The Versatility of Jim Maihack

On April 30, 2022, we mourned the loss of Jim Maihack—one of the best traditional jazz performers of recent times. Jim was also one of the most versatile musicians in the business. Though he was probably best known for his tuba work with Turk Murphy’s San Francisco Jazz Band, Jim often stepped from behind the brass bass, picked up a banjo and sang numbers like “Kansas City Kitty” and “Row, Row, Row.” Jim played piano in the final edition of Turk’s band (including the 1987 concert at Carnegie Hall). When Turk was too ill to continue playing with the band at the New Orleans Room of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, Jim stepped in to play trombone until the group finally disbanded. Over the years, Jim could be heard on all of his instruments in a variety of musical settings, including Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band, a duo with banjoist Scott Anthony, the Golden Gate Rhythm Machine, Bob Schulz’s Frisco Jazz Band, High Sierra Jazz Band, the Cell Block Seven, Bay Area All Stars, St. Louis Rivermen, and many others. After leaving Turk’s ensemble, Jim assembled his own outstanding group. Originally called “The Tappers,” the band was eventually renamed “San Francisco Brass.” The personnel included trumpeters Ev Farey and Bob Neighbor, trombonist Mike Starr, clarinetist Phil Howe, and other top Bay Area talent. I was able to hear Jim with almost all the bands