Logo

Upcoming Performances

Mar 21, 2026

07:00 PM

May 09, 2026

09:30 AM

Jul 14, 2026

06:45 PM

Jul 30, 2026

05:30 PM

Aug 09, 2026

12:00 PM

Aug 15, 2026

05:30 PM

Aug 16, 2026

04:00 PM

Sep 12, 2026

09:30 AM

About The CoolTones

The CoolTones Big Band is a complete "big band", with 5 saxes, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, and a rhythm section (piano, bass, guitar, drums, auxiliary percussion), and of course a vocalist or two. The Band was founded in 1997. Since then, we have performed over 150 times as part of a variety of festivities including weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, corporate parties and grand openings, festivals, winery events, non-profit fundraisers, and other public and private events.

Our 18 musicians and vocalists are all East Bay residents and most of us have "real" lives outside of the Band. Many of our members also perform with other groups. Go to the Meet the Players section to learn more about our band members' other performing groups.

Find us on Facebook at: The CoolTones Big Band

Meet the Players

Drums icon
Drums

Nancy Geimer

Aux Percussion icon
Aux Percussion

Michael Tully-Cintron

Trumpet 2 icon
Trumpet 2

Thomas DaSilva

Trumpet 1 icon
Trumpet 1

John Escalera / Dan Towson

Trumpet 3 icon
Trumpet 3

Robert Branco

Trumpet 4 icon
Trumpet 4

Carlos Mendez

Piano icon
Piano

Dwight Stone

Bass icon
Bass

Cayford Burrell

Guitar icon
Guitar

Tim Foley

Trombone 2 icon
Trombone 2

Jeff Smurthwaite

Trombone 1 icon
Trombone 1

Chris Lawton

Trombone 3 icon
Trombone 3

J. T. Happ

Trombone 4 icon
Trombone 4

Paul Kyle

Vocal icon
Vocal

Kathy Blackburn

Tenor Sax 1 icon
Tenor Sax 1

Dave Yeagly

Alto Sax 2 icon
Alto Sax 2

Jon Elliot

Alto Sax 1 icon
Alto Sax 1

Benjamin Benavides

Tenor Sax 2 icon
Tenor Sax 2

Lynne Schonder

Bari Sax icon
Bari Sax

Les Duman

Booking

Interested in having the CoolTones Big Band as part of your next big event?

We are very accommodating and will always make your events more memorable, particularly if your guests like to dance!

Our rates are very reasonable and we often can be less costly than a DJ! Along with music, we can provide emcee services, help coordinating your event logistics, and we can provide smaller combos if it best meets your needs.

Call or e-mail for more details:

Les Duman
Phone: 510-305-6396
Les@theCoolTones.org

Music

With over 200 tunes to choose from, the CoolTones Big Band can be ready for any type of event. Choose from Jazz, Swing, Latin, American Song Book, and a bit of Blues, Funk, Rock, R&B, Pop, and novelty tunes. Here is a sampling of a few of our past recordings.

Photos

IMG_20150303_201213_889.jpg
1 / 41