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Hi all - in my research, one thing invariably leads to another, and that almost always results in some fascinating discoveries.

If you know the great Jack Richardson, or (less-likely) Oscar Cott, or (virtually forgotten) James Romeril - all Sousaphone players with Sousa's Band - did you know that they were all, at one time, part of a ridiculously good band in a sleepy little town in the backwoods of Ontario?!

Here is that band in 1919 - and, if you look closely, you'll see their director, Herbert L. Clarke, in the middle of the front row. Wait, the great Herbert Clarke?! Sousa's world-famous cornet soloist?! What was he doing leading a band in the middle of nowhere?!
Curious to know more? Read about it here: https://tubapastor.blogspot.com/2020/05 ... woods.html

Enjoy!
Dave

Thanks, YORK-aholic!

Here's a photo of a portion of the band from the summer of 1920, at the Bigwin Inn, a brand-new resort on Bigwin Island on the Lake of Bays, only about 10 miles southeast of Huntsville.

The bassists shown are, from left to right, Jack Richardson (far left), J. Frank Kelly (Sousaphone in the middle), James Romeril (somewhat hidden, next to the Sousaphone), and Oscar Cott (far right). All but Kelly had Sousa connections during their careers!
And that's Herbert Clarke (or at least his top half!) in the middle of the bottom row.