First violinist Jim Sitterly was classically trained, and classic individual
by Erin Waldner Painter Dan Pinkham met violinist Jim Sitterly on the school bus when the two were growing up in Palos Verdes. “I knew him as the blonde kid on the bus who carried a violin case,” Pinkham said. “That was unusual then.” A poster for a performance by Jim Sitterly of his violin concerto, conducted by celebrated movie score composer Elmer Berstein “His sister claims when Jim was six, he saw Jack Benny on TV and he was funny and he played the violin. Jim wanted to play the violin like Jack Benny,” Pinkham said. “That was his world then.” Pinkham said. Sitterly’s daughter, Madeline Sitterly, said: “I think he was truly put on this planet to play the violin.” She added, “It was like an extension of himself.” Sitterly passed away Jan. 31, at age 71, following a long battle with heart disease. Over the years he learned other instruments, as well, including the piano and guitar. “His whole house is filled with instruments — all kinds of instruments from all over the world,” daughter Alexandria Sitterly said. Sitterly graduated from Palos Verdes High School and went on to study literature and music at UC Santa Barbara. In college he put together a musical troupe called Little…
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