A Composer (pt.2)
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Karl L. King (February 21, 1891 – March 31, 1971)
A United States march music bandmaster and composer. He is best known as the composer of "Barnum and Bailey's Favorite".
Karl Lawrence King was born in the village of Paintersville, Ohio. He was the only child of Sandusky S. and Anna Lindsey King. The King family moved to Canton, Ohio when he was eleven, the age he used newspaper carrier income to purchase his first musical instrument – a cornet.
He grew up as a self-taught musician
He left school after the eighth grade, age fourteen to learn the printing trade (while composing music at night).
He soon switched to playing in and composing for bands.
He learned to compose by studying scores.
Photo by Tulane Public Relations
In 1910 at the age of 19, he began a short career playing baritone in and directing circus bands.
In 1912, he performed in the Sells-Floto Circus under W.P. English (a famous march composer), and in 1913 in the Barnum and Bailey band under Ned Brill. At the request of Brill he wrote (and dedicated to Brill) "Barnum & Bailey's Favorite", his most famous march and possibly the most recognizable American music written specifically for the circus. It would soon be adopted as the theme of the circus.
Photo by MissTessmacher
