Jack Schaeffer: Strumbola

Jack Schaeffer is a longtime Marin county saxophonist who, since the 1970s, has frequently been showcased at San Francisco and Sausalito nightclubs. Schaeffer is a staple of Mill Valley's Sweetwater Inn, opening the club with his AnExchange Quartet back in the 1970s. Still playing these many years later, Schaeffer frequently gigs with his Hot House Swing Band.

“Saxist Jack,” as he is affectionately known, has piqued interest and curiosity with his conversion, invention or, perhaps, contraption, the tiple-styled multi-string instrument Schaeffer has named Strumbola.

Schaeffer has been Robinson's friend for a half century, when he was the drummer in the saxophonist's first Dixieland Combo. Robinson was there when Schaeffer first picked up the clarinet, and the great bandleader/teacher Phil Moore showed him how to blow it. Schaeffer has never looked back—he's been blowin' it ever since.

Even years after Robinson had gone into film he followed Schaeffer's career, flying to Aspen and Sun Valley to catch the saxophonist's gigs. “Always, with my presence in the room, he'd seem to play the most remarkable solo, just for me,” says Robinson. Truth be known, Schaeffer always delivers the most remarkable and memorable performance. His styling, phrasing and imagery literally take you somewhere else.

Robinson laughed as he looked back, remembering how, even after years on stage with dance bands, when he first started playing in surf bands Schaeffer would stand off in the wings between solos. Robinson had to tell him he was supposed to stay on stage. He just felt awkward standing there doing nothing. He learned to take small dance steps and, in time, got used to being part of the show even while not playing. It seems that his participative attitude has had much to do with Schaeffer's musical designs, and filling the creative space.