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The Coyote Hills Jazz Band is composed of seven experienced and versatile musicians (a six-piece band with a vocalist) many of whom are former band leaders. They perform the music they enjoy most -- traditional Dixieland jazz, blues and more from the early 1900s. Yes, tunes associated with Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and Irving Berlin. The band's repertoire boasts more than 500 songs as heard on the concert stage, in saloons, in dance halls, and along the New Orleans waterfront.

Together, the band's members represent over 200 years of musical experience that includes appearances at major jazz festivals, in nightclubs, and on radio and television. Their active following has grown steadily and covers a 200-mile radius. Dancers, listeners, and other musicians love their high-spirited sound and contagious good time.

This highly entertaining band performs regularly throughout Southern California. They appeared weekly under a long-term contract at Spaghetti Station in Anaheim, until it closed, and typically make more than 100 appearances annually at public and private events and on TV. Their recordings have sold worldwide and have received significant praise. A media jazz columnist recently described the Coyote Hills Jazz Band as a "band that plays music to your taste."

The band's members include (click photo for large view):

Gene Marklevits - Leader, Trumpet. Gene, the spirited trumpet and fluglehorn player, provides the heartbeat and spark which drives the band. His musical experiences and background have prepared him well for this important role with the CHJB. He came from a musical family, started trumpet at age ten, played in dance bands while in high school, had his own band in college, and went on "the road" summers. After college, where he earned a degree in music, he joined the U.S. Army Band. Later, during his music teaching career, he acquired a master's degree in music. After operating his own business, Gene came to California and started playing jazz again. As the CHJB leader, his contributions are an integral part of the success of the band. He is an excellent vocalist too! Just ask him to sing "Melancholy Baby".

George Gibbs - Trombone, Business Manager. George was born in Denver, Colorado into a musical family and spent the first five years fo his life "on the road". His father played piano and organ in 48 states. George started playing alto sax, but grew tired of it because he had to buy the reeds himself. Trombone was cheaper, so he's been playing it ever since. After finishing a B.A. degree in music in Colorado, a master's degree in music at the University of Texas, he then arrived in California and pursued a public school music teaching career. He is in great demand as a trombonist and his resume includes numerous big name bands. However, his first love is dixieland jazz. He resides in Santa Ana, California with his wife, Susan.

Brooks Coleman - Reeds. A native Californian, Brooks started playing the violin, switched to the clarinet and then added saxophone. During the Korean War he joined the Air Force Band, and later earned a degree in music at UC Santa Barbara, a master's degree at Cal Poly, and a doctorate at the University of Southern California where he became an adjunct professor. He also pursued careers as a music teacher, school principal, and school district superintendent. A few years ago he attended a meeting of the Society for the Preservation of Dixieland Jazz and was inspired to get his clarinet out of storage and, after a 25-year hiatus, was soon happily wailing away at the SPDJ meetings. He has recently served three years as president of that society. He lives in Riverside with his wife, Jill.

Art Levin - Tuba. Art has held the tuba position with the CHJB since it was founded ten years ago. His creative approach provides not only a solid rhythmic anchor for the band, but a melodic line which enhances the chord changes. After serving the U.S. Army as a combat engineer during WWII, he returned to his home in New Jersey and worked as a trumpeter in the New York area. He says that he switched to the tuba when he found out that it held more beer! After moving to L.A. in 1950, he pursued a successful musical career with various bands. In 1965 he bacame the Principal Animal Keeper at the L.A. City Zoo. He states that it was easy to go from working with musicians to working with other animals. Other interests include flying (which ceased when the Cessna fell apart), driving a 1966 Mercedes, a 1987 Porsche 944, a 1969 Porsche 912, and a 1959 TR-3 roadster that belongs to his wife Gina.

Don Hooker - Drums. Don is a charter member of the band and is onf of the more popular musicians - at least he usually draws the most applause when introduced or soloing. He provides the solid rhythmic anchor necessary for the integrity of the rhythm section and the rest of the band. His exciting solos are legendary. He actually plays the tune on the drums and you know where he is at all times (the rest of the band appreciates this so that they know where to com in after a solo.) Don, a native of Ohio, began his musical career there before going to Georgia, Arkansas, and finally Hollywood. He is still a Hollywood resident and enjoys being on the scene. CHJB is fortunate to have the great Don Hooker on drums.

Jack Sodikoff - Piano. Jack Sodikoff, the band's newest member, brings a high level of talent, musicianship and enthusiasm to the band. He has done it all! Music degree, public school music teacher, band leader, arranger, piano performer, vocalist, and musical director for numerous theater shows. A native of Los Angeles, he earned his B.A. music degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and master's degree from Cal Poly Pomona. His intense loyalty to UCLA is very evident in that he plays frequently with the alumni band at the Rose Bowl and other locations. Jack is retired from the Baldwin Park Unified School District and still serves as a consultant and piano accompanist for choral and instrumental groups when needed. Jack and his wife, Gail, have two sons, three grandchildren and live in Covina.

Evie Fiorani - Vocals. Evie started singing with dance bands in Detroit as a teenager. She majored in music at the University of Michigan, then moved to Los Angeles where she appeared in many musical comedies with several theater groups. Evie has appeared as featured vocalist with Big Bands, Jazz Groups, and her own band, at various Jazz Clubs around Southern California, Los Vegas, and Arizona. Zan Stewart from the LA Times wrote "Evelyn Fiorani has a way with jazz, even the younger crowd turns out for her takes on jazz classics and more."