A Famous Son of the Band

Little did we realize when we heard the band tuning up on School St. that its sounds had traveled far beyond our little village.  Travel they did: as far as the bright lights of
Las Vegas and New York.

This bit of Village folklore is brought to you by the late Joseph Rose, Arlene's father.
 She had recorded his story that now it reaches out to us.
This is a story of dreams and a belief in one's talents.

Mr. .Rose said that the greatest musician that the
 Taunton City Band produced was
 Joseph Crovello.

 Joseph's father, although non-musical himself,  encouraged him to take up the violin. He immediately excelled in it. When he became a part of the Taunton City Band he could play any instrument he picked up.  He gravitated, however, to the trombone. All his fellow band members recognized that a very special talent was among them.

In the twenties Joseph went to New York City seeking his musical fame and fortune.  He played in pit orchestras for many Broadway shows.  For a time he played with Phil Spitalny before Phil switched to an all girl orchestra, something more common in those years (Phil'sAll Girl Orchestra

 highlighted Evelyn and her Magic Violin if you would like to seek it on You Tube 

that,too is quite a story).

Joseph played in orchestras that broadcast live from ballrooms atop hotels such as the Astor.  He always sent Mr. Rose postcards alerting him as to when the broadcasts would take place.

 Her father, writes Arlene, stayed up very late to listen.  From little School St. to atop places like the Astor a strong and lasting link....  

   Listen in and get a flavor of it all. 

 It is very possible we are hearing the sound of Joseph's trombone.

                                                               Our tale continues.

Joseph married a beautiful Zeigfield follies girl named Sonja.  He adopted her son who became a well known artist in his own right.  The Taunton Gazette ran an article on his son some years back.  Try watching this YouTube video to get a taste of the world in which Joseph Crovello found himself....probably pinching himself to be sure it was true.

In reality, it was too good to be true. Tragically, in the early thirties, at the height of his career, Joseph Crovello died suddenly of "walking pneumonia".  Joseph died unexpectedly while talking to his mother in his apartment.  His mother was visiting from Taunton.

The Village was devastated.  Mr. Rose was heartbroken.  All the Taunton City Band could do was to play for Joseph at his funeral.

                                    Joseph Crovello had just formed his own band in New York.

                                                                  ..............................

Next post: more about the Taunton City Band and its history.
 Meanwhile, is it possible that there is

someone who recorded the early sounds of the Taunton City Band?  Hope springs eternal!