Meet The Band
DOUG SIMON
Raised in Washington Heights, NYC, Doug was the music teacher at P.S. 108 in East Harlem for 7 years before moving to San Diego. He founded the Night Owls in 2000 and sings and plays rhythm guitar & trombone. He retired in 2018 after teaching music in Vista Unified for 28 years.
JODIE HALL
This extraordinary bassist has been a musician since age 12 and is still going strong. She attended Berklee School of Music in Boston and then began playing professionally. She spent 30 years in New York City, working in the jingle and recording business and performing all over the NYC area in nightclubs, weddings and country clubs, playing rock, Top 40, and jazz. In 2010, she moved to San Diego and now plays with Whitney Shay, the blues and R&B/soul headliner, three 16-piece big bands, a gypsy jazz band and various other music projects of multiple genres. The Night Owls are proud to have her in the band.
ERNIE ENCINAS
Hailing from Los Angeles, Ernie discovered his passion for music at age 9, guided by his grandfather’s musical mentorship who was also a saxaphonist. Serving 22 years in the Navy Band as a saxophonist and singer, Ernie toured South America, West Africa and beyond, sharing his soulful melodies with audiences worldwide. In addition to playing with the Night Owls, he has toured with many professional groups in San Diego, including Tito Puente Jr. and Manny Cepeda.
JIM LEWIN
Raised in Queens, NY, Jim played professionally in his early 20s as the guitarist for the lead singer of the doo-wop group the Impalas. While going for his law degree, Jim mastered the complicated guitar solos of Duane Allman, Eric Clapton, Mark Knofler, etc., and at the same time developing his own unique style. He is still practicing law and is one of our vocalists and our lead guitarist.
TREY McCURDY
Our youngest band member, Trey, has been playing drums since he was 14. This powerhouse drummer plays in several bands in the San Diego area and teaches drums on the side. He started as a
trombonist in middle school, eventually making it to the drum section, where he performed in his high school’s marching band. He has been playing ever since and has excelled in the styles of rock, R&B, Latin and jazz, while continuing to grow as a musician. The Night Owls are amazed by his rhythm, timing and good nature and are pleased to have him in the band.
