James Pankow

James Carter Pankow (born August 20, 1947) is an American trombone player, songwriter, and a founding member of the rock band Chicago.

He is known for his brass arrangements, and for being one-third of Chicago's brass/woodwind section (alongside Lee Loughnane and Walter Parazaider), as well as a backing and occasional lead vocalist.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, of German and Irish descent, Pankow was one of nine siblings. He is the older brother of actor John Pankow, who appeared on the TV series Mad About You. The family moved to Park Ridge, Illinois, when he was eight years old.

Pankow was influenced by his musician father, Wayne. He started playing the trombone at St. Paul of the Cross Elementary School. His Notre Dame High School band instructor was Father George Wiskirchen, CSC.

Pankow earned a full music scholarship to Quincy College, where he studied the bass trombone. After completing his first year, he returned home for the summer and formed a band that began to play some live local shows. Not wanting to give up this work, Pankow transferred to DePaul University.

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.