BanjerDan: Musician/Entertainer/Storyteller/Teacher
About BanjerDan
About BanjerDan
BanjerDan (Dan Mazer) is a banjo player/multi-instrumentalist based in Santa Cruz, CA. His music is an Americana mix, rooted in straight-ahead Bluegrass and branching out to include folk, country, blues, oldies, and children's music. Available for Performances, Workshops, Lessons and Children's Music and Private Parties.
BIO
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
(All shows are BanjerDan solo unless otherwise noted.)
Saturday, 8/2/25, 1:00 PM
La Vie Dansante Winery, 6500 Brem Lane, Gilroy, CA 95020; (408) 852-0779 • https://LaVieDansanteWines.com/
“We’re unpretentious, fun, and strive to provide a setting where you can relax and unwind from the stress of today’s world. We have an air-conditioned tasting room, a French-styled courtyard, and a tropical lanai for your tasting enjoyment. We are pet friendly, and child tolerant. This is an alcohol serving establishment and for the comfort and safety of all of our guests children must remain under close parental supervision at all times.”
Saturday, 8/2/25, 6:00 PM
Private event, Felton, CA
Wednesday, 8/6/25, 11:00 AM
I'll be performing some "Music for Children (and Other Young People)" for "Camp Caltrain" at the Santa Clara Caltrain Station. Of course, I'll be playing lots of train songs for the whole family!
https://eventbrite.com/.../camp-caltrain-tickets.../
“Camp Caltrain Introduces Kids to the Wonderful World of Rail!
Caltrain will host Camp Caltrain on Wednesday, Aug. 6, offering parents a fun, free rail-themed family event at Santa Clara Station. The event will feature the South Bay Historical Railroad Society’s model railroad, free shaved ice from Kona Ice, arts, crafts, face painting, and complimentary swag from Bay FC.
https://caltrain.com/.../camp-caltrain-introduces-kids.../
The event, which will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., is part of Caltrain's summer "Go Explore" campaign, a series of events at Caltrain Stations in order to attract more riders to the system.”
Friday, 8/8/25, 6:00 PM
Banjo workshop at The 31st Annual Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, Tres Pinos, CA
“The 31st Annual Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival 2025 will be held August 7-10, 2025.
The festival takes place on the second weekend in August at San Benito County Historical Park, just south of Hollister. The GOF is kid friendly, with a Kids on Stage program for budding bluegrass musicians and a wonderful volunteer-staffed crafts and activities corral next to the audience area.”
Saturday, 8/9/25, 11:00 PM
Eric Burman’s Brookdale Bluegrass Band and “BanjerDan’s DangerJam” at The 31st Annual Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, Tres Pinos, CA
After the Main Stage shuts down on Saturday night, please join me and The Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival’s founder, Eric Burman, in the Dance Hall for a late-night show and jam session! Eric will kick things off with some choice original songs with his Brookdale Bluegrass Band, which includes autoharp superstar Tina Louise Barr, and local journeyman musician BanjerDan (Dan Mazer) on banjo, mandolin, and dobro. Then musicians from the Main Stage bands as well as pickers from the audience, will be invited to join the band for an impromptu, on-stage pickin’ party known as “BanjerDan’s DangerJam”!
“The 31st Annual Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival 2025 will be held August 7-10, 2025.
The festival takes place on the second weekend in August at San Benito County Historical Park, just south of Hollister. The GOF is kid friendly, with a Kids on Stage program for budding bluegrass musicians and a wonderful volunteer-staffed crafts and activities corral next to the audience area.”
Thursday, 8/14/25, 7:00 PM
"Java Jam" at Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company
I'll be playing guitar for the "Java Jam" at Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company!
The Java Jam is an invitational jam session that takes place at Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company every Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Both amateur and professional Bluegrass musicians submit their names and respective instruments, and an algorithm puts together a different “band” each week!
The lineup for August 14th is:
Guitar: Dan Mazer (BanjerDan)
Banjo: Dave Magrum
Mandolin: Alan Bond
Dobro: Dave Mintun
Bass: Mimi Hills
To learn more about the “Java Jam” and other invitational Bluegrass events in the Bay Area, check out: http://jambot.org/
Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, 101 W. Main St., Los Gatos, CA 95030; (408) 354-3263 • lgcrc.com/
"LOS GATOS COFFEE ROASTING COMPANY has been specializing in sourcing and roasting the finest coffees of the world since its inception in 1982. Additionally, the coffeehouse is known as the central gathering place for locals to enjoy coffee, conversation and camaraderie.
"As an independent craft roaster pioneering in the specialty coffee industry, Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company is known for setting high-quality standards with its award-winning coffees. In addition, the coffeehouse features award winning local mountain wines, craft beers and live music and entertainment on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm to 9pm."
Thursday, 8/21/25, 7:00 PM
"Java Jam" at Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company
I'll be playing guitar for the "Java Jam" at Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company!
The Java Jam is an invitational jam session that takes place at Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company every Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Both amateur and professional Bluegrass musicians submit their names and respective instruments, and an algorithm puts together a different “band” each week!
The lineup for August 21st is:
Guitar: John Kornhauser
Banjo: Dan Mazer (BanjerDan)
Mandolin: TBA
Fiddle: Gail Reese
Bass: TBA
To learn more about the “Java Jam” and other invitational Bluegrass events in the Bay Area, check out: http://jambot.org/
Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, 101 W. Main St., Los Gatos, CA 95030; (408) 354-3263 • lgcrc.com/
"LOS GATOS COFFEE ROASTING COMPANY has been specializing in sourcing and roasting the finest coffees of the world since its inception in 1982. Additionally, the coffeehouse is known as the central gathering place for locals to enjoy coffee, conversation and camaraderie.
"As an independent craft roaster pioneering in the specialty coffee industry, Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company is known for setting high-quality standards with its award-winning coffees. In addition, the coffeehouse features award winning local mountain wines, craft beers and live music and entertainment on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm to 9pm."
Friday, 8/22/25, 2:30 PM
Mountain Market on Summit Road, 23845 Summit Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95033
“Join us for fresh & local food, art, & more every Friday from May to October, 2:30pm-6:30pm!”
https://facebook.com/.../Mountain-Market-on-Summit-Rd.../
https://instagram.com/mountain_market_/
August 25-September 1, 2025
BURNING MAN
Friday, 9/5/25, 8:00 PM (with A Banjo Makes 3)
The Wave Lounge presents an evening of “hot pickin’, heartfelt songs, and humorous commentary” by BanjerDan, with special guests: A Banjo Makes 3!
A Banjo Makes 3
“Group of rag-tag misfits, plucking and picking their way with Bluegrass as their weapon of choice.”
https://facebook.com/ABanjoMakes3/
Wave Lounge, Blue Lake Casino, 777 Casino Way, Blue Lake, CA 95525; (877) 252-2946 • bluelakecasino.com/
“Located just five miles east of Arcata, California, and just seconds off Highway 299, Blue Lake Casino Hotel is easy to find and centrally located in Humboldt County on California's world renowned Redwood Coast! Located in the center of the casino, Wave Lounge is a unique venue that blends the sophistication and class of a night club with the relaxed atmosphere of a local bar.”
9/24/25, 4:00 PM
Wildcat Mountain Ramblers at Santana Row Famers’ Market, San Jose, CA
I'll be playing mandolin with The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers at The Santana Row Farmers’ Market on Wednesday, September 25th, at 4:00 PM.
The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers are Robert and Suzanne Cornelius on banjo and bass, with guitarist Alex Mayers and a rotating cast of hot pickers on mandolin and fiddle. Throughout it all they feature fun and spontaneous performances of high-energy Bluegrass and beyond. Requests, audience participation, dancing, joy, laughter, and even tears. Y'all come!”
https://facebook.com/wildcatmountainramblers/
Santana Row Farmers’ Market, 377 Santana Row, San Jose, CA, 95128; 408.551.4611 • https://santanarow.com/event/farmers-market/
“The Santana Row Farmers' Market features local farmers from Gilroy, Hollister, Watsonville, and Santa Cruz. This family friendly weekly event brings together farmers, food producers and shoppers. We are proud to be in the heart of the San Jose community bringing hundreds together Wednesday afternoons, 4pm-8pm, May thru September. This site is graciously provided by Santana Row."
https://cafarmersmkts.com/santanarow-farmers-market/
Friday, 10/3/25, 2:30 PM
Mountain Market on Summit Road, 23845 Summit Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95033
“Join us for fresh & local food, art, & more every Friday from May to October, 2:30pm-6:30pm!”
https://facebook.com/.../Mountain-Market-on-Summit-Rd.../
https://instagram.com/mountain_market_/
Saturday, 10/25/25, 9:00 AM
Saratoga Farmers’ Market (BanjerDan solo)
Saratoga Farmers’ Market, West Valley College, Parking Lot 3, Fruitvale Ave & Career Way, Saratoga, CA 95070
“Held at West Valley Community College, the Saratoga Certified Farmers’ Market offers seasonal fruits and vegetables from Santa Clara County year-round in the parking lot.”
http://cafarmersmkts.com/saratoga-farmers-market/
Saturday, 11/1/2025, 9:00 AM
The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers at The Saratoga Farmers’ Market, Saratoga, CA (BanjerDan on mandolin)!
The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers are Robert and Suzanne Cornelius on banjo and bass, with guitarist Alex Mayers and a rotating cast of hot pickers on mandolin and fiddle. Throughout it all they feature fun and spontaneous performances of high-energy Bluegrass and beyond. Requests, audience participation, dancing, joy, laughter, and even tears. Y'all come!”
https://facebook.com/wildcatmountainramblers/
https://facebook.com/wildcatmountainramblers/
Saratoga Farmers’ Market, West Valley College, Parking Lot 3, Fruitvale Ave & Career Way, Saratoga, CA 95070
“Held at West Valley Community College, the Saratoga Certified Farmers’ Market offers seasonal fruits and vegetables from Santa Clara County year-round in the parking lot.”
http://cafarmersmkts.com/saratoga-farmers-market/
Sunday 11/23/25, 9:00 AM
Los Gatos Certified Farmers' Market (BanjerDan solo)
Los Gatos Certified Farmers’ Market, Town Park Plaza, Main Street & N. Los Gatos Ave., Los Gatos, CA 95033
“Held in Downtown Los Gatos at the Town Park Plaza on Main Street & N. Santa Cruz Avenue, the Los Gatos Certified Farmers’ Market offers seasonal fruits and vegetables from Santa Clara County year-round.”
http://cafarmersmkts.com/losgatos-farmers-market/
12/20/25, 9:00 AM
Morgan Hill Farmers’ Market, Morgan Hill, CA (BanjerDan solo)
BanjerDan (Dan Mazer) brings his banjo to the Morgan Hill Farmers' Market on Saturday, January 20th, 2024, at 9:00 PM. for a fun-filled day of"Music for Children and Other Young People!"
http://cafarmersmkts.com/morgan-hill-farmers-market/
Sunday, 12/21/25, 9:00 AM
Mountain View Farmers’ Market, Mountain View, CA (BanjerDan solo)
Mountain View Caltrain Station, 600 West Evelyn Ave., Mountain View, CA 94041
https://cafarmersmkts.com/mountain-view-farmers-market/