About Us

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The Musicians

Although the Magnolia Jazz Band regularly performs with up to six musicians, the nucleus of the band is Robbie Schlosser, cornet & string bass; Gary Milliken, clarinet; and Andy Norblin, guitar & banjo.

Robbie Schlosser formed the Magnolia Jazz Band in 1975, and music was his main hobby up to then. He began learning violin in the third grade, cornet the next year, and string bass 27 years later. During high school and college, Robbie’s musical interests focused on playing cornet in marching bands and French horn in concert bands and orchestras. After college he lived in New York state and worked as a scientist and a science teacher. He also played occasionally with several informal dixieland bands, including one named “The South Happiness Street Society Skiffle Band”. Moving to northern California in the early ’70s, he joined the South Bay Traditional Jazz Society, where he met many musicians he would work with over the next 30-plus years.

Gary Milliken began playing clarinet at the age of eight, and has played in countless musical settings since then. As a music major at San Jose State University, he worked in every type of ensemble, from medieval consorts to experimental electronics — but jazz was always his first love. He played in the saxophone sections of many big bands, but he now devotes himself solely to his first instrument, the clarinet.

Andy Norblin first played with Magnolia in 1988. Back in the late 1950s, enthralled by movies like “Rock Around the Clock”, he started playing guitar at age 14. Andy put himself through college in the early 60’s by playing in local rock n’ roll and dance bands. Graduating with a degree in Economics and a teaching credential, he taught elementary, middle school, and junior college Economics for several years. All the while, he continued working as a musician, both on guitar and banjo, primarily with the Tolleson Music Organization in San Francisco.

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History of the Band

In January 1975, a San Jose nightclub owner heard Robbie playing at an after-hours jam session, and hired him to lead a jazz band to entertain his customers. Robbie called five friends from the South Bay Traditional Jazz Society and organized the original Magnolia Jazz Band. The job lasted six weeks, every Friday and Saturday night.

Through the mid ’70s, we continued playing, often expanding to nine musicians, and performed at dances, parties, and concerts. In the late ’70s and early ’80s, we specialized in playing the New Orleans revival style, popularized by the Bunk Johnson, George Lewis, and Preservation Hall Jazz Bands. The sextet made seven recordings, toured through the midwest and the east coast, and performed at many jazz festivals throughout the country. Now in the 21st century, the band is much more diverse and going stronger than ever.

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25 Interesting Things About Robbie

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Recordings

These recordings are no longer available. For information, please request a catalog from each company:
-     Stomp Off Records, P.O. Box 342, York, PA 17405
-     GHB Records, 1206 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

Shake That Thing (SOS1137, recorded 1983)
Robbie Schlosser, bass; Jimmy Mazzy, banjo; Walt Sereth, clarinet; Bill Carter, clarinet; Jim Klippert, trombone
King Joe, Breeze, Royal Telephone, Blue Bungalo, Moonlight, Creole Love Call, Black Girl, Shake That Thing, Corrine Corrina, Smooth Sailing, Jelly Bean Blues, Shiek of Araby.

Art Hodes and the Magnolia Jazz Band (GHB172, recorded 1982, CD AVAILABLE)
Art Hodes, piano; Robbie Schlosser, bass; Jim Borkenhagen, trumpet; Bill Carter, clarinet; Jim Klippert, trombone; Danny Ruedger, banjo; Jeff Hamilton, drums.
How Long How Long Blues, Just A Little While to Stay Here, Hurry Down Sunshine, Linger Awhile, Magnolia Blues, Some Of These Days, Beale Street Blues, I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover.

The Magnolia Jazz Band and Art Hodes (GHB 171, recorded 1982, CD AVAILABLE)
Art Hodes, piano; Robbie Schlosser, bass; Jim Borkenhagen, trumpet; Bill Carter, clarinet; Jim Klippert, trombone; Danny Ruedger, banjo; Jeff Hamilton, drums.
See See Rider, Yearning, Life Is Like A Book, Weary Blues, Chimes Blues, I Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None Of My Jelly Roll, Someday Sweetheart, Shake That Thing.

Red Onion Blues (SOS1016, recorded 1981)
Robbie Schlosser, bass; Jim Borkenhagen, trumpet; Bill Carter, clarinet; Jim Klippert, trombone; Danny Ruedger, banjo; Jeff Hamilton, drums.
One Sweet Letter From You, Far Away Blues, Tailgate Ramble, Memphis Shake, Mobile Stomp, Good Time Flat Blues, Old Rugged Cross, Red Onion Blues, Hesitating Blues, I Can’t Escape From You.

Read more about our earlier Recordings