Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

February 11, 1875 in Worthington, IN

Death

:

February, 1936

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Band

 

Fred Jewell was an American composer and arranger of band music, born on May 5, 1875, in Worthington, Indiana. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father, William Jewell, was a cornet player and bandmaster, and his mother, Mary Jewell, was a pianist. Fred Jewell started playing the cornet at a young age and soon became a skilled musician. Jewell's musical career began in his hometown of Worthington, where he played in his father's band. He later moved to Indianapolis, where he played in several bands and orchestras. In 1898, he joined the United States Marine Band and served as a cornet player for four years. During his time in the Marine Band, Jewell developed his skills as a composer and arranger. After leaving the Marine Band, Jewell moved to Chicago, where he worked as a freelance musician and composer. He wrote music for several bands and orchestras, including the Sousa Band. In 1908, he became the bandmaster of the famous Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, where he led the Aragon Orchestra. Jewell's compositions were primarily for band and orchestra, and he wrote over 100 pieces of music during his career. His most famous works include "E Pluribus Unum," "The Screamer," and "The Black Horse Troop." "E Pluribus Unum" is a march that was written in 1917 and is still played by military bands today. "The Screamer" is a fast-paced, energetic piece that is often used as a showpiece for soloists. "The Black Horse Troop" is a march that was written in 1924 and is one of Jewell's most popular compositions. Jewell's music was known for its catchy melodies, intricate harmonies, and technical demands. His compositions were often used as showpieces for soloists and were popular with both military and civilian bands. Jewell's music was also used in several films, including "The Great Ziegfeld" and "The Music Man." Jewell was a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and the American Bandmasters Association. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Shriners. Jewell died on July 4, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 61. His legacy lives on through his music, which is still played by bands and orchestras around the world. Jewell's contributions to the world of band music have made him one of the most important composers of his time.

More....