Brazil Concert Band pays tribute to 'Jewell of Wabash'

Monday, August 16, 2010

The Brazil Concert Band, under the direction of Matthew S. Huber, presents "Jewell Of The Wabash" at 8 p.m. Sunday, August 22 at Forest Park rain or shine.

Fred Jewell, 1875-1936, known as the "Indiana March King" was from Worthington and rose as a circus euphonium player to director of the Barnum and Bailey circus band.

Along the way, Jewell composed more than 200 works to include overtures, waltzes, serenades, trombone smears and marches.

Once he left circus life he led bands from Iowa to Florida before settling back in Worthington where he taught music and led adult bands including the Murat Shrine Band of Indianapolis.

Of special note, Jewell performed a season with the Brazil Concert Band in 1902.

His son, the late attorney Fred A. Jewell, performed in the Brazil Concert Band and Jackson Township Community Band until his death and left his father's music to the two bands and Director Huber.

In 2003 and 2007 the Brazil Concert Band recorded two CDs of Jewell's music, "Jewell of the Wabash" and "The Brazil Special." The recordings have sold around the world.

The audience will take a musical trip back to the first quarter of the 20th century when Jewell Sr. did the bulk of his composing.

Jewell scholar Charles Conrad, director of the Indiana Wind Symphony, earned his doctorate in music through his research of Fred Jewell's musical life.

Conrad will conduct "Cloth of Gold," "Jacques De Molai" and "Quality-plus".

Harold Ellshoff, a fifty year member of the BCB and JTCB, will lead the band in "The Scarlet King" and "Trombone Blues"

The remaining gems by Jewell, under the direction of Huber, include "Roses of Memory," "A Passing Fancy," "The Checkered Flag," "Gentry Bros. Triumphal," "The Pumpkin Center Cornet Band," "The Crimson Petal" and "Revelry."

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