James Pankow
Encyclopedia
James Carter "Jimmy" Pankow (born August 20, 1947) is an American
trombone
player, songwriter
and brass instrument
arranger
best known as a founding member of the rock band Chicago
.
, Pankow moved with his family to Park Ridge, Illinois
at the age of eight, where he started playing the trombone
at St. Paul of the Cross Elementary School. He is the older brother of actor John Pankow
.
One of nine siblings, Pankow was influenced by his father, Wayne (who was also a musician), and by his Notre Dame High School
band instructor, Father George Wiskirchen.
Pankow earned a full music scholarship to Quincy College
, where he studied the bass trombone. After completing his freshman
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
.
He is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
, and was given the National Citation as well as recognition as Signature Sinfonian along with fellow Chicago members and Sinfonians on August 26, 2009.
Since the early 1970s he has been a close personal friend of ex-Eagles guitarist Don Felder
.
, who recruited him to join a band named The Big Thing—which would become Chicago Transit Authority. Soon after the first album's release, the band's name was shortened to Chicago
, when the actual Chicago Transit Authority threatened legal action. Pankow has remained a member of Chicago since its inception.
In addition to playing the trombone, Pankow has composed many songs for Chicago, including the hits "Make Me Smile
" and "Colour My World
" (both from his suite Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon
), "Just You 'N' Me
," "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long
," "Old Days
," "Alive Again
," and (with Peter Cetera
) "Feelin' Stronger Every Day
."
Pankow has also composed most of Chicago's brass arrangement
s over the years and, as a result, is perhaps the person most responsible for the "Chicago sound."
Although Pankow 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).
's 1969 #15 hit "Celebrate" (Pankow has appeared on several albums for the rock band Toto
, including the 1982 Grammy Award winning Toto IV
and their 2006 album Falling In Between
, for which he composed the brass arrangements and performed on the song "Dying On My Feet." Pankow, along with Lee Loughnane and Walt Parazaider also appear on the 1979 Bee Gees' "Spirits Having Flown" album playing horns on several tracks.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
player, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and brass instrument
Brass instrument
A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
arranger
Arrangement
The American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
best known as a founding member of the rock band Chicago
Chicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
.
Early life
Born in St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Pankow moved with his family to Park Ridge, Illinois
Park Ridge, Illinois
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 37,775 people, 14,219 households, and 10,465 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,374.6 people per square mile . There were 14,646 housing units at an average density of 2,083.8 per square mile...
at the age of eight, where he started playing the trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
at St. Paul of the Cross Elementary School. He is the older brother of actor John Pankow
John Pankow
John Pankow is an American film and stage actor. He is perhaps best known for a supporting role on the sitcom Mad About You .-Early life:...
.
One of nine siblings, Pankow was influenced by his father, Wayne (who was also a musician), and by his Notre Dame High School
Notre Dame High School, Niles, Illinois
Notre Dame High School for Boys is a male-only Roman Catholic secondary school founded in Niles, Illinois in 1955 by the Congregation of Holy Cross...
band instructor, Father George Wiskirchen.
Pankow earned a full music scholarship to Quincy College
Quincy University
Quincy University a private liberal arts Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition. It is located in Quincy, Illinois and currently enrolls around 1,300 students.-History:...
, where he studied the bass trombone. After completing his freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
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
DePaul University
DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul...
.
He is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is an American collegiate social fraternity for men with a special interest in music...
, and was given the National Citation as well as recognition as Signature Sinfonian along with fellow Chicago members and Sinfonians on August 26, 2009.
Since the early 1970s he has been a close personal friend of ex-Eagles guitarist Don Felder
Don Felder
Donald William "Don" Felder is an American musician and songwriter, best known for his work as lead guitarist for the Eagles from 1974 to 1980 and again from 1994 to 2001.-Early life and influences:...
.
Personal life
On May 5, 1972, he married Karen Marie Green. They had two children, Jonathan James and Sarah Noel in Malibu, CA. The two divorced in December 1993. On May 9, 1998 he married Jeanne Elisabeth Pacelli in Chicago. They had two children, Carter Wayne and Lillian Pierce. The family recently relocated to Tennessee.Tenure in Chicago
At DePaul, Pankow met Walter ParazaiderWalter Parazaider
Walter Parazaider is best known for being a founding member and saxophone player for the rock band Chicago. He also plays the flute and other woodwind instruments in the band, including clarinet. On the hit "You're Not Alone," he played backing rhythm guitar.Parazaider began playing the clarinet...
, who recruited him to join a band named The Big Thing—which would become Chicago Transit Authority. Soon after the first album's release, the band's name was shortened to Chicago
Chicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
, when the actual Chicago Transit Authority threatened legal action. Pankow has remained a member of Chicago since its inception.
In addition to playing the trombone, Pankow has composed many songs for Chicago, including the hits "Make Me Smile
Make Me Smile
"Make Me Smile" is a song written by James Pankow for the rock band Chicago. Part of Pankow's Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon song cycle/suite, it was recorded for their second album Chicago II...
" and "Colour My World
Colour My World (Chicago song)
"Colour My World" is a song written by American musician James Pankow, one of the founding members of the rock/jazz fusion band Chicago. Part of Pankow's Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon song cycle/suite, it was recorded for their second album Chicago II...
" (both from his suite Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon
Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon
"Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" , a nearly thirteen-minute song cycle/suite from Chicago's 1970 album Chicago II, was the group's first attempt at a long-format multi-part work....
), "Just You 'N' Me
Just You 'N' Me
"Just You 'N' Me" is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VI , with Peter Cetera singing lead vocals. The second single released from that album, it reached #4 on the U.S...
," "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long
(I've Been) Searchin' So Long
" Searchin' So Long" is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VII . The first single released from that album, it reached number 9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100....
," "Old Days
Old Days
"Old Days" is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VIII , with lead vocals by Peter Cetera. The second single released from that album, it reached #5 on the U.S...
," "Alive Again
Alive Again (Chicago song)
"Alive Again" is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Hot Streets , with Peter Cetera singing lead vocals. The first single released from that album, it reached #14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart....
," and (with Peter Cetera
Peter Cetera
Peter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
) "Feelin' Stronger Every Day
Feelin' Stronger Every Day
"Feelin' Stronger Every Day" is a song written by Peter Cetera and James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VI . The first single released from that album, it reached #10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100....
."
Pankow has also composed most of Chicago's brass arrangement
Arrangement
The American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
s over the years and, as a result, is perhaps the person most responsible for the "Chicago sound."
Although Pankow 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
Chicago X
Chicago X is the tenth album by American rock band Chicago and was released in 1976. The album is notable for its soulfulness, and it ended up being a turning point in the band's career thanks to one song....
, 1976) and "Till the End of Time" (Chicago XI
Chicago XI
Chicago XI is the 11th album by American rock band Chicago and was released in 1977. As the successor to Chicago X, the album marked the end of an era for Chicago in more ways than one...
, 1977).
Other musical contributions
Pankow along with fellow Chicago horns Lee Loughnane and Walter Parazaider was featured on Three Dog NightThree Dog Night
Three Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. During that time the band charted 21 Billboard top 40 hits in America, three of which reached Number One...
's 1969 #15 hit "Celebrate" (Pankow has appeared on several albums for the rock band Toto
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
, including the 1982 Grammy Award winning Toto IV
Toto IV
Toto IV is the fourth studio album by American band Toto released in 1982 .The album received six Grammy Awards including Record of the Year for "Rosanna", Album of the Year for Toto IV and Producer of the Year for the band. It reached number four on the Billboard Pop Albums chart shortly after its...
and their 2006 album Falling In Between
Falling In Between
Falling in Between is the 12th studio album by veteran American rock musicians, Toto. The album was released in February 2006 on the Italian label Frontiers Records, with a world tour to follow. It was the band's first studio release since Through the Looking Glass in 2002, and the first to include...
, for which he composed the brass arrangements and performed on the song "Dying On My Feet." Pankow, along with Lee Loughnane and Walt Parazaider also appear on the 1979 Bee Gees' "Spirits Having Flown" album playing horns on several tracks.
External links
- Chicago official website
- 2001 interview in the Honolulu Star Bulletin