Dave Eshelman is Director Emeritus of Jazz Studies at California State University, East Bay. Dave led the CSU East Bay Jazz Ensemble on four European concert tours (2000, 2003, 2005, 2007) as well as one tour to Brazil (2001).

The Jazz Garden Big Band features some of the most active freelance musicians in the bay area. Many have performed with the band for decades including saxophonist Mary Fettig, alumna of the Stan Kenton Orchestra; trumpeter Louis Fasman, former member of the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra; saxophonist and wood flute virtuoso Dann Zinn, Director of Jazz Studies at CSUEB; guitarist Randy Vincent; trombonist Matt Hall; jazz teachers Rory Snyder, Bob Farrington, and Erik Jekabson, Jazzschool Young Musicians Program Director; and several are former students from Dave Eshelman's jazz programs: saxophonist Bob Kenmotsu, drummer Kelly Fasman, trombonist Jeanne Geiger, bass trombonist Rich Lee, trumpeters Mike Olmos and Marvin McFadden, and Colin Hogan, piano and accordion.