The Veterans Day edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion salutes our veterans with the \“St. Louis Blues March\” made famous during WW II by the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. First, we’ll hear a 1922 recording of the \“St. Louis Blues,\” written by Alabama’s very own W. C. Handy and performed by his Memphis Blues Band. Then we’re going to hear the 1947 hit version recorded by Tex Beneke and His Orchestra. Finally, we’ll hear the stereo version of the march from the 1954 movie The Glenn Miller Story. The \“St. Louis Blues,\” by the way, is one of the most recorded tunes in the history of making recordings!
Robert W. Smith was a prolific wind-band composer with over 600 publications in print. He was born in 1958 in Daleville, Alabama, and unfortunately died in September in Montgomery from complications of heart surgery. He graduated from Daleville High School and then went to Troy State University, where he played lead trumpet in the Sound of the South Marching band. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music education and then received a master’s degree from the University of Miami. Eventually, he returned to Troy State University and served as band director and as an instructor in its music industry program. This edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion is presented in his memory.
Following a five-year hiatus because of the COVID pandemic, a popular concert and top country and bluegrass stars will return Saturday, Nov. 18, to the Curtis Andrew Auction Facility in