Essex Park and Recreation Summer Concert Series: Leaf Jumpers

The Leaf Jumpers – The band was formed in the fall of 1995 out of the ashes of Quatrain, a high school/college band that singer/guitarist Chris Marra had formed in 1989. When the band ended, both Chris and current bass player Spike Kingsley and drummer Mat Pickering were still interested in playing together. Within a few months, they had formed Leaf Jumpers with Chris and Mat’s neighbor Jon Hebert on guitar. That lineup lasted through the winter until early in 1996 when guitarist Matt Bureau joined the band.

In 1996 the band recorded a demo tape (yes we said tape) of 6 songs which would eventually be released to the public in a limited run. During this time Mat Pickering left the band and was replaced by Steve Clay, then drummer Scott Pezsko. This lineup for Marra, Kingsley, Bureau, and Pezsko would be the classic lineup of the band from 1997-1999. During this time the band played shows up and down the East Coast, from Maine to Georgia. Playing at some of the country’s best venues, including Toad’s Place in New Haven, The Wetlands in New York City, and the Georgia Theater in Athens, GA. They also released their debut CD, Z’ilo Down.

The CD included many concert staples, including Melissa’s Parlor, Begin Again, Ride, and Captain’s Tale, a fan favorite that is still popular today. During this time the band shared the stage with several of the nation’s top jam acts, including Sister Hazel, Deep Banana Blackout, Max Creek, From Good Homes, Disco Biscuits, NRBQ, Rustic Overtones, God Street Wine, Percy Hill, and many more. The band even played a festival show with a then-unknown Godsmack!