San Antonio jazz musician
Pianist. Trombonist. Stride specialist. A trusted musical and operational partner to Jim Cullum—and an enduring voice in San Antonio jazz. Mark, Kevin and Len Hess are enduring icons of jazz performance in San Antonio and beyond—local legends whose artistry, musical chemistry and unmistakable swing have delighted generations of listeners.
Shakey’s Pizza Parlor · Circa 1969
Mark Hess was 16 years old when this photograph was taken at Shakey’s. He is seated at the piano in the center, with Jim Newell behind him. Charles Kuentz and John Bradshaw are also among the musicians pictured.
The musicians informally called themselves “Ye’ Old Shakey’s Jazz Band.” Mark’s father, John Hess, played clarinet in the band; he is outside the photograph’s frame.
Mark and Jim formed a lifelong friendship and musical bond at Shakey’s. They still perform together today in the Gr8 Band.
Recently added
See the newest photographs, performances, recordings and special recognitions added to Mark’s musical story.
Upcoming performances
Tap a public venue’s name to visit its official website. Performance details may change; please confirm with the venue before traveling.
Photos
01
A life in jazz
Mark Hess is a San Antonio jazz pianist and trombonist whose career spans traditional jazz, stride piano, swing and modern jazz. He began performing professionally in 1968 at age fifteen at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor.
In approximately 1972, while still a young man, Mark joined Jim Cullum’s Happy Jazz Band. He spent about five years as a full-time member, playing regularly at The Landing—the celebrated jazz club on the San Antonio River Walk—and traveling extensively with the band.
Over time, the ensemble became the Jim Cullum Landing Jazz Band and later the Jim Cullum Jazz Band. Jim Cullum regarded Mark as his “right-hand man” in both a musical and operational sense. Mark also served as vice president of The Landing, Inc., reflecting the confidence and responsibility Cullum placed in him beyond the bandstand.
On the road
With Cullum, Mark performed in major jazz centers and small towns alike—bringing the band’s traditional sound far beyond San Antonio.
Recorded legacy
During his years with the band, Mark participated in New York recording sessions devoted to Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and Bix Beiderbecke. Their music—particularly that of Beiderbecke—strongly shaped the band’s repertoire and musical philosophy.
Mark is credited on Jim Cullum recordings as both a trombonist and pianist, including Happy Jazz: The First Ten Years and recordings devoted to the music of Jelly Roll Morton.
1973
Mark became particularly accomplished in stride piano—a demanding style built on a powerful, independent left hand and an improvising right hand.
Piano influences
Mark met and was inspired by celebrated pianists Teddy Wilson, Ralph Sutton and Dick Wellstood. Sutton and Wellstood were leading exponents of stride; Wilson’s elegant swing style grew partly from the stride tradition. Their artistry helped shape Mark’s own distinctive approach.
Family first
After approximately five years full time, Mark chose to reduce his touring and devote more time to his family. He remained close to Cullum and continued performing with him periodically into the 1990s. His skill, energy and showmanship kept him in demand as a sensational performer.
02
An enduring San Antonio voice
Mark, Kevin and Len Hess are enduring icons of jazz performance in San Antonio and beyond—local legends whose artistry, musical chemistry and unmistakable swing have delighted generations of listeners.
In the early 1980s, the three brothers formed their own jazz group, the Hess Brothers Band. They explored the modern jazz styles of the 1940s and 1950s while preserving their deep connection to traditional jazz—and the brothers continue performing together today.
Mark also played with Jim Newell at Shakey’s, where they formed a longtime friendship and musical bond. Their collaboration continues today, with Mark and Jim still performing together in the Gr8 Band.
Across his career, Mark has remained active as a solo pianist, band member and valued sideman. He has performed extensively on the San Antonio River Walk, appeared with the Mission City Hot Rhythm Cats, worked with many of the city’s finest musicians and made his own solo-piano recording.
Mark and his musical friends also perform for senior centers throughout the community and at public events presented by the City of San Antonio. These appearances continue his lifelong commitment to sharing live jazz with audiences across the city.
03
Watch & listen
These publicly available recordings document Mark and Kevin Hess in several musical settings. More family recordings, Gr8 Band performances and photographs will be added from the Hess collection.
Original music
The following original songs were written by Mark Hess: “Gaby,” “Por Mi Amor” and “I Love You Truly.”
Mark Hess orchestrated and directed the production.
Filmed and recorded by Sean Sankey, owner of Studio E.
Special recognition to Jean-Philippe Rominger on guitar and George Prado on bass.
Mark Hess, piano; Kevin Hess, drums; George Prado, bass; and Jean-Philippe Rominger, guitar.
Video
The Mission City Hot Rhythm Cats at Jim Cullum’s Landing, with Mark Hess on piano and Ed Torres on drums.
Watch on YouTube ↗Audio · Texas Public Radio
This 57-minute set features Jean-Philippe Rominger, Terry Hankins, Brandon Rivas and Kevin Hess on drums, recorded May 16, 2023. Mark did not perform on this TPR program; he had already chosen to reduce touring and focus on his family while remaining active in San Antonio music.
Listen at Texas Public Radio ↗Video collection
A San Antonio variety band performing classic country, rock, blues and jazz. Mark continues his longtime musical partnership with Jim Newell in the group.
Visit the Gr8 Band channel ↗04
Preserving the collection
Recordings, performances, photographs and historic materials can be catalogued here as the collection grows. Items may be moved from the main page into the archive without being lost, keeping current news easy to find while preserving Mark’s artistic story.
Enter the archive →Help preserve the Artistic Story
Photographs, recordings, stories, corrections and other additions for consideration may be sent to contact person Cathy Taylor.
Email Cathy TaylorVisiting San Antonio?
King William Getaway offers a furnished one-bedroom stay in the historic King William neighborhood, two blocks from the River Walk.
Visit King William Getaway
04
Share a memory
Tell us about the music.
Did you hear Mark, the Hess Brothers Band or the Gr8 Band? Share a memory about the musicians, a performance or a venue you attended.
All comments are reviewed by Cathy Taylor before they are published.
Community memories
Loading approved comments…