James Pankow - My Trombone Hero - Ep 101

Ep 101 from "My Music Heroes" -series.
James Pankow - My Trombone Hero , Chicago the band.
Vadsø-Finnmark-Norway , October 2021
My Trombone Hero ever since a got my first Chicago album «Chicago V» (on cassette) back in the days. I was lucky to see Chicago live at an outdoor concert in New York July 1979. I remember their opening song was «Alive Again« and recall that the horn section needed their notestands for the song «Street Player» later on during the set.
I am happy that I could see James Pankow again with Chicago live concert together with Earth,Wind & Fire (another of my favorite band) in Atlantic City in September 2015.
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#JamesPankow #Trombone #Chicago
I do not own copyright to the content parts of this video.
It is purely for educational purposes.

[@fredericmuscat3217]

Grand amateur de rock et de guitare, c'est grâce à ce groupe que je me suis décidé à joué du trombone en 1978 !

[@Keedeeg]

He just makes me SMILE.....and maybe even blush, a bit. His talent astounds me!

[@RoyStephansen]

😀🎶👌

[@jppagetoo]

Jimmy wrote many of the best Chicago songs, especially in the early days. He helped write down the stuff that Terry composed. It's safe to say without Jimmy Pankow, Chicago as a band would have been drastically different. Talented man.

[@randysteele6741]

No doubt about it. To many fans, it's all Terry and Peter, and they were outrageously talented and key to the band's success. But no one can be left out of the Chicago equation. All were essential to the unique Chicago sound and its success. Pankow's influence on the band is massive and he's criminally underappreciated even by those who consider themselves big fans. Jimmy's a monster's monster; a genius composer, arranger and virtuoso trombonist. Rock on, Jimmy!

[@FreeSociety1]

The underrated Robert Lamm wrote their biggest songs (25 or 6 to 4, Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is, Saturday In The Park, Beginnings, Question 67 & 68, Dialogue).

[@blucy10]

He also did ALL the brass arrangements. That’s the Chicago sound.

[@jppagetoo]

@@blucy10 I have no doubt that he did! As I said, he is a very talented man. He was attending the music school where CTA formed. I doesn't surprise me he did so much arrangement. I have nothing but the highest respect for his musical talents.

[@bubbamike4743]

@@blucy10 Lee started doing the brass arrangements too a bit later on in their career

[@kerrygauffin8018]

As a trombone player in the late 60’s /early 70’s I played my Chicago albums non-stop. Jimmy was my idol. How hard I worked to try to mimic him, but it did make me a better player. Loved those years!

[@markquiming2664]

Me, too. Was ‘talked’ out of playing the trumpet in jr high by the band instructor back in ‘68, Hawaii. And then Chicago and JamesP exploded into the rock music scene. Became so proud then to play the trombone into high school: football season, front line with the marching band, concert band. Thank you JamesP for inspiring me and my fellow Bone section players to play our hearts out every time. Shout out to my fellow trombonists from the Farrington High School 1971- 1973 school years: Leonard, Colin, Dennis, Aaron, Carlton, Donald, Exaber, Edward, Clifford, and Carl. Such memories - miss y’all!

[@paultaylor7082]

A great trombonist, with added brilliance of not only writing great songs with also doing some truly memorable brass arrangements. Also a mention here to Lee Loughnane and Walt Parazaider, another great pair of horn players. Up there with my other two favourite horn players of B S &T, Lew Soloff and Dave Bargeron.

[@gilbertjones9388]

I play trombone and he is one of the reasons why. I started with drums in high school and when I heard Chicago and the BIG BANDS I changed instruments. Did a few gigs in my lifetime.

[@lamarravery4094]

He's the best trombonist I know and he's a great arranger/composer.

[@RoyStephansen]

yess, agree😁

[@karensaldanha4760]

@@1sttrainkimramsey150 Chicago XVI was the the thumbprint and a couple songs they played in this video if from "Now" (Chicago XXXVI).

[@patriciacrawford8729]

I have to go a long with that Jimmy is the best

[@user-vu2fd3en4z]

not as good as ME!

[@scottyboy7462]

love watching James in the old live Chicago vids. You can tell he is soooo into it and he definitely helps drive the band forward. Big fan!!!!

[@monicaslonaker7605]

He the best! So entertaining!!

[@onetrombone6148]

Jimmy also wrote almost ALL of the horn parts for their songs. Just awesome.

[@RoyStephansen]

Yes. I love his "signature" voicing and feeling in his horns part arrangements 🎶👌😀

[@user-vu2fd3en4z]

BUT I PLAYED A KING!

[@j.w.matney8390]

I played trombone in the High School jazz band in the late 60's to 74 and Pankow was definitely my Idol. Great that he has kept his chops.

[@stevencaskey7473]

He is so right. People are discovering Chicagos greatness. Im lucky to have a son( special needs) that really likes Chicago.

[@stevecotov9026]

James Pankow, one of the best. What a huge talent, anchoring Chicago's horn section. Want to see someone double on trombone and trumpet? Watch Mic Gillette of Tower of Power picking up each one alternately on "What Is Hip" and "So Very Hard to Go"! Unbelievable!

[@RoyStephansen]

🎶👌😁

[@KellyBrown-lv8ep]

Nice post! Yeah, it’s about time James Pankow gets the credit he deserves. It’s usually the singer that gets the attention, but truly his horn lines are as much melody as any vocalist. He’s so creative, and a great song writer as well. You can’t sing a Chicago song without singing the horn lines. Jimmy is the best!!

[@RoyStephansen]

Thank you. Yes I agree 100%

[@josealfonsobotejara3045]

Esa sección de viento de Chicago,son únicos y reconocibles,de mis bandas favoritas.De la música estadounidense y mundial de los mejores.James un grande del trombón

[@jerryjazzbo2845]

Nice to see JP get some credit for everything he's done for the trombone in the music world he resides in.

[@randysteele6741]

Monster's Monster, Jimmy Pankow, in the RRHOF and the Song Writers Hall of Fame. Also, Pankow was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Trombone Society a few years ago. That might be as meaningful as the two hall of fames for him considering he was voted in by his bone-playing professional peers.

[@paulsteezo1772]

TOWER OF POWER HORN SECTION!!

[@ronherrera8327]

He wrote ballot for a girl in Buchanan, which is an absolute masterpiece!

[@danarcotta1283]

Jimmy trombone as he was called by Terry Kath just before performing his composition, Make Me Smile... Awesome tune,also covered brilliantly by Leonid and friends

[@auroraboreal5579]

Para mí , Jimmy tiene una energía inagotable , además de sencillez , carisma y porsupuesto mucho talento, me encantó verlos en concierto en México, espero que la banda goze de buena salud y estén muy activos , su legado será siempre valorado por quienes reconocemos la buena música!!

[@imaginethat2457]

He is my Hero too! Love him!❤️

[@jessicaholmes8876]

I love Chicago and their music 🎶! They're so cool!

[@ursulakaiser7322]

Jimmy ,trobone' Pankow with Chicago - The most brilliant trombonist,musician,arranger, composer ever heard!! In ,Rock With Horns' history.

[@RoyStephansen]

😀👌

[@RW-ob4en]

Jimmy and Lee spent the afternoon with my students when I was teaching HS in Elkhorn WI. I grew up listening non-stop to Chicago and BS&T so you might imagine what a kick that was!😊

[@RoyStephansen]

Fantastic 😀👌

[@brucemoeller]

CTA was the very first album I ever bought, and their roots were in the jazz/pop arena. They came to the forefront when music mattered. (It still does.) Guys with chops....each one a pro. I've met Jimmy backstage a couple times, and he just wanted to know whether we had a good time. The consummate professional with chops, heart, and he brings it to every show. Yes...he's written most of the horn arrangements, but he's also written some very complex pieces. Check out their first 10 albums....some off the wall stuff. They've had several personnel changes, but their stuff is solid.

[@agilemonk6305]

James Pankow is one of the best. And the entire Chicago horn section is one of the best ever.

[@RoyStephansen]

I Agree😀👌

[@jeffhanjian5366]

Jimmy Pankow is my trombone favorite player. As a low brass player myself I know what it takes to play as well and he is the best I ever heard

[@guillermoaguirre4464]

Un MAESTRO..James lo mejor para vos GENIO 👏👏👏👏💪❤

[@bryanrmcf]

A living legend in my opinion.

[@RoyStephansen]

🎶👌

[@jamescpotter]

Jimmy has composed, scored, and arranged so many brass ensemble masterpieces in his long career. My favorite is Canon from the Elegy suite on Chicago III because it is so damn emotional. I was blessed to see this band and 8 times between 1970-75.

[@lamarravery4094]

I love it when they play Wake up Sunshine and he does his solo part, but Elegy is a musical masterpiece, Iove it too.

[@blucy10]

Those brass stabs in Rosanna are his arrangement and him on trombone.

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

I will never forget seeing Pankow getting out of a tour bus into a Toyota MR2 Chicago in the 80's I was like holy cow that's Pankow

[@RoyStephansen]

😁👌

[@Stevo_Drums]

It’s kind of sad how time marches onward, and Chicago only has 3 original members left on stage (James, Lee, and Robert). Great American treasure! 🎷🎺🎹🎸

[@brianfoley4328]

Yeah, a real Trombonist's hero.

[@philm.6113]

Colour My World - Alive Again - Just You and Me - Make Me Smile - Old Days - Awesome songwriter/Performer/Musician. I was lucky to have parents that loved Chicago and they took me to two concerts when Kath was still with us. James Pankow enjoys being on stage and the audiences love him. Thanks for posting this. I guess I have a Trombone Hero, too.

[@RoyStephansen]

Nice😀 Signature sound and arrangements👌

[@HardcoreGamer1.0_Mx]

The Best Thanks pankow👌😎👌⭐ El mejor sin duda alguna Gracias Mr pankow 👌😎👌⭐

[@1957rcajr]

Get Chicago V, listen to “Now That You’ve Gone” and find out what a genius James Pankow is.

[@gj8683]

He has a great ability to hear what fits into a song in a way that it works with it but also stands out as something uniquely expressive.

[@RoyStephansen]

😀👌

[@oneilwright5832]

"Explain It To My Heart" horn solo, my favorite.

[@darthcheney7447]

Jimmy Trombone, Baby!

[@frankseck1]

First saw Chicago in 1970. Can’t keep track of how many times I’ve seen them live. Extraordinary band with amazing musicians. I love Mr Pankows energy and optimism. Go see them before you can’t.

[@luiscarlosrodriguez137]

Grandes músicos los del grupo Chicago ...no cabe duda Tuve oportunidad de escucharlos y verlos en el primer concierto importante de la CDMX ....en 1976...con Terry Kath

[@gilbertjones9388]

You listen to Leonid and Friends from Russia and they sound just like Chicago!! You hear them perform and it is rather hard to tell the difference. Both are GREAT!!!

[@ninod1502]

Lexington Lab Band does a pretty good job as well

[@pcraig1383]

I saw Chicago Transit Authority 3 times (at Eagles Auditorium) between Fall '69 and "71. The were just called Chicago the 2nd and 3rd times btw. All 3 shows started with 'Introduction' the 1st tune on 1st album. One thing I remember about James was he yelled and waved and shouted "Thank You" throughout the shows. Watching Terry Kath from 15 ft away was awesome too. Thanks for this vid Roy!

[@RoyStephansen]

Thank you 😀

[@fredstriker2042]

Nice upload brother. Seen them multiple times/lineups over the years but always with the 3 original horns

[@polara01]

This is a really great interview and showing the guys at work and pankow explaining things so a young aspiring musician can learn and be inspired great information wish there was more of this specific type of interviews with Chicago band members Through The Years with all the band members kind of hard to find this and it is golden! Thanks great post!

[@RoyStephansen]

Thank you 😁👍

[@carlcard7]

Yes he is my hero as well.... Trombonist here, played all through high school, and in college, took a break during my army days ...listening to Chicago inspires me to keep playing all the time, they are my all time favorite band :)

[@osvaldoortiz364]

I am adicted to 4.49 minute of this video

[@oswaldocastro9591]

Es grandioso como trombonista y arreglista, es una pena que solo se le escuche cantar en una canción de todo su repertorio, “You are on my mind", también tiene una extraordinaria voz.

[@tlooknbill]

Pankow should be given a genius award for writing the "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon" 6 track suite off of the Chicago II album. So he's not just an accomplished trombone player. The guy can write! As a trombone player in high school and college stage band I still couldn't get the high notes to sound as smooth as Pankow's. He has a great tonality better IMO than the great Bill Watrous.

[@nemo227]

Trombone was the first instrument for which I took lessons. It was elementary school and I was probably too young. Teacher made me quit. It was probably the right thing to do but she told me that they needed the school's trombone for another student who played in the school band. I think it worked out well for me. When I was in high school I was getting paid to play in the dance band for the after game dances in the cafeteria. Then college and after, still getting paid. But now I'm retired and stay home at night. Yes, I miss it. But my bass stays home too.🙂

[@erictyson6845]

Listening to Chicsgo when I was a 9 year old is why iI started playing the trombone. Now I have 2 trombones.

[@RoyStephansen]

😁👍🎶👌

[@philosophicallyspeaking6463]

Respect! He has a 'unique' style 'and' sound, which is a far more rare thing that is commonly acclaimed in its issuance by 'others' as a back handed complement. Back in the day I was too much an Urbie Green fan to appreciate Jim's distinctive performance stylings on trombone, which are original contributions rather than slavish imitations of others who went before. However, I was always conscious of his trademark way of writing, harmonizing, and orchestrating for a simple horn section. That, more than anything else, gave Chicago its distinctive character sound, where groups like Blood, Sweat, and Tears had none to speak of, for simply employing talented studio musicians and arrangers to their respective cause. It is a testament to Jim's humility that, as the architect of the horns sound, he kept the horn's alive, often on life support, despite David Foster's deliberate attempt to marginalize them. Chicago persisted as it were to serve as a platform to promote, expose and transform a serious band with legitimate pedigree into the soft-rock 'Peter Cetera' experience. Cetera leaving the band was necessary to cause Chicago's recovery from from Foster's authority.

[@RoyStephansen]

👌🎶 yes it was necessary 🎶👌

[@us-Bahn]

Can be sure those 3 guys spent a whole lot of time in a small living room or basement grooving those classic horn parts.

[@RoyStephansen]

Yes, a lot I believe 🎶👌

[@curtiss2000]

He as well as the other two horn players were graduates of DePaul School of music in Chicago

[@user-vu2fd3en4z]

King 3B and the Arbans Book! Go......ME!

[@sampowellmusic]

thats why i opt for a valve trombone!

[@manguera9]

i hope Jimmy Pankow reveal his secrets of Chicago arrangements technique

[@RoyStephansen]

Would be great 😁👍🎶👌

[@paulsteezo1772]

LEONID AND FRIENDS!!!! NO MORE NEED BE SAID EVER

[@danielweeks3723]

Pankow is an incredible musician. as a young guitar player I didn't appreciate him. I do now. I mean, there was Terry Kath. His horn arrangements. I'd really have to play badly not to look good with him and his arrangements. He can write too!

[@emmapankow1798]

I'm related 2 him lol

[@kincher23]

What tune is that?

[@RoyStephansen]

😀Song details below the video👍

[@ericsage6473]

What is the difference between a dead squirrel in the middle of the road and a dead trombone player in the middle of the road? The squirrel was probably on the way to a gig...........LOVE the bone!!!!!

[@michaelquillen2679]

I saw Chicago in concert in 1973 (Denver). During the tune, Beginnings, Jim started his solo, and it was a shit show. I've never forgiven him for that one. Other than that, glad he was/is a part of Chicago, my favorite horn band ever.

[@UriTid]

What's the song on 3:40?

[@RoyStephansen]

Hi , the song is "I'd Rather Be Rich" - from the album Chicago XIV 😄👍

[@stevencochran5301]

Hoarse

[@PhillyGirl-pt3vq]

Pankow is NO hero. He’s not notable in any way. (There are many fantastic trombone players out there!) I’ve read many things about the troubles of Chicago. And he seems to be a negative person & has treated some in that band unfairly. Besides, Chicago died when Terry Kath did. 😔🙏🏻Many would agree on that. After that they haven’t produced anything decent. A failure really. Pankow and Lamm are still riding on the coattails of that once great band.

[@johnmooter2300]

only solos occasionally but his writing is great