Lois Masteller

December 2025 Issue

by Lesley Kyle
Photography by Cassidy Dunn Photography

In 1973, Charles Fraser hired Bob Masteller as the vice president of human resources at Sea Pines. This move would later change the complexion of music on Hilton Head Island.

Neither Bob nor his wife, Lois, had previously visited Hilton Head, and friends and family thought the couple were crazy to move to the tiny and mostly undeveloped island. Upon arrival, Lois needed pillowcases and sought directions to the downtown area. She was directed to Coligny, where one drug store and a grocery store were located. Devoid of pillowcases, the Mastellers soon began making the monthly trek to Savannah for supplies.

Before her Hilton Head adventure began, Lois was a pool lifeguard during the summers. A gentleman caller at the pool continued to ask her out on dates she regularly declined. She eventually gave in, accepted a date, but had second thoughts and phoned her mom to ask her to cancel. Her mom declined Lois’s request. As fate would have it, Lois’s date was acquainted with a young fella named Bob, who he knew from the U.S. Army. He asked Bob to join them on a double date.

On that dreaded, yet fateful, evening, Lois tried to be polite to her date and couldn’t help but notice Bob was nothing but respectful to his date. She also couldn’t help but observe Bob and his date were not a good match. As Lois chatted with Bob, she noted he checked all her lifetime partner boxes. The evening ended, and Lois returned home to share the details with her mom. Soon after, Lois saw her date at the pool and inquired about Bob, who hadn’t left her thoughts. He hadn’t seen Bob, and Lois thought she would never see him again either. Three months later, the phone rang, and it was Bob! Two years after that, Bob and Lois were married.

Back in the 1920s and ‘30s, Bob’s father and his five children were the youngest big bus jazz band on the road. The Masteller was unable to make a living playing music alone, so each member of the musically talented family also worked day jobs.

In the late ‘90s, long after moving to Hilton Head Island with Lois, Bob spied a cozy corner location at the Village at Wexford and told her he had found the perfect location for a jazz club. “Oh my God, we are finished,” reminisced Lois. But Lois told Bob, “Sure, let’s do it!”

A year of planning led to the demolition of the existing structure. As Bob’s vision for what a jazz club should be came to life, Lois and Bob were filled with anticipation for the birth of their vision, The Jazz Corner.

“Seeing the room come alive on opening night is one of my fondest memories,” Lois shared. “Celebrating with friends and family amidst soft lighting and beautiful music made for a memorable evening.” That opening night, however, was not without some hair-raising moments. Bob wanted George Shearing, a legendary British jazz pianist, to play on opening night, but George’s agent explained he no longer played small clubs. Undeterred, Bob wrote and mailed a heartfelt letter explaining his vision and invited George to open the club.

“This will never happen,” thought Lois. “Why would a world-renowned musician come to a little island to play in an unknown club?” Two weeks later, the couple received George’s reply: “I have read your letter, and I will open your club.” The Mastellers collected George at the airport and learned he would only play a 9-foot Steinway grand piano. The Jazz Corner was equipped with a 7-foot Baldwin grand piano. The scramble to switch pianos the day before opening night was on, and to everyone’s relief, the mission was accomplished.

After The Jazz Corner became well-established, Bob and Lois wanted to give back to the community and bring the best jazz musicians to Hilton Head. They did this through creating The Junior Jazz Foundation (www.thejuniorjazzfoundation.org). The Foundation’s summer jazz camp, half of which students attend on scholarships, teaches kids all about jazz. “All kids with talent should have that opportunity,” said Lois.

The Foundation awarded $22,500 in college scholarships, and its grant program awarded another $14K to schools last year. The instrument donation program collects hundreds of gently used instruments which are repaired and distributed to students in Beaufort, Chatham, and Jasper Counties. Retired U.S. Marine, Jamie Hamner, donates his time and parts to make the repairs.

Bob Masteller’s legacy lives on in Lois’s good care. “The future of jazz is a bright one,” said Lois. “We see that in the enthusiasm and talent in the next generation who enroll in camp each year.” Jazz is indeed in very good hands.

 

Up Close:

Hometown: Elmira, New York

Fun Fact: Lois was once a competitive synchronized swimmer!

Favorite Musician(s): The great Louis Armstrong and the many local musicians who have played The Jazz Corner for years.

Inspiration: Lois is still inspired by her late husband, Bob, and she continues keep his dream alive and make him proud.

Greatest Hope: That our country will come together, just as we do when we sit down and listen to great music.

Experience it: The Jazz Corner opened in 1999 and is known the world over as one of the most acclaimed spots for jazz. To learn more or book a reservation, log onto www.the jazz corner.com