James W. Sturr Jr. is an American

polka Polka is a dance and genre of dance music originating in nineteenth-century Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic. Though associated with Czech culture, polka is popular throughout Europe and the Americas. History Etymology The term ...

musician, trumpeter, clarinetist, saxophonist and leader of Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra. His recordings have won 18 out of the 24

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...

s given for Best Polka Album. Sturr's orchestra is on the Top Ten List of the All-Time Grammy Awards, and has acquired more Grammy nominations than anyone in the history of musical polka awards.

Touring history

Sturr and his orchestra have performed at

Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall ( ) is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. It is at 881 Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh Avenue, occupying the east side of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street (Manhattan), 56th and 57th Street (Manhatta ...

Lincoln Center Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (also simply known as Lincoln Center) is a complex of buildings in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It has thirty indoor and outdoor facilities and is host to 5 millio ...

in New York City, Yankee Stadium and the Palace of Culture in

Warsaw Warsaw ( pl, Warszawa, ), officially the Capital City of Warsaw,, abbreviation: ''m.st. Warszawa'' is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the River Vistula in east-central Poland, and its population is officia ...

, Poland. When touring, the band rides in Jimmy's 45-foot customized tour bus, previously owned by Billy Ray Cyrus.

Radio show

Sturr hosts a syndicated radio show on stations including

WTBQ WTBQ is an independent radio station broadcasting from Warwick, New York. The last locally-owned radio station in Orange County, New York (and one of the few in the entire Hudson Valley), WTBQ broadcasts on 1110 AM and 93.5 FM, throughout Orange ...

in his hometown of Florida, New York, the station he once owned. He also has a weekly radio show on the Rural Radio channel on SirusXM.

Discography

* ''All American Polka Festival'' * ''

All in My Love for You ''All in My Love for You'' is an album by Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra. In 1990, the album won Sturr the Grammy Award for Best Polka Recording. See also * Polka in the United States of America Polka is a music and dance style that originated i ...

'' (1990 Grammy) * ''The Best of Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra'' * ''The Big Band Polka Sound'' * ''

Born to Polka ''Born to Polka'' is an album by Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra. In 1989, the album won Sturr the Grammy Award for Best Polka Recording. See also * Polka in the United States Polka is a music and dance style that originated in Europe in the 1830 ...

'' (1989 Grammy) * ''Come on and Dance (Live from RFD-TV)'' (2014) * ''

Come Share the Wine ''Come Share the Wine'' is an album by Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra, released through Rounder Records on August 21, 2007. In 2008, the album won the group the Grammy Award for Best Polka Album. Track listing # "Dancin' with Rosie" (Mecham, Se ...

'' (2008 Grammy) * '' Dance with Me'' (1999 Grammy) * ''Double Magic'' * ''First Class Polkas'' * ''Forget Me Never'' * ''

Gone Polka ''Gone Polka'' is an album by Jimmy Sturr, released through Rounder Records on September 25, 2001. In 2002, the album won Sturr the Grammy Award for Best Polka Album. Track listing # "Yellow Rose of Texas Polka" – 2:52 # "Sugar and Spice Polka" ...

'' with

Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album ''Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of ''Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and '' Stardust'' (197 ...

, Brenda Lee (2002 Grammy) * ''Gonna be Good Times'' (2017) * ''Grammy Gold'' * ''Greatest Hits of Polka'' * ''

I Love to Polka ''I Love to Polka'' is an album by Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra, released through Rounder Records in 1995. In 1996, the album won Sturr the Grammy Award for Best Polka Album. Track listing # "It's Party Time" (Zalac) – 2:41 # "Dancing Clarine ...

'' (1996 Grammy) * ''

I Remember Warsaw ''I Remember Warsaw'' is an album by Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra. The album won Sturr a Grammy Award for Best Polka Recording at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards (1987). See also * Polka in the United States Polka is a music and dance style that o ...

'' (1987 Grammy) * ''A Jimmy Sturr Christmas'' * '' Let the Whole World Sing'' (2009 Grammy) * ''

Let's Polka 'Round ''Let's Polka 'Round'' is an album by Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra, released through Rounder Records on August 26, 2003. In 2004, the album won Sturr the Grammy Award for Best Polka Album. Track listing # "Polka Round" (Wing) – 2:18 # "Night T ...

'' with Charlie Daniels,

Bela Fleck Bela may refer to: Places Asia *Bela Pratapgarh, a town in Pratapgarh District, Uttar Pradesh, India *Bela, a small village near Bhandara, Maharashtra, India *Bela, another name for the biblical city Zoara * Bela, Dang, in Nepal * Bela, Janakpur, ...

Boots Randolph Homer Louis "Boots" Randolph III (June 3, 1927 – July 3, 2007) was an American musician best known for his 1963 saxophone hit "Yakety Sax" (which became Benny Hill's signature tune). Randolph was a major part of the "Nashville sound" for most o ...

(2004 Grammy) * ''Life's a Polka'' * ''

Live at Gilley's! ''Live at Gilley's!'' is a live album by Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra, released through Ranwood Records in 1991. In 1992, the album won Sturr the Grammy Award for Best Polka Album. Track listing Personnel * Gene Bartkiewicz – accordion ...

'' (1992 Grammy) * ''

Living on Polka Time ''Living on Polka Time'' is an album by Jimmy Sturr, released through Rounder Records in 1997. In 1998, the album won Sturr the Grammy Award for Best Polka Album. Track listing # "Dear Hearts and Gentle People" (Fain, Hilliard) – 2:23 # "Speed ...

'' with Bill Anderson,

Flaco Jiménez Leonardo "Flaco" Jiménez (born March 11, 1939) is an American singer, songwriter and accordionist from San Antonio, Texas. He is known for playing Norteño, Tex Mex and Tejano music. Jiménez has been a solo performer and session musician, as ...

(1998 Grammy) * ''Most Requested Hits'' * ''Not Just Another Polka'' * '' Please Have Them Play a Polka Just for Me'' (1988 Grammy) * ''

Polka! All Night Long ''Polka! All Night Long'' is an album by Jimmy Sturr. It was released through Rounder Records in 1996. In 1997, the album won Sturr the Grammy Award for Best Polka Album. Track listing # "All Night Long" (Gimble, Wills) – 2:48 # "Swirl" (Soyk ...

'' with

(1997 Grammy) * ''Polka Christmas'' * ''Polka Christmas in My Home Town'' * ''Polka Cola (Music That Refreshes)'' with Bill Anderson (2009) * ''Polka Fever'' (1978) * ''

Polka in Paradise ''Polka in Paradise'' is an album by Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra, released through Rounder Records on July 11, 2006. In 2007, the album won Sturr the Grammy Award for Best Polka Album. Track listing # "Put a Light in the Window" (Jacobson, Rob ...

'' with Bobby Vinton (2007 Grammy) * ''Polka is My Life'' * ''Polka Party'' * ''Polkapalooza'' * ''Primetime Polkas'' * ''Pure Country'' * ''Pure Polka'' * ''Rock 'N' Polka'' * ''Saturday Night Polka'' * ''

Shake, Rattle and Polka! ''Shake, Rattle and Polka!'' is an album by Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra, released through Rounder Records on October 11, 2005. In 2006, the album won Sturr the Grammy Award for Best Polka Album. Track listing # " Kansas City" (Jerry Leiber an ...

'' (2006 Grammy) * ''Stir Up a Musical Mix'' * ''Sturr It Up'' * ''Sturr Struck'' * '' Top of the World'' with Arlo Guthrie, Rhonda Vincent (2003 Grammy) * ''

Touched by a Polka ''Touched by a Polka'' is an album by Jimmy Sturr, released through Rounder Records on August 15, 2000. In 2001, the album won Sturr the Grammy Award for Best Polka Album. Track listing # "Tic Toc" – 3:13 # "If You've Got the Money (I've Got th ...

'' with Mel Tillis (2001 Grammy) * ''Tribute to the Legends of Polka Music'' * ''

When It's Polka Time at Your House ''When It's Polka Time at Your House'' is an album by Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra, released through Vanguard Records in 1991. In 1991, the album won Sturr the Grammy Award for Best Polka Recording. Track listing # "Sleep All Day" (Jimmy Sturr, ...

'' (1991 Grammy)

Band members

Band Members *Jimmy Sturr - Leader, Vocals, Clarinet, Saxophone, Drums, and Trumpet *Johnny Karas - Tenor Saxophone and Vocals *Nick DeVito - Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, and Piccolo *Jim Perry - Clarinet and Alto Saxophone *Frank Urbanovitch - Fiddle & Vocals *Al Piatkowski - Accordion *Bill Ash - Trumpet *Kenny Harbus - Trumpet & Vocals *Rick Henly - Trumpet *Rich Berends - Drums *Rich Pavasaris - Bass Guitar *Ron Oswanski - Piano & Accordion *Tom Conklin - Bus Driver and Sound Manager *Mike Magdon - Sound Manager *Gus Kosior - Manager & Bus Driver *Barbara James - Assistant Manager Reoccurring members *Nick Koryluk - Accordion *Joe Mariany - Clarinet and Saxophone *Ray Barno - Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, and Baritone Saxophone *Chris Caffery - Guitar Past members *William “Bill” Hulle - Bass *Hank Golis - Trumpet *Kevin Krauth - Trumpet & Vocals *Al Noble - Trumpet *Ben Poole - Trumpet *Eric Parks - Trumpet *Paul Ketterer - Trumpet *Dana Sylvander - Trombone *Dennis Coyman - Drums *Bill Langan - Bass Guitar *Mike Ralff - Bass Guitar *Dave Kowalski - Guitar *Eddie Burton - Guitar *Lou Pallo - Guitar *Kevin Chase - Guitar *Walt Cunningham - Strings & Banjo *Ed Goldberg - Piano & Bass *Jeff Hoffman - Piano *Jeff Miller - Piano *Keith Slattery - Piano *Lenny Filipowski - Piano *Dennis Polisky - Clarinet & Alto Saxophone *Greg Dolecki - Clarinet & Alto Saxophone *Joe Magnuszewski - Clarinet & Alto Saxophone *Peter Kargul - Violin *Ryan Joseph - Violin *Steve Wnuk - Violin *Gene Bartkiewicz - Accordion *Wally Czerniawski - Accordion *Darlene Morrow - Violin *Mark Zaki - Violin *Steve Swiader - Accordion *Gennarose - Vocals *Lance Wing - Vocals *Lindsey Webster - Vocals *John Doolan - Equipment Manager *Bryan Doolan - Roadie *Thomas 'Tom' Karas - Accordion/keyboard (1983-1989)

References

External links

Official websiteInterview with Jimmy Sturr
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sturr, Jimmy 1941 births Living people Polka musicians Grammy Award winners Singers from New York (state) American male saxophonists American clarinetists American male singers New York (state) Democrats People from Warwick, New York 21st-century American saxophonists 21st-century clarinetists 21st-century American male musicians