Whiskey Before Breakfast Band (WBBB) is an Irish folk instrumental group based in Alexandria, Virginia. Comprised of seven talented musicians (including three Celtic dancers), we are a spin-off of another local band, the Irish Breakfast Band, which has been playing Irish music every Saturday morning for the past 40 years. We’ve played live events at local bars and breweries, as well as concerts including the Fairfax County Summer Entertainment Series, Alexandria’s Art on the Avenue Festival, and First Night Alexandria. During COVID, the band began recording YouTube videos and we released our first studio album, Vol. 1: At Home, in December 2022. Find out more about each of our members below!
Meet the Band
Rebekah – fiddle
Rebekah resides in Northern Virginia where she actively performs as both a classically trained vocalist and violinist. Comfortable in a myriad of musical styles, Rebekah is a member of the Monticello String Quartet and performs as a Soprano soloist at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Rebekah has also played in pit orchestras for several theaters in the area, including Sterling Playmakers and The Arlington Players. On occasion, Rebekah dances Appalachian clogging with WBBB, and is always looking for any excuse to pick up a new instrument or compose a new tune. On the weekends, Rebekah spends her time at Irish Breakfast Band, outside in beautiful weather, petting pups, and cooking delicious food. And if Rebekah isn’t out and about in NOVA, she is probably traveling to some place new and exploring the world.
Jannie – fiddle
Words and fun facts
Maggie – fiddle
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Bobby – mandolin, piano, bones
A native of Alexandria, VA, Bobby is active throughout the DC area’s traditional music scene. Having developed firm roots in ragtime, blues, and classical piano styles from a young age, he discovered old-time, Irish, and French-Canadian fiddle music in high school. Around that time, he began playing guitar, mandolin, banjo, and hammered dulcimer. Upon returning to the DC area shortly after college, Bobby joined the Irish Breakfast Band, where he met his fellow members of WBBB. Outside of Irish music, Bobby has played for a wide range of settings including ballet and modern dance classes, gospel choirs, contra dances, and musical theatre productions throughout the mid-Atlantic region. In addition to WBBB, Bobby performs with several groups including the Irish Breakfast Band, Petrichord, the Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra, and the Down State Ramblers.
Abbie – flute, piano, whistle
Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Abbie has been playing piano since before her feet could touch the pedals. Her love of Irish music began when she found a “Celtic Moods” CD in the discount bin at a clothing store. Her favorite color is plaid. When not performing with WBBB, Abbie is an active member of the local theater scene, performing in community productions throughout the DMV. Favorite roles include Abagail Adams in 1776, Marion Paroo in The Music Man, Laurey Williams in Oklahoma! and Mother in Ragtime.
Jonathan – percussion
Jonathan started playing snare drum with the California Consolidated Drum Band, the official fife and drum corps of the State of California. Jonathan grew up playing for parades, historical reenactments and even a Coke-a-Cola commercial. Jonathan moved to the DC area in 2007 where he gave tours of the US Capitol building as a Senate Intern. In 2013, Jonathan joined the Irish Breakfast Band and now can’t stop playing Celtic music. When not playing with the band, Jonathan acts and directs with many local community theaters. Jonathan loves whiskey, his wife and not taking himself too seriously.
Jackie – guitar
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Butch – band manager, wizard
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