Jimmy_Sturr_&_His_Orchestra

Jimmy Sturr

Jimmy Sturr

American musician

James W. Sturr Jr. (commonly known as Jimmy Sturr) is an American polka musician, trumpeter, clarinetist, saxophonist and leader of Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra. Media outlets have often dubbed him the "King of Polka," with his recordings having won 18 out of the 24 Grammy Awards given for Best Polka Album.[1] Sturr's orchestra is on the Top Ten List of the All-Time Grammy Awards, and has acquired more Grammy nominations than anyone in the history of musical polka awards.[2][3]

Quick Facts Background information, Birth name ...

Career

Sturr and his orchestra have performed at Carnegie Hall,[4] Lincoln Center in New York City, Yankee Stadium [5] and the Palace of Culture in Warsaw, Poland.[6] When touring, the band rides in Jimmy's 45-foot customized tour bus, previously owned by Billy Ray Cyrus.[2] The band has crossed genres and collaborated with numerous prominent musicians such as Willie Nelson, Brenda Lee, Arlo Guthrie, Boots Randolph, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mel Tillis, and Charlie Daniels.

A significant highlight for Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra was when they were invited to appear on the Grand Ole Opry, the only polka group (and the only group with brass instruments) to do so.[1]

Sturr hosts a syndicated radio show on stations including WTBQ[7] in his hometown of Florida, New York, the station he once owned. He also has a weekly radio show on the Rural Radio channel on SirusXM.[8] In addition to radio shows, he also owns and operates United Polka Artists, Starr Record Company, Jimmy Sturr Travel Agency, and a publishing company.[1]

Discography

Band members

Band Members

  • Jimmy Sturr - Leader, Vocals, Clarinet, Saxophone, Drums, and Trumpet
  • Johnny Karas - Tenor Saxophone and Vocals
  • Nick DeVito - Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, and Piccolo
  • Jim Perry - Clarinet and Alto Saxophone
  • Frank Urbanovitch - Fiddle & Vocals
  • Al Piatkowski - Accordion
  • Bill Ash - Trumpet
  • Kenny Harbus - Trumpet & Vocals
  • Rick Henly - Trumpet
  • Rich Berends - Drums
  • Rich Pavasaris - Bass Guitar
  • Ron Oswanski - Piano & Accordion
  • Tom Conklin - Bus Driver and Sound Manager
  • Mike Magdon - Sound Manager
  • Gus Kosior - Manager & Bus Driver
  • Barbara James - Assistant Manager

Reoccurring members

  • Nick Koryluk - Accordion
  • Joe Mariany - Clarinet and Saxophone
  • Ray Barno - Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, and Baritone Saxophone
  • Chris Caffery - Guitar

Past members

  • William “Bill” Hulle - Bass[9]
  • Hank Golis - Trumpet
  • Kevin Krauth - Trumpet & Vocals
  • Al Noble - Trumpet
  • Ben Poole - Trumpet
  • Eric Parks - Trumpet
  • Paul Ketterer - Trumpet
  • Dana Sylvander - Trombone
  • Dennis Coyman - Drums
  • Bill Langan - Bass Guitar
  • Mike Ralff - Bass Guitar
  • Dave Kowalski - Guitar
  • Eddie Burton - Guitar
  • Lou Pallo - Guitar
  • Kevin Chase - Guitar
  • Walt Cunningham - Strings & Banjo
  • Ed Goldberg - Piano & Bass
  • Jeff Hoffman - Piano
  • Jeff Miller - Piano
  • Keith Slattery - Piano
  • Lenny Filipowski - Piano
  • Dennis Polisky - Clarinet & Alto Saxophone
  • Greg Dolecki - Clarinet & Alto Saxophone
  • Joe Magnuszewski - Clarinet & Alto Saxophone
  • Peter Kargul - Violin
  • Ryan Joseph - Violin
  • Steve Wnuk - Violin
  • Gene Bartkiewicz - Accordion
  • Wally Czerniawski - Accordion
  • Darlene Morrow - Violin
  • Mark Zaki - Violin
  • Steve Swiader - Accordion
  • Gennarose - Vocals
  • Lance Wing - Vocals
  • Lindsey Webster - Vocals
  • John Doolan - Equipment Manager
  • Bryan Doolan - Roadie
  • Thomas 'Tom' Karas - Accordion/keyboard (1983-1989)[10]

References

  1. [1]
    "All About: The Jimmy Sturr Show". RFD-TV. 2022-05-06. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  2. [2]
    Sisario, Ben (February 5, 2006). "The Polka King Rolls Out the Barrel for the 19th Time". The New York Times. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
  3. [3]
    "Jimmy Sturr | Artist | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  4. [4]
    "Performance History Search". Carnegiehall.org.
  5. [5]
    "The pitcher who could polka". Ampoleagle.com. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  6. [6]
    [dead link]
  7. [7]
    "WTBQ AM 1110 FM 93.5 | Radio Worth Listening To | Talk, Music & Sports". Wtbq.com. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  8. [8]
    "Weekly Schedule - Rural Radio". SiriusXM. Archived from the original on 2017-04-09. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
  9. [9]
    "Times Herald-Record Obituaries in Middletown, NY | Times Herald-Record". Recordonline.com.[permanent dead link]
  10. [10]
    "Thomas Karas – Deceased Category – Inducted 2004". Ipapolkas.com. Archived from the original on 2018-09-02. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
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