New Dallas Wind Symphony release Playing With Fire‘s title work features the sounds of the Jim Cullum Jazz Band, so today we wanted to introduce this legendary ensemble:

Organized in 1962, the Jim Cullum Jazz Band is renowned worldwide for playing the classic jazz associated with King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and Bix Beiderbecke (among others) plus music by great American composers such as Hoagy Carmichael, George Gershwin and Irving Berlin. The band has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap Farm, Austin City Limits, at festivals and concerts across the U.S. and Latin America, and on a wildly successful tour of Russia. The musicians are full-time professionals, with extensive backgrounds in traditional jazz, swing and other vintage musical styles. Since 1987, RIVERWALK JAZZ radio broadcasts have featured the Jim Cullum Jazz Band with distinguished musical guests. The Pacific Vista Production is heard worldwide on Public Radio International. The Jim Cullum Jazz Band is the only classic jazz group in America which performs five nights a week on a regular basis.

Read a wonderful feature on the history of the band Just Jazz magazine calls “the highest profile jazz ensemble in America” in their issue celebrating the band’s 50th Anniversary (click here and scroll down)!