WHO WAS P. G. LOWERY ?

WHO WAS P. G. LOWERY and The Star of the West Brass Band ?

P. G. was born around 1870, in Kansas, youngest of eight children who all sang and played musical instruments. At the peak of his career he was admired by Scott Joplin, who wrote "A Breeze from Alabama", dedicated to Lowery, he out played W.C. Handy in a "Cutting Session", he taught, he trained, managed and employed hundreds of musicians. While Lowery played and led one band, he often had several other musical "packages" consisting of instrumentalists, singers, dancers, and comedians contracted out to other touring shows. P.G.LOWERY'S PROGRESSIVE MUSICAL ENTERPRISE also owned railroad rolling stock, including a luxury private car...about the same as owning a Lear Jet in today's world.

Beside being a cornet virtuoso who was often compared to Herbert L. Clark and a highly successful business manager, those who best knew P.G Lowery spoke most often of his wonderful personality...."a quiet but well spoken and forceful person"...."a real gentleman"....a real professional who demanded the best from his musicians and fought for the best for them".... "you always felt he was truly glad to see you and really interested in what you had to say"....mentor and role model to many.

For more information on this important figure in American Band Music History, a book "SHOWMAN, the Life and Music of Perry George Lowery" by Dr. Clifford Edward Watkins is now available from The University Press of Mississippi.

The Star of the West Brass Band is a reenactment group formed in memory of the Lowery Family Band, at the request of P.G. Lowery researcher and biographer, Dr. Clifford E. Watkins of Greensboro, North Carolina. The band's mission is to help generate an awareness of P.G. Lowery's career and his contribution to American Band Music History.

For more information contact: Clifford E. Watkins & Associates, Inc. P.O.Box 18076, Greensboro, NC 27419-8076 (336) 601-1478 or , Director of Player Personnel 229 Goodwin Lane Nellysford, VA 22958 (434) 361-2184. .

The Reenactment Group from the Municipal Band of Charlottesville Virginia.

Municipal Arts Center

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