Bio

Jester are an acoustic four piece guitar & vocal group based in Auckland. Although two of the members have been playing together since the invention of the guitar, the inception of the band Jester as we know it today was in early to mid ’97.

Originally a covers band, the exhaustion of Radiohead covers fueled a need for original material. Jester is a combination of the fresh, witty and innovative songwriting style of John Barker and solid original music background of Jared Kahi.

The addition of Wesley Dowdell in mid '98 with a simple drum kit consisting of snare and ride gave a unique style to the Jester line up. The band feel at home on stage with each gig promising to be an energetic and entertaining show, but if it wasn't for the almost unspoken, panoptic presence of bassist Mark Grimes, the calm and confident composure of Jester's stage show may very well fall into chaos. For Marks role in the band goes deeper than bassist. Since his joining in late 1999, Mark has become the bands recording engineer, producer, mediator and keeper of the peace.

The most recent addition to the group was drummer and maniacal timekeeper Cole Goodley who has taken Jester's onstage energy and performance to a new level.

Jester's last live performance was at the Temple Bar in Auckland on 30 May 2003.

Band Members:
John Barker (vocals, guitar)
Greg Dempster (drums)
Jared Kahi (vocals, guitar)
Mark Grimes (bass)