Giuseppe Creatore

Italian-born trombonist, band leader, and composer (b. June 21, 1871 in Naples, Italy – d. August 15, 1952 in New York City, USA) After touring Europe at age 14 and conducting the Naples Military Band at age 17, Creatore emigrated to the United States in 1899 in order to join Ellery's Royal Italian Band as a trombonist. When Ellery fell sick, Creatore took over the conductor position, to very positive reviews. He himself was unhappy with the quality of the orchestra, though. So in 1902, he formed a new 60-piece band that he filled with musicians he had hired in Italy. His showmanship made him immensely popular, second only to John Philip Sousa. By 1917, however, increased competition and the exigencies imposed by the war forced Creatore to give up this large band. Instead, he founded an opera company that performed popular operatic pieces between 1917 and 1922. Creatore recorded for many labels, most often for Victor but also for Edison, Paramount, and Columbia. Composed "Syncopation" (1925).