“Hot can be cool, and cool can be hot, and each can be both. But hot or cool, man, jazz is jazz.”
-Louis Armstrong
Band Members
David Jellema - cornet & clarinet
David Jellema - cornet & clarinet
Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in its suburbs, David Jellema learned to play cornet through grade and secondary school band programs and some private lessons. On hearing recordings of cornetist Bix Beiderbecke when he was nine, Jellema developed an early interest in traditional jazz, amply fortified in the hearing of Bixian cornetist Tom Pletcher play live near his summer home near Lake Michigan. School years were spent in the traditional jazz-rich environment of the Potomac River Jazz Club, whereby bands and musicians associated with the PRJC had David sit in or substitute occasionally. Both his father (poet Rod Jellema) and an uncle were jazz enthusiasts and collectors.
After studying, obtaining his BA in Classical Civilizations and a few years living in the Middle East, Jellema returned to pursue a Master’s of Library Sciences. For a practicum, internship, and contract work, Jellema worked at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in the Archives Center, processing the business records of Duke Ellington. From there he moved to Tennessee to work for five years as the archivist at the Center for Popular Music, a research library and archives of American vernacular music.
From here he resigned in order to pursue performance opportunities with various jazz groups and a rock band; and to record as well with various pop groups in and around Nashville and Murfreesboro.
Jellema moved to San Antonio in July 2007 in order to play at the Landing, where he performs shifts on its patio overlooking the Riverwalk and substitutes for Jim Cullum in his absence. Through these opportunities Jellema came to know the other members of the Hot Rhythm Cats.
When playing cornet, Jellema plays on a 1965 Getzen Eterna.
Click here to send email to David Jellema
(photograph by ANAKA, Bordeaux, France http://www.anakaphotographie.com)
A Northern California native, Mike Pittsley began playing trombone at the age of 10 and started playing professionally while still in high school. Constant exposure to traditional jazz via the then-new Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society, gave Mike a deep love and understanding of the early jazz styles and its masters. While in Northern California, Mike also drew upon his classical training and did numerous educational presentations with the Sacramento Symphony's brass and percussion demonstration ensemble. Just into college, Mike had already established himself as an in-demand freelance trombonist in the Northern California area. Mike became a regular with the pit orchestra at the Sacramento Music Circus, a summer stock tent theater presenting Broadway musicals such as Paint Your Wagon, The Music Man, Irene, Oklahoma, Guys and Dolls, etc.
In early 1978, Mike was invited to join The Jim Cullum Jazz Band, where he remained until 2000. While on the Cullum band, Mike performed on over 100 broadcasts of Riverwalk, Live from the Landing with some of the finest jazz musicians in the business, such as Dick Hyman, Lionel Hampton, Bob Wilbur, Bob Barnard, Joe Williams, Dan Barrett, Bob Havens, Benny Carter, Marty Groos, Kenny Davern and Milt Hinton.
Upon leaving the Cullum band in 2000, Mike resumed his freelance career, as well as teaching low brass in the San Antonio area. Although known primarily as a jazz trombonist, Mike can be seen performing in a wide variety of musical settings, from section work in a big band, to classical music in brass ensembles and chamber groups.
Mike is an artist for the Edwards Instrument Company and plays a T302 Edwards trombone with a Doug Elliott mouthpiece combination.
Click here to send email to Mike Pittsley
Mark is a multi-instrumentalist, playing both piano and trombone. Mark has studied a wide variety of jazz styles and is quick to name many of the legends of jazz as his idols: Fats Waller, Teddy Wilson, Bobby Hackett, Jack Teagarden, Bill Evans, Duke Ellington, Wynton Kelly, Thelonious Monk, Dave McKenna, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Charlie Parker & many more.
Mark began his professional career in 1968 at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor when he was just fifteen years old. Shortly thereafter, while still in his teens, Mark was invited to join The Jim Cullum Jazz Band (known then as The Happy Jazz Band). While with Jim's group, Mark won the prestigious Texas Ragtime Championship in 1975.
Although Mark enjoys playing all styles of jazz, it becomes immediately apparent to Mark's listeners that he favors the older, traditional jazz styles.
Mark left the Cullum band in the mid 1970's and, joining with his brother Kevin on drums, and Len on string bass, they struck out on their own to perform a wide variety of engagements in and around the San Antonio area, eventually venturing into the modern jazz styles of the late 40's and 50's.
With San Antonio's booming tourism trade and the existence of the nationally renown San Antonio Riverwalk, Mark has become much in demand; both as a solo performer and as a valued sideman.
When he's not working with the Hot Rhythm Cats, Mark can frequently be heard performing on the Riverwalk, outside on the Landing patio, along with some of San Antonio's finest musicians.
Click here to send email to Mark Hess
Eddie hails from "The Big Apple," New York City.
Eddie is self-taught; a truly gifted, natural musician. Eddie idolized legendary jazz drummers, Gene Krupa and Zutty Singleton. As a child, Eddie would frequently sneak out of the house and stand outside the Manhattan jazz clubs where he could hear the music and listen to his idols play - long before he was old enough to be allowed inside!
Eddie has now achieved his own notoriety in the jazz world. Many of the greatest drummers in the business today have stood in awe and marveled at the techniques Eddie effortlessly employs to propel a jazz band to new levels of musical excitement and drive.
Also a long-time member of The Jim Cullum Jazz Band, Eddie left the band in late 1999 in order to move back to Dallas and be closer to his family. With his children having grown and left the nest, Eddie returned to San Antonio to resume his position as one of the most in-demand traditional jazz drummers in the Southwest.
Pierre hails from the jazz capital of the world, New Orleans, LA. Pierre relocated to San Antonio, TX to escape the wrath of hurricane Katrina. Since then, Pierre has established himself as one of most in-demand jazz musicians in San Antonio. In addition to playing fine sax and clarinet, Pierre is an incredible vocalist who can captivate an audience with his fabulous voice.
Tim Paco is also a New Orleans transplant and we're sure glad he's here! Tim is a hard-swinging, versatile musician who's driving bass lines add to the solid foundation that makes the Mission City Hot Rhythm Cats one of the hottest and most swinging bands you're ever likely to hear.