John Bartmann, trumpet

John Bartmann became the QCJB’s trumpet player in 1985.  He served with the US Army in the 5th US Army Band and the "Rolling Along Show", a showgroup which appeared on the Ed Sullivan TV show and toured the world.  He recently retired after 40 years of being an elementary band teacher.  He and his wife now reside in the heart of bustling downtown Denver in a new high-rise.  John loves to ski and fly fish.

Eric Staffeldt, trombone

Eric Staffeldt is the QCJB’s trombonist.  He holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Denver and writes and arranges for a number of local groups, including the QCJB.  Eric has worked for many years in the design industry, providing custom finishes for furniture and cabinetry in some of Denver’s finest homes.  Eric is a freelance musician as well as a regular performing member of several Denver area ensembles, ranging in style from classical to salsa to jazz.

John Bredenberg, clarinet/saxophone

Reedman, John Bredenberg, joined Queen City in 2005.  He hit the ground running with years of experience playing traditional jazz on clarinet, saxophone and banjo.  John served our country in the US Navy.  He circled the world on the USS America in 1970 and later became an Admiral’s chauffeur.  After the Navy he attended the University of Northern Colorado as a clarinet major.  John is also a master electrician, and his ‘real’ job is taking care of circuits at the Federal Center west of Denver.  John is crazy about old American cars.  His first car was a 1965 Chevelle which be purchased in 1972 and his still his daily drive.  He also tinkers with a 1967 BelAir and a 1950 Chevy Suburban.

Marl Shanahan, drums

Marl Shanahan has been the Queen City’s drummer since 1979.  Before enlisting in the  United States Marines in 1942, he played drums in territory bands in the Midwest.  After the war, he traveled with various bands and worked club jobs in Louisiana and on the east coast.  In 1950 he came to Denver to study art and advertising.  All during his career as a commercial artist, Marl continued to play with local Denver bands. Now he enjoys his family which includes his wife, three sons and three grandchildren.  One of his sons and one of his grandsons are notable drummers.  In the summer, he enjoys roving the Colorado mountains in search of the perfect photograph.

Rory Thomas, banjo

Rory Thomas is our banjoist. He first heard of the QCJB in 1969 at the Mon Vue Village, and decided right then that he wanted to be a member. He comes to the QCJB with a great deal of professional experience including playing with all of Denver's best bands. He also played with Karla West's Goodtyme Jazz Band. Rory earns a living as a graphic printing specialist. His significant other, Sandy, is our recording sales representative and answers our e-mails and phone calls. 

Hank Troy, piano

Hank Troy has been pianist with the QCJB since 1981. He is secretary/treasurer for the Queen City Jazz Foundation, and in this capacity helps with behind-the-scenes activities of the band, such as editing our newspaper, Jazz Notes, and helping to produce the band's annual concert. He is a nationally recognized expert in playing piano for silent movies. As leader of the Queen City Ragtime Ensemble, Hank promotes Ragtime, the great American music that was the precursor to the traditional jazz that the band performs. 

Wende Harston, vocals

The Queen City Jazz Band's vocalist, Wende Harston is a complete entertainer - she sings, dances and acts. She has appeared in my feature films and made-for-TV film series. She can be seen in local theater productions as well. She writes songs and is trying her hand at authoring a mystery novel. She enjoys a number of pets, and states that she is owned by a parrot. Another passion is her vintage doll collection.

Bill Clark, tuba/band leader

Bill Clark, tubist and leader of the Queen City Jazz Band, is a music professor at the University of Colorado at Denver. His favorite teaching endeavor is the Claim Jumpers, one of the Nation's finest college Dixieland bands. The CJs have performed in Munich and at the Moscow Conservatory, and have been featured at many jazz festivals across the country.

Like John Bartmann, Bill also performed on the Ed Sullivan Show when he was touring the country with the Your Father's Mustache Band. Like Rory Thomas, he set a goal to play with the QCJB when he heard the band as a high school student. Bill enjoys working on his old VWs and hiking in the rugged Colorado Rockies.