James Pankow
James Pankow | |
---|---|
St. Louis, Missouri, United States | |
Genres | Rock, adult contemporary, jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, arranger |
Instrument(s) | Trombone, keyboards, vocals, percussion |
Years active | 1967 | –present
Member of | Chicago |
James Carter Pankow (born August 20, 1947) is an American trombone player, songwriter, and brass instrument arranger who is a founding member of the rock band Chicago.[2] He is best known for his brass arrangements, and for being one-third of Chicago's brass/woodwind section alongside Lee Loughnane and Walter Parazaider.
Early life, family and education
Born in
Pankow was influenced by his musician father, Wayne. He started playing the
Pankow earned a full music scholarship to Quincy College, where he studied the bass trombone. After completing his first year, he returned home for the summer and formed a band that began to play some live local shows. Not wanting to give up this work, Pankow transferred to DePaul University.[5]
He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and he was given the National Citation as well as recognition as Signature Sinfonian along with fellow Chicago members and Sinfonians on August 26, 2009.[6]
Career
Chicago
At DePaul, Pankow met Walter Parazaider, who recruited him to join a band, The Big Thing, which would become Chicago Transit Authority. Soon after the first album's release, the band's name was shortened to Chicago. Pankow has remained a member of Chicago since its inception.[7]
In addition to playing the trombone, Pankow has composed many songs for Chicago, including the hits "
Pankow has scored most of Chicago's brass arrangements. Although he is not one of the band's principal vocalists, he sang lead vocals for two Chicago songs: "You Are On My Mind" (from Chicago X, 1976) and "Till the End of Time" (Chicago XI, 1977).[2][8]
Other
Along with fellow Chicago horns
Personal life
Pankow and his first wife Karen were married for 18 years. Their children are Jonathan (born 1981) and Sarah (born 1986).[10]
Pankow and his second wife Jeanne Pacelli have two children, Carter (born 1999) and Lilli (born 2002).
References
- ^ "City celebrates 72nd birthday of Chicago's legendary trombonist, Jimmy Pankow". My Buckhannon. August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
- ^ a b "James Pankow – Chicago". Retrieved July 16, 2019.
- ^ "Brother Act". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on March 9, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
- ^ "James Pankow". trombone.net. International Trombone Association. July 17, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
- ^ Katsilometes, John (July 9, 2016). "'Sewer pipe' virtuosity has made Chicago's Jimmy Pankow a Rock Hall of Famer". lasvegassun.com. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
- ^ "Chicago and Signature Sinfonian Members Recognized in Pre-concert Ceremony". Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia – Sinfonia News. Sinfonia. August 28, 2009. Archived from the original on February 23, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
- ^ Fleischer, Denise (November 1, 2018). "Pankow Reflects On His Long Career With Chicago". Journal Online. Journal & Topics Media Group. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
- ^ "Chicago's Jimmy Pankow on Band's 50th Anniversary & What's Next for Them". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 14, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
- AllMusic. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
- ^ "James Pankow". songhall.org. Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
External links
- Chicago official website
- 2001 interview in the Honolulu Star Bulletin Archived January 12, 2005, at the Wayback Machine