Jesters to the Left

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.
Vince departed the band in late 2017, and was replaced by John Brandt (a.k.a “JB”). He stayed with the band until February of 2024, when he retired from his government job and moved out of the area. Original bassist Craig moved to Utah in 2019 to pursue the snowy life of skiing and snowboarding, and Mr. Marc just happened to be the guy in the next cubicle at Mark’s job, so he was asked to join, and was happy to do so!
The Jesters - Version 2.0 (2019-2024). David, JB, Mark, Jeff, Mr. Marc.

JB's departure necessitated a guitar search, but it didn't take long: Marcel and Mr. Marc had played together in a previous band, and Mark and Marcel had crossed paths at weekly jams at Hershey's in Gaithersburg, so it was an easy ask for him to become "Guitarist #2."
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. 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