a musician who performs with other groups, including the Beignet Orchestra of New Orleans. He can often be found playing on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
Nate Ketner: Reeds, and is considered one of America's best traditional jazz reed players. He is a full-time professional musician in Southern California. He is described as one of the most in-demand reeds players on the circuit. Ketner has also performed with other jazz groups, including the Alcatraz Islanders and Carl Sonny Leyland's Boogie Woogie Boys.
Jason Wanner: Pianist. Jason began playing piano by ear at a young age and started taking formal lessons around his sixth birthday. He became interested in jazz at age 12 when he attended the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Camp, where he was mentored by pianists Johnny Varro and "K.O." Ecklund.
Wanner has a diverse musical background. He is classically trained and has a Bachelor of Music in Classical Piano Performance from California State University, Sacramento. He has also performed with other groups, including the Bob Draga Quartet and the Titan Hot Seven, and has recorded multiple albums. In addition to performing, he also teaches at the same jazz camp he attended as a student and can often be found playing for Disney in Southern California.
Rick Canfield, drums, has been the drummer and vocalist for the Blue Street Jazz Band since 1986. He is described as "the heartbeat of Blue Street." In addition to his work with the band, he taught instrumental music in Fresno for 32 years. He can also be found playing drums, guitar, and Irish fiddle around the Monterey Bay area. He is a retired music teacher who builds stringed instruments.
Sam Rocha: Bass, sousaphone, and tuba. He is a frequent performer on the festival circuit, described as "probably the hardest working man on the festival circuit." In addition to the Blue Street Jazz Band, he is a regular with Tom Rigney's band and is a sought-after bassist for many other groups. He has also performed with the Hot Club of San Francisco and the Ivory Club Boys.
Matt Bottel: Guitar and banjo. He spent time playing banjo in New Orleans and designs computer programs.
Sherri Colby-Bottel: Vocalist, known as the "Siren of the San Joaquin". She is also the Program Director and co-faculty for the International Honors Program/A Program of SIT Study Abroad.
In addition to her musical career, she has a professional background in academia and anthropology. She holds a PhD in cultural anthropology from the University of Virginia and a master's degree in music from California State University, Fresno. She has conducted ethnographic research on traditional jazz music, particularly in post-Katrina New Orleans, and has worked in higher education for over 25 years.
In 2017, she was named musician of the year at the Monterey Jazz Bash at the Bay.
Justin Au: Trumpet. Jason is a freelance jazz trumpeter, arranger, and teacher. He is an alumnus of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society's jazz education programs. Au has a diverse background, having played with numerous groups on the national festival circuit, including the Creole Syncopators, Steelin' Dan, High Sierra JB, Cornet Chop Suey JB, and Cell Block 7. He is also a member of the Au Brothers Jazz Band, which also features his brothers Gordon and Brandon.
Forrest Helmick, the band's founder, passed away in December 2024.
Since the early 1990s, the Blue Street Jazz Band has performed at every major jazz festival in the United States, as well as in Canada, Mexico, and Europe. The band is a perennial favorite at Jazzaffair. The band has recorded twenty-five albums and seven videos. They have also released twenty-four top-selling albums. Their discography includes tracks like "Jumpin' With Symphony Sid," "When the Roll Is Called up Yonder," "Louisiana Fairytale," "The Old Rugged Cross," and "Singin' The Blues."
The Blue Street Jazz Band boasts a lengthy and extensive discography, featuring over twenty-four top-selling albums. Their releases reflect their diverse musical style, which blends traditional Dixieland with other genres like gospel and blues.
Some of their well-known and top-selling albums include:
Past and Present (2016): This album features a mix of different styles, including gospel songs.
Stories & Artifacts (2015)
Home
Now & Then: A two-CD set that includes both new recordings and classics from the band's history.
Just a Closer Walk
25 Years Of The Blue Street Jazz Band Vol. XXXIII
The band's albums are often noted for their original songs and creative arrangements, which contribute to their reputation as "The Bad Boys of Dixieland."
Comments