[Dixielandjazz] Pictures of old (mostly pre-jazz era) bands - hundreds of 'em!

[Bill Haesler]

David Richoux wrote (in part):
> Suggesting (as we should know) that probably any town or city in the 
> US and many other countries had a band (or more than one) from the 
> 1860s well into the 20th Century.

Dear Dave,
How very true,
In the mid-late 1940s I, along with other aspiring jazz musicians in 
Melbourne, Australia, belonged to the local suburban band.
Among others, Bob Barnard was in the Mordiallic Brass Band, I was in 
the Williamstown City Brass Band.
It did wonders for Bob, but I have very little musical knowledge to 
show for my 3-4 years with the competition-winning 'Willy' Band.
"Horses-for-courses", as we say here.
Kind regards,
Bill.
PS: Which gives me a lead-in to let listmates know that while our 
clarinet player, Jack Wiard and his wife, are swanning around Europe, 
we are featuring special guests on Sunday 'arvos' at the Fortune of War 
pub in Sydney.
Yesterday's guest was my old mate Bob Barnard, who leaves on Tuesday 
for summer gigs in Europe.
Next week's guest is Trevor Rippingale, whose New Wolverine Jazz 
Orchestra will be appearing at the Bix Festival in Davenport, Iowa, 
24th-27th July 2008.