Eugene’s first documented organized band. Active years as a band: 1859 – 1872 Active years as an association: 1872 – 1940s? On March 5, 1859 the Eugene City Brass Band (a 14-piece band) gave a concert at the courthouse. A news item in the People’s Press had this to say about the concert: “…Notwithstanding the rain […]
Featured Bands & Musicians
Notary Sojac
Though originally from Tigard, Notary Sojac had strong ties to Eugene and settled here and Springfield in the mid 70’s. – Doug Wilson Genre: From driving rock to jazzy instrumental improv and interplay, to blues and country. Members: Mario Bolivar – Drums Justin Bonner – Drums, Vocals Will Herold – Keyboards Bobb Koski -Rhythm Guitar, Flute, Coronet, Vocals Steve Koski […]
Highwaymen
Genre: Folk Active Years: 1963 – 1964 Home Base: Eugene, Oregon Members Rob Anderson – guitar, banjo, bass, vocals Marc Ellington – guitar, vocals Bill Ayres – bass, banjo, vocals “I played with Marc Ellington (2 years my senior) while a junior at North Eugene for about a year (1963/4). We called ourselves The Highwaymen. Marc […]
Lon Guitarski
The Lon Guitarski Group was a popular jazz fusion band of that era! Active Years: Late 1970s – Genre: Original instrumental jazz fusion Home Base: Eugene, Oregon Members Don Latarski – Guitarist & Co-principal Songwriter Tom Grote – Drums Mark Schneider -Bass Jack Buddeke – Keyboards & Co-principal Songwriter Jeff Kirsch – Woodwinds & Percussion Jeff Homan – Saxophones Lynn […]
Leon Smith and the Basics
Leon Smith and the Basics (1960-1966) Genre: Rockabilly Base Location: Eugene, Oregon Best known for the top 40’s hit song, “Little 40 Ford”. The song, written by Wayne Marshall, was recorded in early 1959 in a Eugene basement studio with an earlier version of the band, The Orbit Rockers. It was released on a local […]
University Orchestra
University Orchestra Active Years: 1893- Members pose with their instruments in 1893. Left to right are Damaris Schofield (later Mrs. Lester Hulin), David Linn, Len Stevens with violin, Charlie Chambers with cello, Emma Dorris, Fletcher Linn, Frederick Dunn with stringed bass, Jesse G. Miller and Mamie Linn. 1910 – 1911 1912 – 1913 […]
Dominions
The Dominions (1964-1967) Genre: Garage rock/punk band Members: Gene Garrett (guitar, lead vocals) Ron Gordon (bass) Frank Nachtman (lead guitar) also played with Small Crowd, and H.B. and The Checkmates Ken Paxton (organ, vocals) also played with Small Crowd John Peters (saxophone) Larry Rodman (drums) Ron Techel (guitar, vocals) The Dominions were formed in 1964 when I […]
Harold Bradford Trio
Harold Bradford Trio (1973-1974) Genre: Blues, Rock Base Location: Eugene, Oregon Members: Harold Bradford – Piano Harry Lassegard – Drums – also played in the Searchin’ Soul blues band (Passed 1979) Keith Doug Skelton – Bass – also played in the Searchin’ Soul Blues Band and Palace Meat Market Celeste Rauchert – Vocals Reid Smeltzer – […]