Jimmy Sturr
Sturr in 2009
Background information
Birth nameJames William Sturr Jr.
Born (1941-09-25) September 25, 1941
Warwick, New York, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)Instrumentalist, bandleader
Instrument(s)Trumpet, clarinet, saxophone
LabelsRounder, Vanguard, Starr
Websitewww.jimmysturr.com

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]

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 2 3 "All About: The Jimmy Sturr Show". RFD-TV. 2022-05-06. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  2. 1 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. ↑ "Jimmy Sturr | Artist | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  4. ↑ "Performance History Search". Carnegiehall.org.
  5. ↑ "The pitcher who could polka". Ampoleagle.com. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ "WTBQ AM 1110 FM 93.5 | Radio Worth Listening To | Talk, Music & Sports". Wtbq.com. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  8. ↑ "Weekly Schedule - Rural Radio". SiriusXM. Archived from the original on 2017-04-09. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
  9. ↑ "Times Herald-Record Obituaries in Middletown, NY | Times Herald-Record". Recordonline.com.
  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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