About the Band
It all started at an Australian-themed jam night in early April 2017, where Mark, a seasoned guitar player from Northern Virginia, crossed paths with Jeff, a charismatic singer who actually WAS from Australia! What began as a casual jam quickly turned into a musical spark — a shared groove, an unspoken connection. By the end of the night, they knew they had something worth building.Over the next few weeks, they tossed around band names, searching for the perfect fit. One person suggested "The Jesters," but there are only 100 different bands with the name Jesters, so they had to get creative. The winner, Jesters to the Left, was a playful nod to one of the first songs they agreed would define their sound, "Stuck in the Middle" by Steeler's Wheel.
With a name in place, the original lineup took shape:
- Jeff -- Vocals & Percussion
- Vince -- Guitars
- Craig -- Bass
- Mark -- Guitars
- Ray -- Drums
The Original Jesters!
The chemistry was undeniable, and our first public performance came on July 29, 2017, at a DC Rockers "Genre Showcase." For that night, we embraced the swagger of Rockabilly, delivering a set that cemented our place on the local scene. But like many bands, Jesters to the Left faced challenges along the way. The biggest? Finding the right drummer. After the passing of their original drummer Ray, the search stretched on for “many moons.” A revolving door of talented players stepped in — Howard, Neal, George, Charlie, Bert, Ivan, and Frank — each leaving their mark but never quite filling the void. That changed when David Meyer joined in 2019, locking in the rhythm and proving his worth.
The most recent (and significant) personnel change occurred in early 2025, when our Lead Jester, Jeff Porter, retired from the government and decided to move out of the area. For the sake of "less disruption" and less down time, Mr. Marc took on the lead vocals while continuing to play bass. The transition has been smooth, and nothing has been lost musically. We still play rockabilly and Elvis and the Stones, and look forward to adding more material to suit the new line-up!
From the humble beginnings of jam nights to the bright lights of the stage, Jesters to the Left has become more than just a local rock band — we have become a brotherhood forged in riffs, rhythm, and the relentless pursuit of the perfect groove. Check out a partial setlist here.
Current Band Members:
 | Mr. Marc | Bass & Lead Vocals |
 | Mark Burton | Guitars |
 | Marcel Belanger | Guitars |
 | David Meyer | Drums |
