Pianist Dr. James PolkPolk, James’s musical knowledge and worldwide experience spanned over more than 50 years. A leading figure in AustinAustin, Polk was born on September 10, 1940 in Yoakum, TexasTexas, and grew up in Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi, where he initiated his extensive resume. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, he came up along with an incredible group of Texan jazzjazz and bluesblues musicians, including David Newman, Arnett Cobb and Kenny DorhamDorham, Kenny, and his sound had that unique Texas flavor, deeply rooted in the blues. In 1959, he moved to Austin, where he eventually formed James Polk & The Brothers, one of the first integrated bands in a largely segregated town. Featuring some of the finest Austin musicians—Martin BanksBanks, Martin, W. C. ClarkClark, W.C., Matthew RobinsonRobinson, Matthew and Angela StrehliStrehli, Angela—James Polk & The Brothers became an informal music academy for jazz, blues and funkfunk.