1clammmer
Greetings again. I have a question about a piece of music and this group (I hope) might be able to help me identify a March. I do not know where else to ask.
This march is quite a lively example of what one would call "Circus" music. In fact, it is the "theme song" for an old radio show called, "Jerry of the Circus". The defining quality of this march is the solo Trombone in the third strain--a series of "glissandos" that are accompanied by trills in the clarinet section.
The radio show aired back in the mid to late 1930s. It may be that the March is simply titled "Jerry of the Circus" ... but, as a (retired) piccolo player, I have a soft spot for all things "marchy" ... esp. little-known obbligato parts (like for the trombone). If anyone might know how I might find the name of this particular piece I would be grateful. Of course, it may just be a "one off" that was written just for the radio show. But I would also be interested in any works / books / articles / etc. about the genre of "Circus MusIc" that was written specifically for "Circus Bands."
I can't seem to find anything on the intertube, so I humbly ask here. Thank you in advance, and my nickname here now has 3 "m"s because I forgot how to log in with the name I used to use here which was "clammer". Thank you.
This march is quite a lively example of what one would call "Circus" music. In fact, it is the "theme song" for an old radio show called, "Jerry of the Circus". The defining quality of this march is the solo Trombone in the third strain--a series of "glissandos" that are accompanied by trills in the clarinet section.
The radio show aired back in the mid to late 1930s. It may be that the March is simply titled "Jerry of the Circus" ... but, as a (retired) piccolo player, I have a soft spot for all things "marchy" ... esp. little-known obbligato parts (like for the trombone). If anyone might know how I might find the name of this particular piece I would be grateful. Of course, it may just be a "one off" that was written just for the radio show. But I would also be interested in any works / books / articles / etc. about the genre of "Circus MusIc" that was written specifically for "Circus Bands."
I can't seem to find anything on the intertube, so I humbly ask here. Thank you in advance, and my nickname here now has 3 "m"s because I forgot how to log in with the name I used to use here which was "clammer". Thank you.
2kac522
Is this the show?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0lG-EqSGtU&list=PLlUoyloCGlWzN7eRHVsi657mjs...
You might contact the broadcasters of the video--Old Time Radio Researchers:
https://www.youtube.com/@OTRR
Also there's an old time radio show in the Chicago area on WDCB. Steve Darnell, the show's host, is full of old radio knowledge--he'd probably be glad to help you identify the music:
https://wdcb.org/program/those-were-the-days
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0lG-EqSGtU&list=PLlUoyloCGlWzN7eRHVsi657mjs...
You might contact the broadcasters of the video--Old Time Radio Researchers:
https://www.youtube.com/@OTRR
Also there's an old time radio show in the Chicago area on WDCB. Steve Darnell, the show's host, is full of old radio knowledge--he'd probably be glad to help you identify the music:
https://wdcb.org/program/those-were-the-days
3librorumamans
For what it's worth Google Now Playing identifies the tune as "Night Check" by Sam Randall. A DDG search leads to a Spotify page featuring "Jerry of the Circus". I'm not on Spotify, so I can't give it a listen.
Or on Deezer, whatever that is.
Or on Deezer, whatever that is.
4John5918
>3 librorumamans: Or on Deezer, whatever that is
Forgive an off topic comment, but that phrase reminds me of a well known and no longer young news reader on a British news channel who a few years ago ended one broadcast by saying, "I've been told to tell you that Sky News is now on SnapChat". He then turns to the second camera and adds in a slightly bewildered tone, "Whatever that is!"
Forgive an off topic comment, but that phrase reminds me of a well known and no longer young news reader on a British news channel who a few years ago ended one broadcast by saying, "I've been told to tell you that Sky News is now on SnapChat". He then turns to the second camera and adds in a slightly bewildered tone, "Whatever that is!"
5clammmer
>2 kac522: Yes indeed, and the link you provided plays the very music I am seeking to identify!!
I will reach out to Mr. Darnell as well as the researcher who led me to the restoration of "Jerry and the Circus" and its "trombone glissando" (I think that's a glissando, I'm not sure if that is the right word."
I stumbled across an old magazine article about circus music ... it mentioned a group called the "Windjammers" who seek to maintain circus music history. I hope some of them are still around. It also mentioned a music publisher who specialized in march and circus music; if they are still around, I might try them, too.
Well, thank you all for your kind help. BTW the whole "Jerry of the Circus" radio show is, I think, on internet archive. I listen to it on Antioch Old Time Radio (along with most of all its other old time radio shows.) his URL is radio.macinmind dot com or just search the interdude search thing for Antioch Old Time Radio
Thank you again.
I will reach out to Mr. Darnell as well as the researcher who led me to the restoration of "Jerry and the Circus" and its "trombone glissando" (I think that's a glissando, I'm not sure if that is the right word."
I stumbled across an old magazine article about circus music ... it mentioned a group called the "Windjammers" who seek to maintain circus music history. I hope some of them are still around. It also mentioned a music publisher who specialized in march and circus music; if they are still around, I might try them, too.
Well, thank you all for your kind help. BTW the whole "Jerry of the Circus" radio show is, I think, on internet archive. I listen to it on Antioch Old Time Radio (along with most of all its other old time radio shows.) his URL is radio.macinmind dot com or just search the interdude search thing for Antioch Old Time Radio
Thank you again.
6clammmer
Also, as an aside that some might find interesting:
It was noted in my readings about circus music, that circus bands did not play Souza's _Stars & Stripes_ ... unless there were an emergency or some other situation that needed dire attention. It was only played as a sort of "alarm" to the circus performers, or a "HEADS UP!!! CLOWN DOWN, I repeat, CLOWN DOWN!!!!!"
I thought that was a nice piece of trivia.
It was noted in my readings about circus music, that circus bands did not play Souza's _Stars & Stripes_ ... unless there were an emergency or some other situation that needed dire attention. It was only played as a sort of "alarm" to the circus performers, or a "HEADS UP!!! CLOWN DOWN, I repeat, CLOWN DOWN!!!!!"
I thought that was a nice piece of trivia.
7librorumamans
>4 John5918:
You're forgiven. Although I do try to keep up, more and more often I feel like that newsreader.
You're forgiven. Although I do try to keep up, more and more often I feel like that newsreader.
8kac522
>5 clammmer: Glad to help. Hope you find out what you're looking for. And if you're free on a Saturday, do take a listen to Steve Darnell's program "Those Were the Days" on wdcb.org. It's on every Saturday from 1pm until 5pm (U.S. Central time). His shows usually have a nice mix of old radio mystery, drama, comedy and variety shows. Many times the ads are kept into the broadcast, which are interesting just by themselves.
9Tess_W
>5 clammmer: Believe it or not, I have two very old Cassette tapes which has 15 minute episodes of Jerry at Fair Oaks, which was the follow up to Jerry at the Circus. An MP3 is still for sale of this on Amazon relatively cheaply.
