Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are Sherri Colby and Matt Bottel still in the band?
A. Yes. They have relocated to New Orleans, LA where Sherri is doing research for her doctoral dissertation. Sherri is pursuing her PhD degree in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Virginia. Matt has been able to maintain his job as a computer analyst and works out of their home. Because of time and financial restraints, they will not be able to perform at al the festivals that Blue Street participates in.

Q. Is anyone in the band related to one another?
A. Often time people mistake Sherri as Dave's daughter or even his wife but the only people in the band that are related are Dave and Jason Jurcak. Jason is Dave's step-son.

Q. How did the band get the name "Blue Street"?
A. In 1983 Forrest called Fresno Bee writer Woody Laughnan and asked him if he could participate in a jazz festival that Woody was organizing in Hanford, CA. Woody offered Forrest a chance to organize a band "of young people". With only a few hours before the program went to print, Forrest was asked for the name of his new band. Forrest thought of the popular bands at the time - Fulton Street, and Churchill Street. He definitely wanted "Street" as part of the name. He boiled two choices down to "Dream" and "Blue". Blue won out and thus the band was called the Blue Street Jazz Band.

Q. How many members in the band are music educators?
A. Currently there are three. Dave Ruffner is the Band Director at Fresno High School. Rick Canfield teaches band and general music at Bullard Talent School (K-8). Forrest Helmick is an elementary music teacher in the Central Unified School District.

Q. What has become of reed player Bob Embry?
A. Bob teaches music in the Fresno Unified School District. He plays tenor saxophone and is a member of the Royal Society Orchestra. Bob is a frequent sub in many traditional jazz bands. 

Q. What has become of banjo player Robert Bennett?
A. Robert tired of playing so much on the road and now spends his weekends with his two teenage sons and baby daughter. Robert occasionally plays local gigs with Blue Street.

Q. What has become of tuba player Ed Hull?
A. Ed left Blue Street because he wanted to spend more time with his family. He teaches at Manchester Gate School and is a part-time tuba instructor at Fresno State.

Q. What became of that little piano playing son of Ed's - David Hull?
A. David is a full-time musician in the Fresno and Los Angeles areas playing piano, bass, and trumpet in various groups. David substitutes often in Blue Street when Jason Wanner is not available.

Q. Are Sherri Colby and Matt Bottel married?
A. Yes, they married in September 2001. Sherri and Matt now reside in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Q. What has happened to Jason Jurzak?
A. Jason officially left the band in August 2009. He left the band so he would have more opportunities to perform in his adopted hometown - New Orleans, with various groups including the Loose Marbles. Jason still keeps close ties with the band by assisting in the arranging and recording of the group and substituting when needed.