Remembering Ray Wood • 1942 - 2024
Thanks to everyone who was able to make it to Ray’s memorial in January. Thanks to those who sent kind thoughts and words from afar, especially thanks to everyone who traveled from afar to be there at the Olympia Eagles.
What began as one big jam continued until there was music in every corner of the hall blending with the consistent flow of cheerful conversation as we all honored our own memories of Ray.
A photo remembrance of Ray, including photos displayed at the memorial, is now available as a slideshow: https://photos.app.goo.gl/RoSJCVLUSbeXQzf7
As mentioned before, another memorial celebration will be held in Weiser, Idaho during the third full week in June to celebrate Ray’s life once again at the annual music event he loved the most: the National Old-Time Fiddle Contest with perpetual jamming all around the campgrounds and especially in a special place called Stickerville. The organization’s website explains how Stickerville is owned and operated by a non-profit comprised of volunteers, and right on top of the page is a link to support the Ray Wood Memorial & Scholarship Fund.
Read more about Ray and our experiences together on our Remembering Ray Wood page.

Listen to the full 2003 Hot Club Sandwich album: Digga Digga Do
Now streaming on all major services like Pandora (link here) and Spotify (link here)
Hot Club Sandwich
More than twenty years ago, hot-jazz string band Hot Club Sandwich formed in Olympia, WA after a chance meeting on a front porch. Each band member offers compositions and arrangements, with instrumentation featuring guitars, bass, violin, mandolin and drums. Everyone in the band sings. The fifth Hot Club Sandwich recording, No Pressure (2018), features a guest appearance by master mandolinist David Grisman. Joseph Mascorella delivered an outstanding performance on No Pressure, see our page devoted to Remembering Joseph Mascorella.

In 2023, Hot Club Sandwich is still led by four core founding members who have played together for over 20 years: Kevin Conor on guitar, James Schneider on bass, Matt Sircely on mandolin, and Tim Wetmiller on violin. In performance, the ensemble often grows to include members of the band’s extended music community, and Hot Club Sandwich is always happy to furnish a quintet or sextet.
We congratulate Ray Wood on his retirement after 70 years on the bandstand. Ray joins us in mourning the tragic passing of Joseph Mascorella due to unexpected illness in October, 2022. Joseph’s salient vocals and brilliant drumming continue to shine our most recent recording . We hold his memory in our hearts every single day.
Visit the ‘Concerts‘ page to see information about upcoming shows. Visit the ‘Contact‘ page to subscribe for the email list. HCS is on Facebook.