Geneseo String Band

**Russ Donahue** · Dec-18-2017, 5:36pm

Received my college alumni magazine today from Geneseo State University in New York, and was delighted to find a feature on Jim Kimball, Lecturer of Music and Director of the Geneseo String Band. In the photo he's holding a W.A. Cole banjolin (or mandolin banjo as it is referenced in the article). An unexpected mandolin feature in an unexpected place. Jim, if you're a Cafe member, congratulations!

**allenhopkins** · Dec-18-2017, 5:59pm

I've been playing with Jim Kimball since the mid-1970's, mostly historical music programs. He's a trained musicologist, a talented multi-instrumentalist, and a real historian of NY State fiddle music. His Geneseo String Band has played for dances at the SUNY college, and for a variety of community events. I've had him call many a dance, with bands of local musicians.

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Assuming this loads, that's Jim in the top hat with the fiddle, at Genesee Country Museum in Mumford with our Flint Hill Folk group. I'm over on the left, right in front of Jim, with concertina, and with my Washburn bowl-back mandola leaning next to me.

**Russ Donahue** · Dec-18-2017, 6:02pm

Originally Posted by allenhopkins

I've been playing with Jim Kimball since the mid-1970's, mostly historical music programs. He's a trained musicologist, a talented multi-instrumentalist, and a real historian of NY State fiddle music. His Geneseo String Band has played for dances at the SUNY college, and for a variety of community events. I've had him call many a dance, with bands of local musicians.

Assuming this loads, that's Jim in the top hat with the fiddle, at Genesee Country Museum in Mumford with our Flint Hill Folk group. I'm over on the left, right in front of Jim, with concertina, and with my Washburn bowl-back mandola leaning next to me.

Thanks for posting this Allen. I was at Geneseo in the late 70's (graduated '79). I don't think the String Band was around then, but if it was, I am sorry to have missed it!

**mtm** · Dec-19-2017, 3:00pm

I graduated from Geneseo in '81, and while not 'in tune' with the mandolin at the time, also don't recall this group. I do recall the "Moss Back Mule Band" playing bluegrass at the now defunct "Gentleman Jim's".... Ah, Geneseo, those were the days....

**allenhopkins** · Dec-19-2017, 3:19pm

Lots of Geneseo String Band vids on YouTube. Here's one from 2014; looks like a pub jam. Jim shows up about 0:51. in the snowflake sweater, playing button accordion.

**Russ Donahue** · Dec-19-2017, 6:32pm

Originally Posted by mtm

I graduated from Geneseo in '81, and while not 'in tune' with the mandolin at the time, also don't recall this group. I do recall the "Moss Back Mule Band" playing bluegrass at the now defunct "Gentleman Jim's".... Ah, Geneseo, those were the days....

Gentleman Jims, the Idle Hour, the Inn Between...too many bars and too little time! Dancing around the Bears at the center of town...Kimmelwicks. How did I ever graduate?

**Willie Poole** · Dec-19-2017, 9:44pm

Allen, It`s funny how we picture people from their posts and then when we see a photo of them it is always different, I never pictured you to look like that in the photo...I had some videos posted about a year ago and I guess it was the same when people saw what I looked like, a hansom devil, no doubt...Both of us, I mean....

**mtm** · Dec-20-2017, 3:05pm

Originally Posted by Willie Poole

Allen, It`s funny how we picture people from their posts and then when we see a photo of them it is always different, I never pictured you to look like that in the photo...I had some videos posted about a year ago and I guess it was the same when people saw what I looked like, a hansom devil, no doubt...Both of us, I mean....

Those avatars are so deceiving ...