The Umbrella Jazzmen, a jazz group from Berlin, Germany, were founded on January 29, 1962, though the band's origins traced back to 1958 when Wolfgang Richter joined the Candlelight Serenaders. In 1960, they renamed themselves Umbrella Jazzmen and merged with the Hot Pipers in January 1962. The group initially performed regularly in the jazz club Eierschale am Breitenbachplatz. Their first studio album, Just Smilin' in the Rain, was released in 1975, followed by Just Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella! in July 1978, which featured their signature song "Just Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella!". The band gained national and international recognition through performances at various jazz festivals and events, including the German Film Awards and the International Dixieland Festival in Dresden. They also collaborated with notable figures like Mr. Acker Bilk and Chris Barber’s jazz band.
