The most memorable fact about today of course is

[imperialbari]

that John Philip Sousa was born on this day 158 years ago. A FaceBook friend accompanied his reminder thereof by this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=awBHvLH9a2Y

In the small FB video window I noted the illustrated band being at least partially civilian and having a helicon at its left front position. I clicked to watch the video in YouTube, which in Safari has a larger-than-standard window without going to the often blurred full screen view. The screen shot is from there, and it reveals two alto helicons between the slide- and the valve-trombonists in the front row. I don’t think bell front instruments had been introduced back then (1880-ies, maybe even earlier), so I have a strong suspicion that the two nearest players in the 2nd row play tenor helicons.

Klaus

(Had to shrink the photo, so a full size cut is added)

[thattubaguy]

What?

[Donn]

Adolphe Sax's birthday. While he perhaps wasn't Sousa's equal as a man, his name will be remembered for many generations, thanks to the saxophone, the instrument most comparable to the human voice.

[Chuck Jackson]

Uhm, I always thought Fran Drescher was kinda hot................

[Chuck Jackson]

' one of the great silent movie actresses of all time...

Yeah, I always turned off the sound, too. I could imagine her in the short skirts with a voice like Ingrid Bergman rather than Foghorn Leghorn on helium. Always made it easier to stomach.

Chuck"just sayin'"Jackson

[Dan Schultz]

the instrument most comparable to the human voice.

?

[toobagrowl]

saxophone, the instrument most comparable to the human voice.

the instrument most comparable to the human voice.

(Kenny G & Fran)

[Donn]

?

If you like an instrument that sings, play the saxophone. At its best it's like the human voice.

Happy Birthday (yesterday) Adolphe!