Brass, Reeds, and Percussion: July 13, 2024

This edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion features “Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie,” composed by Alabama’s very own Clarence Pinetop Smith from Troy. But it opens with a march written by Jerry Bilik, who started out as the 17th chair trombone player in the University of Michigan Marching Band. But Bilik eventually became the band’s chief composer and arranger from 1955 to 1958. Of course, this should be no surprise because, by age 13, he had already composed at least 50 pieces. Eventually, Bilik worked for such performers as Danny Kaye, Dick Van Dyke, Leonard Bernstein, Barbra Streisand, and Neil Diamond. He arranged music for several television shows, including “Starsky and Hutch” and “Charlie's Angels.” He has also arranged music for Disney on Ice. Today’s edition opens with Bilik’s “Block M March,” written when he was 20 years old and attending the University of Michigan, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music.

1. Block M March (1955)
   Composer:  Jerry Bilik (1933- )
   Performer:  Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra
   Album:  March World, Vol. 1
     
2. Serenata: Menuett
   Composer:  Vincenzo Reghini (1756-1812)
   Performer:  Consortium Classicum
   Album:  Italian Serenades
     
3. Serenata: Largo
   Composer:  Vincenzo Reghini (1756-1812)
   Performer:  Consortium Classicum
   Album:  Italian Serenades
     
4. Serenata: Andante
   Composer:  Vincenzo Reghini (1756-1812)
   Performer:  Consortium Classicum
   Album:  Italian Serenades
     
5. Music of Jacques Brel
   Composer:  Jacques Brel (1929-1978)
   Performer:  Musique des équipages de la flotte de Toulon
   Album:  Light Music, Vol. 2
     
6. Tijuana Taxi (1966)
   Composer:  Ervan Bud Coleman (1921-1967)
   Performer:  Ad Hoc Wind Orchestra
   Album:  Light Music, Vol. 2
     
7. Grand March for Royal Wedding (1992)
   Composer:  Ikuma Dan (1924-2001 )
   Performer:  Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra
   Album:  March World, Vol. 1
     
8. Bourbon Street Parade
   Composer:  Paul Barbarin (1899-1969)
   Performer:  Algiers Brass Band
   Album:  Lord, Lord, Lord
     
9. Pinetop's Boogie Woogie
   Composer:  Clarence "Pinetop" Smith (1904-1929)
   Performer:  BBC Big Band Orchestra
   Album:  Best of the Big Bands, Vol. 1
     
10. Drum Boogie (1941 recording)
    Composer:  Gene Krupa (1909-1973) & Roy Eldridge (1911-1989)
    Performer:  Gene Krupa & His Orchestra
    Album:  Gene Krupa
      
11. With Sword and Lance
    Composer:  Herman Starke (1870-1920)
    Performer:  Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Central Band
    Album:  Furioso