Brass, Reeds, and Percussion: July 5, 2025

This edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion opens with a march written in 1918 by the circus-band composer Fred Huffer, who lived from 1879 to 1943. He played the baritone horn in circus bands for 8 years, but retired from those adventures to live in the Chicago area. He conducted Crane Plumbing Company band and other bands and composed music as well. Today’s opening march is entitled “Black Jack.” It was inspired by General John “Black Jack” Pershing, the commander of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe during WW I. After the war, General Pershing served as the chief of staff of the Army and issued an order for the standard instrumentation of Army bands.

1. Black Jack (1918)
   Composer:  Fred Huffer (1879-1943)
   Performer:  Texas A&M University Band
   Album:  Legacy of the March, Vol. III
     
2. Battle Cry of Freedom
   Composer:  Allesandro Liberati (1847-1927)
   Performer:  Newberry''s Victorian Cornet Band
   Album:  Gilded Age
     
3. Columbian National Potpourri
   Composer:  Thomas Coates (c. 1803-1895)
   Performer:  Newberry''s Victorian Cornet Band
   Album:  Thomas Cates: Father of Band Music in America
     
4. Yankee Doodle
   Composer:  Traditional, arranged by Morton Gould
   Performer:  Morton Gould & His Symphonic Band
   Album:  Brass and Percussion
     
5. Fourth of July
   Composer:  Morton Gould (1913-1996)
   Performer:  Morton Gould & His Symphonic Band
   Album:  Brass and Percussion
     
6. Drumsticks for Two
   Composer:  Sidney Torch (1908-1990)
   Performer:  Band of the Royal Corps of Transport
   Album:  Drums a' Plenty
     
7. Fascinating Drums
   Composer:  Ted Huggens (1928-2006)
   Performer:  Regimental Band of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
   Album:  Drums a' Plenty
     
8. Moventa
   Composer:  Andre Jutras (1957- )
   Performer:  Band of the Canadian Forces School of Music
   Album:  Drums a' Plenty
   Also see.
     
9. Doxy
   Composer:  Sonny Rollins (1930- )
   Performer:  Cal Tjader
   Album:  Cal Tjader's Greatest Hits
     
10. Invictus (1921)
    Composer:  Karl King (1891-1971)
    Performer:  U.S. Air Force Band
    Album:  Karl King's Greatest Hits
      
11. Courant No. 52
    Composer:  William Brade (1560-1630)
    Performer:  Prague Brass Soloists
    Album:  Old English Brass Music