Jim Cullum Jazz Band

Jim Cullum Jazz Band
Origin San Antonio, Texas
Genres jazz
Years active 1989 – present
Labels Riverwalk Jazz, Stomp Off
Associated acts Happy Jazz Band
Website http://www.jimcullum.com
Members
Jim Cullum, Jr., cornet
Evan Arntzen, clarinet and saxophone
Mike Pittsley, trombone
John Sheridan, piano
Howard Elkins, banjo and guitar
Bernie Attridge, bass
Benji Bohannon, drums
Past members
Don Mopsick, bass
Ric Ramirez, bass
Steve Pikal, bass
Mike Waskiewicz, drums
Hal Smith, drums
John Sheridan, piano
Allan Vaché, clarinet
Brian Ogilvie, clarinet and saxophone
Ron Hockett, clarinet and saxophone
Evan Christopher, clarinet
Jim Turner, piano
Ed Torres, drums
Kevin Dorn, drums
Jack Wyatt, bass
Jim Hunter, bass
Kenny Rupp, trombone
Randy Reinhart, cornet and trombone
Brian Nalepka, Tuba, St. Bass and Bass Sax
Ed Hubble, trombone

The Jim Cullum Jazz Band is an acoustic seven-piece traditional jazz ensemble led by cornetist Jim Cullum, Jr.. Since 1989, the band has been featured nationally on their own weekly public radio series Riverwalk Jazz. The band performs live Tuesday through Saturday at the Landing Jazz Club on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.

Happy Jazz Band

The JCJB is the successor of the original Happy Jazz Band established in 1962 by Jim and his late father, Jim Cullum Sr. The next year, a group of San Antonio investors founded the original Landing Jazz Club located in the basement of the Nix Hospital building on the San Antonio Riverwalk. The original Landing was only the second business established on the Riverwalk after the Casa Rio Mexican restaurant. Jim Jr. took over leadership of the band after the passing of Jim Sr. in 1973 and changed the name to The Jim Cullum Jazz Band. The Landing moved to its present location in the Hyatt Regency in 1981.

The JCJB’s unique longevity and influence in the jazz community has spawned other jazz bands in the San Antonio area. Most notable is a recently organized group, the Mission City Hot Rhythm Cats, a six-piece traditional jazz band composed of several former members of the Jim Cullum Jazz Band.

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