Jim Ott Brass Ensemble receives $1,500 Grant check from the Sponsors of Musical Enrichment.
“We are happy to support another great San Joaquin Valley performing arts group.”, states Mike Canote, President of SOME. “In the short time that they have been in existence, they have well represented the music of Jim Ott, the City of Stockton, and the Drum Corps activity.”
The Jim Ott Brass Ensemble (JOBE) was started in 2011 by Bonnie Ott Thompson (sister of Jim Ott), Roy Perez, and Bill Collins. They have performed as “gate entertainment” for numerous Oakland Raiders games, as well as performing at many Stockton venues, including the Asparagus Festival, Friday Night in Lincoln Center, Music in the Park, and local parades and drum corps shows. JOBE was formed to honor the memory of Jim Ott, a talented Stockton composer who died in an automobile accident in the early ’80s. Jim’s extensive music library was resurrected by his wife Maggie, who donated all of his hundreds of music charts to Jim’s sister Bonnie, so they could be played once again. “This is a labor of love for us”, said Bonnie Ott Thompson, “and I think Jim would be proud to see his music live on”.
The Sponsors of Musical Enrichment have also been fortunate to have Hal “Pops” Ott, father of Jim Ott, on our Board of Directors since our inception. “The Ott family has been instrumental (pun intended), to the Performing Arts”, states Mr. Canote.