The St. John's Riverboat Jazz Band Story

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St. John’s Riverboat Jazz Band, based in Visalia, is a traditional Dixieland jazz ensemble with deep local roots. Established in 1996, the group grew out of the College of the Sequoias’ Tule Basin Jazz Band after the course was discontinued. Founding members Frank Cardoza, Mario Marquez, and Jason Hughes—along with Dennis Mack, Erik Dewhirst, and Buddy Heise—carry forward the spirit of classic Dixieland jazz while infusing it with their own high-energy style

Mario Marquez – Clarinet
A founding member of St. John’s Riverboat Jazz Band, Mario Marquez brings a warm, expressive clarinet sound that helps define the group’s signature style. His passion for traditional jazz and commitment to preserving Dixieland music in the Central Valley have made him a cornerstone of the ensemble since its earliest days.
Mario graduated from Fresno Pacific University with a bachelor’s degree in business and serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Music Department at College of the Sequoias. He is also the store manager at White’s Music Center in Visalia. His musicianship, leadership, and steady presence continue to shape the band’s identity and spirit.

Erik Dewhirst – Trombone

Erik Dewhirst is a Central Valley trombonist from Reedley whose musical roots began with the Reedley High School River Rats. After studying Music Education at CSU Fresno, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a trombonist, serving 15 years as a featured soloist. Following his Marine Corps career and freelance work in San Diego, Erik returned home and now leads five elementary band programs as well as the jazz program at Clovis North High School. He performs with the Joe Lenigan Band, the Fresno Jazz Composers Orchestra, and appears nightly with the San Diego Zoo’s “Chameleons” Band throughout the summer. Playing with St. John’s is especially meaningful to Erik, as it reunites him with his former Reedley band director, Buddy Heise.

Frank Cardoza – Trumpet
Frank Cardoza has been known to play the trumpet off and on for the past 40 years. A graduate of Golden West High School in Visalia and California State University, Fresno, he now spends most of his days serving as the Network Administrator for Woodlake Unified School District. Frank was there when St. John’s Riverboat Jazz Band first took shape—and, as he likes to joke, he’ll probably still be around when it meets its inevitable demise. His dry humor and steady musicianship have been a defining part of the group since day one.

Jason Hughes – Drums
Jason Hughes graduated from Golden West High School and College of the Sequoias. He has spent more than 30 years behind the drum set and has taught percussion at high schools throughout Delano, Visalia, and Woodlake. He currently serves as the percussion instructor at Woodlake High School, where he loves working with students and helping them grow as musicians. In addition to his work with St. John’s, Jason performs with the Move On Down Brass Band and is also an accomplished French horn player. When he’s not gigging or teaching, he’s a devoted family man whose positive energy and steady rhythm are central to the band’s sound.

Buddy Heise – Tuba
Buddy Heise (“Helicon”) brings more than 60 years of tuba experience to the band. A graduate of Fresno Pacific University, Buddy taught music for 40 years and has performed with the Harrisburg Symphony, Tulare Symphony, and Kings Symphony. He has also instructed groups including the Muskrat Ramblers and the South Winery Street Paraders. His lifetime of performing, teaching, and mentoring adds depth, warmth, and authenticity to the band’s sound.

Dennis Mack – Banjo

A Dinuba native, Dennis Mack is a multi-instrumentalist with a lifelong dedication to music education. He holds a degree in Music Education from Fresno State University and spent nearly 40 years teaching band, orchestra, choir, and general music across five school districts in Tulare and Kings counties—including 20 years with Visalia Unified. His broad musical expertise and deep roots in local music communities make him an essential part of the band’s rhythm and character.

Blending traditional Dixieland standards with lively, crowd-pleasing favorites, the St. John’s Riverboat Jazz Band delivers the timeless sound of classic jazz with a fresh and distinctive twist.