Yard Sale - The Band

Griff Hamlin. Guitar/Vocals/Leader: Griff has enjoyed a successful and varied career that has spanned nearly 2 decades. His musical styles cover rock, blues, country, jazz, and classical music. In 1998 he attended the prestigious USC Thornton School of Music where he had the opportunity to study and perform with numerous guitar legends. In addition to teaching 40+ students/week, Griff has recorded two solo albums, one of original blues/rock songs in 2000, and one live concert recorded in Krosno, Poland in May of 2004. His first album garnered him an Orange County Music Award nomination for “Best Blues.” In addition, he has performed on countless demo recordings, and several independently released albums, most notably by classical guitarist, Eric Henderson, who once humbly introduced Griff at a concert as “the greatest electric guitarist in the world.” Griff has also done two European tours in support of his own music, and has performed overseas for US troops in Turkey, Italy, and Korea. Griff has also been a regular performer at Disneyland off and on for nearly 10 years, with bands such as Voyager and Crown Five. Griff lives in Corona with his wife, Laura, and their 3 children.

Laura Hamlin. saxophone/Leader: Laura earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Arizona State University, which she attended on a full music scholarship. From there, she immediately began teaching junior high school band in the Tempe area, bringing bands to award-winning levels. In 1997, Laura relocated to California to pursue a second career with the Disneyland Entertainment Division. Having performed at Disney World in Florida as part of the prestigious All-American College Band, she quickly became an Entertainment Stage Manager at Disneyland while continuing to be a successful band and choir teacher in the Upland Unified School District. Laura is currently the Director of Bands and Choirs at El Cerrito Middle School in Corona, where she was recently named the  ’2010-2011 Teacher of the Year” for the CNUSD School District. Laura created and directed the first-ever Corona All-Star Marching Band which proudly marched in both the 2008 and 2009 Corona July 4th parade.  Laura resides in Corona with husband Griff and their 3 boys.

Chris Atchley. Drums: Chris has been a touring musician since 1991. His drumming has taken him to 48  states and 6 foreign countries. He has shared the stage with jazz greats such as Louie Bellson and Maynard Ferguson as well as Grammy Award winners Evanescence just to name a few. Chris has played to tens of thousands from the House of Blues on the sunset strip to soccer arenas in Brazil to the one and only Carnegie Hall in New York. He has recorded with some of the finest in the business including multi-platinum producer of Prince, the Black Crowes, Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty, and Sylvia Massy. In addition, Chris teaches private drum instruction in Corona. Chris currently lives in Corona with his wife and son.

Ted Vautrinot. Bass: Ted is a versatile musician, demonstrating exceptional skill on both bass and guitar and has been performing professionally since 1980. He earned his Bachelor Degree in Music at Cal State Long Beach with an emphasis in Choral/Group Conducting. In fact, Ted recorded the broadcast vocal tracks for the opening/closing ceremonies of the 1984 Olympic Games. His musical training has taken him to many parts of the world and across the United States, including Disneyland, where he performed with Person to Person and Bill Erickson & The Bandits. He has played major events, clubs, casinos, and private affairs throughout Southern California and Las Vegas for more than 15 years. His style and passion for performing is evident in every performance, no matter what venue or purpose.  

Quinton Hufferd. Keyboard:: Pianist Quinton Hufferd was born and raised in San Diego, California and  spent most of his time involved in music in and out of school. He attended the University of Redlands and received a B.A. in English: Creative writing with an emphasis in nonfiction. He has played professionally in avariety of groups including jazz ensembles and other popular local groups such as Big Papa & the TCB (IE), Stars on the Water (San Diego), the Fifth Street Quintet (IE), and the Harlequin Jazz Quartet (IE) for the past several years. His musical influences include Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Dr. John and Gene Harris.

Ken Mengel. Trombone: Ken  graduated from California State University Northridge where he received a Bachelors Degree in Music performance in Trombone. During this time he had the privilege of studying with legendary Trombone greats such as Bill Booth, Roy Main, and Alex Iles. He currently freelances as a professional Trombone player as well as a music copyist and arranger. He has and continues to play in many groups encompassing a wide variety of musical styles throughout Southern California including the Crystal Cathedral Hour of Power Orchestra, Cypress Pops Orchestra, Infinity Brass Quintet, as well as performing at Disneyland in such groups as the Magic Kingdom Korps and Holiday Pep Band. Other playing opportunities he has had include over 20 musicals as well as local studio work including recording with legendary Rapper and Record Producer Dr. Dre on several projects.   As an educator he holds a teaching credential from California State University Northridge in secondary education. He has worked with numerous schools throughout Southern California. His most recent teaching assignment was working for 10 years as the Assistant Director at Granada Hills High School Music Academy from 1995 to 2005. Aside from the classroom he has also taught privately for over 15 years. Currently, he coaches at local schools, does clinics, and does concert and field adjudication for festivals throughout Southern California.  Ken, and wife Helen, have two beautiful boys and reside in the SoCal area. 

Michael Gaughan. Trumpet:: Mike Gaughan has been performing on trumpet with a variety of bands  throughout Southern California for over 25 years. Mike earned a B.A. from Long Beach State, and an M.A. from Southern Oregon University. Mike’s private students have performed with every honor band in SouthernCalifornia, in the State Honor Band, at Disneyland, and in the Rose Parade Honor Band Herald Trumpets. He has performed at the Hollywood Bowl, Orange County Performing Arts Center, with the Golden State British Brass Band, and the Promenade Brass Quintet. Mike performed at Disneyland in parades and as a member of the Magic Kingdom Korps, and has performed for over 40 musical theater productions for several different companies. For a day job (and good retirement benefits), Mike is the band director at Centennial High School in Corona, CA. Currently, Mike resides in Chino Hills with his wife and two children.