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.
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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.
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An enduring San Antonio voice
In the early 1980s, Mark and his brothers, Kevin Hess and Len Hess, 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.
