By Don Larry

On Prescott's courthouse plaza stands the tall, ornately canopied bandstand. It was built in 1908 on the spot where an earlier bandstand had stood for many years. The nationwide brass band movement was first introduced into Arizona here in 1865 and it quickly spread throughout the territory.

They built it in 1908 on the spot where an earlier bandstand had stood for many years. The nationwide brass band movement came to Arizona here in 1865 and it quickly spread throughout the territory.

While barely more than a small settlement, yet capital of a fledgling U.S. territory, Prescott held a Fourth of July celebration on the Plaza in 1864. The Arizona Miner reported that L.B. Jewell sang the Star Spangled Banner. Lucian Bonaparte Jewell, watchmaker, later served as Justice of the Peace and Mayor, had been bandmaster of the Regiment, which later became the 1st New Mexico Cavalry during the Civil War. He was born in New York 1833, went to Colorado as a young man, and was living at Albuquerque when he enlisted in 1861. In 1865, he organized a band for Prescott. From the January 24, 1866 Arizona Miner:

"The concert for the benefit of the Prescott Brass Band was both a novel and acceptable entertainment for the country. Although the members have been in practice but two months, they performed exceedingly well, and the large hall, made by the union of two rooms of the Legislative Assembly, was filled by an appreciative audience. The members of the band who took part were Messrs. Jewell, leader, Dunn, Corlies, Christie, Mahon, Ellis, Cook and Bowers. The flute duet by Messrs. Christie and Ellis and flute solos by these gentlemen (not down in the bills) were loudly applauded, so was the cornet duett by Messrs. Jewell and Corlies. In singing Messrs. Stevens and Keating distinguished themselves. Their comic songs were particularly good. At the close of the concert, Judge Berry expressed the thanks of the audience, and the hope that another concert would soon be given, in which we heartily join. The Prescott Brass Band is an institution that our citizens will be glad to encourage in every way." 

Jewell moved to California in 1867 having been selected as instructor for the Los Angeles Brass Band. On June 12 of 1869 the Arizona Miner heralds his return: 

"BRASS BAND-- L.B. Jewell, the leader and father of the old Prescott brass band, is expected here soon from California, and, as soon as he arrives, another band will be organized. Therefore, it becomes necessary to collect the old instruments, and we have been requested to ask the person in whose possession the "valve trombone," formerly played by D. Ellis (Kentuck) is, to leave it at the MINER office, or at the Adobe store." 

Then the following month came this report: "Now that our star musician. L.B. Jewell, has returned to this, his old home, we judge from indications, that not many weeks will elapse before a brass band will be organized and "in full blast." Indeed we are informed that a full set of instruments will arrive here in a few days, unless the Apaches should take it into their heads to "delay them on the road." We also learn that the sum of $225 has been subscribed by citizens of Prescott, to pay for said instruments, and, should it be found necessary, double that amount can be raised. There are, among our citizens, many gentlemen possessing fair musical talent, and Mr. Jewell will have very little difficulty in organizing a company of gentlemen, who, with very little practice, will in a short time, be able to produce harmonious sounds." (24 Jul 1869) 

The Prescott Brass Band performed for the 4th of July celebration in 1871. But in 1872, with the arrival of the 23rd Infantry and its regimental band, Fort Whipple began to dominate the music scene on Prescott's courthouse plaza. The 8th Infantry replaced the 23rd in 1874 under the direction of the Italian maestro, Albino Abbiati. 

Lucian Jewell was elected as the first Mayor of the Town of Prescott and served for the year beginning January 1873; during which telegraphic communication between Tucson and Prescott was first established. On December 8, 1873, he sent the following message: 

"Hon. James M. Toole, Mayor of Tuscon; The kind greetings of the corporate authorities of your village are reciprocated. We join our praise with you that the single electric wire which now unites us in words with the world beyond the desert, may be soon followed by the parallel bars over which steam may transport us in persons. L. B. Jewell Mayor of Prescott" 

Jewell moved again to California in 1876, this time he would not return. He died in a Veterans Home in Napa, 1907. 

It may have during the 1880's, during an apparent hiatus of regiments with bands being posted at Fort Whipple, that another civilian band, the Prescott Town Band, was formed. The director was Jules Baumann, who arrived from Switzerland in 1879. Exact dates of the existence of this band have been elusive, but benchmark dates of the business activities of Baumann as hotelier, restaurateur, candy maker, photographer, cartographer, watercolorist and miner are well documented. 

The arrival to Fort Whipple of the 11th Infantry Band in 1892 also signaled the arrival of Achille La Guardia. He is more conspicuous to us now as the father of New York's Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, but around Prescott Achille was very much a celebrity. The outbreak of the Spanish American War in 1898 brought an end to Whipple bands as the 11th Infantry shipped out for Tampa, Fla. (Prescott's two Italian bandmasters, Abbiati and La Guardia, will be discussed further in future "days past" columns.)

For next ten years, Prescott seems to have been without a band. Even the old bandstand, which had survived the Great Fire of 1900 on Whiskey Row, was eventually pulled down. For the 1907 dedication ceremony of the Rough Rider statue, two bands from out of town were imported to provide music. One was the United Verde band of Jerome, the other was the Band of the "Fighting" 5th Cavalry from Fort Huachuca, which led the parade. 

For Prescott, this was the final straw, a slap in the face of a long tradition of bands. On 4 February 1908, the Miner published this announcement: 

"PRESCOTT MAY YET HAVE A REAL BAND-- At a meeting of the musicians of the city, held Sunday afternoon, the Prescott Brass Band was reorganized and a permanent organization was effected. E.S. Wright was elected president; George Cross, vice president; James Landenslager, secretary/treasurer; Julius Jacoby, business manager; and John Niedergeld, leader. The band will move into the rooms now occupied by the church on Cortez St. Mr. Niedergeld, the new leader, was formerly connected with the band of the famous "Fighting Fifth" Cavalry. He was assistant leader with the band played in this city last July, and is well qualified for the position of leader of the local band." 

That same year a new bandstand was built on the Courthouse Plaza, the very one that stands there today. Once more, Prescott was 'in full blast'; and Lucian Bonaparte Jewell's legacy lives on.

(Don Larry is the euphonium player for the Territorial Brass Band. He has also done extensive research on brass band history in Arizona.) 



Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number: (o105p). Reuse only by permission.
Jules Baumann, arms crossed, led the Prescott Band in the 1880s. Community brass bands or bands from Fort Whipple have been an integral part of Plaza since the 1860s in Prescott. Today at 2 pm, at the Sharlot Hall Museum grounds the Territorial Brass Band will play for all to hear.