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| Meet the Band |
Al Tovar
Percussionist
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Al fills many roles for West Bay Rhythm. He is our Conga player, MC, band manager, and promoter. Al would also be our singer, lead guitarist, and solo trumpet if we’d let him. Al started his musical career with the City Limits in the 60's and there’s been no stopping him ever since. He loves what he does and he is proud of the musicians he plays with and promotes. "Since I couldn't book the Beatles, these guys are the next best thing". Now that's love. |
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Christine Noble
Vocals
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Our newest member, Christine, has been singing professionally for over 10 years. Currently, she sings with the popular band Above the Law, the blues band eBlues, and West Bay Rhythm. She was recruited into West Bay Rhythm by our Bass player, Jimmy, and we were so blown away at her first rehearsal with the band that we’re now adding songs for her as fast as we can! Ms. Noble recently earned her Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Voice at San Jose State University. |
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Toby Garza
Guitar
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Toby Garza started West Bay Rhythm with childhood friend Ken Nelson more than 10 years ago and he thinks that this is our most talented lineup yet. Toby's jaw-dropping solos are the talk of the town - listen to his solo on 25 or 6 to 4, and you’ll know exactly what we mean! Toby is also an assistant coach for the College of San Mateo softball team. |
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Jimmy Stewart
Bass
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Jimmy is the bass player of West Bay Rhythm. He looks tougher than nails and he has the tattoos and street smarts to back it up, but get past that intimidating exterior and you’ll find that he’s one of the gentlest, most genuine people you’ll ever have the pleasure to meet. Jimmy is never happier than he is while onstage doing his little dance and laying down a funky groove. Jimmy also plays bass with vocalist Christine Noble in Above the Law. |
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Chris Alcobendas
Drums
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Quiet Chris has been playing the drums for jazz and big bands for over 24 years. He has played with West Bay Rhythm since 2001. Chris is also an accomplished marksman and shoots his .45 competitively. |
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Ken Nelson
Keyboard/Vocals
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WBR lead vocalist Ken, former member of M.O.B. and Prophecy, started several other bands with Toby (lead guitar) before starting WBR. His passions include Corvettes and his Victory motorcycle. |
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Mark Heckman
Sax/Arrangements
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Mark Heckman is an extraordinary gentleman with a long list of accomplishments both in and outside of music. He currently plays saxophone in WBR, the UC Berkeley Alumni Jazz Band, and the Skyline Jazz Band, and also writes most of the arrangements for WBR. His most impressive musical accomplishments, however, came as a member of Lake Tahoe house bands while finishing his engineering degree at UN Reno. During that time, Mark played with countless legends, including Stan Kenton, Don Ellis, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, and even Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, the great Frank Sinatra. Mark has also won 3 championships as a race car driver, volunteers as an engineer for races including the Long Beach Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500, and has been married for 37 years. |
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Dennis Marenberg
Sax
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Dennis, a University of Michigan grad, plays sax in the UC Berkeley Alumni Jazz Band and the West Bay Community Band, in addition to WBR. He is an IT Analyst and proud father who sometimes brings his daughter into rehearsals to jam with his bands and keep the music going. Dennis also covers second base for his softball team. |
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Tony Serrano
Sax
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Tony Serrano has been performing in the key of B flat for over 2 decades. He has worked with many community theater groups including Broadway by the Bay, and Pacifica Spindrift Players, among others. Tony also performs with the UC Berkeley Alumni Jazz Band and the Joe Ferrari Big Band. Tony's father was Latin percussionist John Serrano. |
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Lee Cahalan
Lead Trumpet
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Lee does it all, from a concerto in a church to bebop madness, but he earns his keep in WBR with wild solos and screaming high notes. His enormous talent has been nurtured over the course of 44 years playing the trumpet, especially during the ‘70s and ‘80s, when he was a touring musician. Nevertheless, he has often said that none of those bands possessed half the talent or polish that WBR brings to the table night in and night out. Lee finally got to meet his idol, Maynard Ferguson, in 2003. Maynard should be honored to have such a talented admirer, because when Lee plays, people listen. |
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Russ Renzas
Trumpet
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Russ, the youngest member of the band, is only 27, but he has played trumpet for 16 years. He learned the ropes playing college balls at Oxford University with a big band called The Donut Kings, prior to finishing his degree at Princeton. He recently completed his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at UC Berkeley. Russ can also be heard playing with the UC Berkeley Alumni Jazz Band. |
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Paul Seibel
Trombone
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This native San Franciscan and die-hard Giants fan has been involved with music in the Bay Area nearly all his life. Paul has been married for 36 years and enjoys photography and literature. He is also the director of the UC Berkeley Alumni Jazz Band. |
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