Jim Cullum at the Landing

[tbn.al]

Took a side trip to San Antonio on my recent visit to my son in Austin. I've been wanting to hear the Jim Cullum band live after years of listening on PBS. We made the Friday night show and caught the first two sets. The overall experience is great although Jim may have lost a step. The clarinet seems a bit arrogant but he backs it up. He really wailed. My favorite was the trombone who was absolutely delightful. He played some really nice tailgate all night and transformed into jazz/blues artist on solos. All the guys except the drummer are older than me which puts them in the Preservation Hall category. The food/drink is ok but overpriced, so what's new about that in a jazz club. I can highly recommend the evening to anyone who enjoys live jazz/dixieland.

[tbn.al]

My favorite days of listening to that band where when (then skinny ) Allan Vaché (trumpet/cornet player, Warren's, brother) played clarinet. At that time, there was a very strong youngish player who doubled on cornet and trombone. Jim Cullum, though excellent - imo, has never been the strongest player in the band. I always enjoyed the vocalizations of the short round-faced guy who played banjo/tenor guitar (Is he still with the band?) and the right hand chording of the (1980's) pianist. As I recall, Jim's DAD started the band, and it was originally named the Happy Jazz Band.

The clarinet player was very tall and skinny, mid - 60's, very distinguished looking. He played brilliantly and he and Jim stayed in a pissin' contest all night. Some of the looks they shot each other were hilarious. The round faced guy with the tenor guitar was there but did not vocalize. The only people I actually talked to were the bass and the trombone. Both were very personable, easy to approach guys. Other than to give compliments or tips I don't bother the band much any more. It was a fun band, pretty tight, with good ensemble work and solos. The weakest link was in fact the leader. The piano was excellent but I don't pay much attention to keyboards so I really can't remember if the chording was remarkable.

[eupher61]

It's officially the Jim Cullum Jazz Band, it has been since probably the mid-80s or so. I'd just heard rumors last week that the club might be closing down, due to general lack of business at the restaurant. I have no idea whether that's purely a rumor or if it has any merit.