Stu Calhoon

Although Stu’s career as a pianist began in his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, it flourished here in Des Moines.

Inspired by George Shearing, Stu began playing jazz piano in the later 1940’s. Responding to an ad in Downbeat, he landed in Des Moines in 1953 to play with the Jack Cole Band. A year later, he made his way to Southern California., returning to Iowa in 1970.

Since his return, Stu has performed with a who’s who of the area’s best musicians in just about every venue possible. That includes his innovative, “Trial of Jazz” which appeared on Iowa Public Television.

“Stu has definitely paid his dues and deserves this honor,” commented Sam Salomone of Stu’s induction into the Jazz Hall of Fame. “He’s been at it for a long time and keeps going and going. Just like the Energizer bunny.”