Russell Alexander
From Marchdb.net
February 26, 1877 - October 1, 1915
Born in Nevada City, Missouri. Composer and a musician (Euphonium) famous for his circus marches.
Russell T. Alexander was born in Nevada, Missouri, on February 26, 1877. In 1897 at the age of 18 he Joined the circus band of “Belfords Carnival”. In 1898 he signed a five year contract for a European tour with “Barnum & Bailey” circus and became a member of the circus band as an arranger and Euphonium player.
During the time he was in Europe, his brother Newton Alexander was playing trumpet in theater orchestras in Philadelphia and Atlantic City. After accompanying many vaudeville shows, Newton conceived the idea of a music unit as a vaudeville act. He organized a group composed of himself, his brother Woodruff, James Brady, and Willie Patton. The act was known as "The Exposition Four". Russell Alexander later replaced Willie Patton in the Exposition Four
His brother Newton was famous for playing duets with himself where he played two trumpets simultaneously, using variations with double and triple tonguing.
Both Russell and Woodruff were frequently treated in tuberculosis sanitariums. He died from the disease at a sanitarium in Liberty, New York, on October 1, 1915. He was only 38 years old.
After he died his widow, Eleanor sold all the rights to his compositions to C. L. Barnhouse for only $125.
Marches composed by Russell Alexander:
- Colossus of Columbia 1901
- Memphis the Majestic, 1900
- Belford's Carnival 1897
- The Cantonians 1908
- The Southerner 1908
- Burr's Triumphal 1897
- Olympia Hippodrome 1898
- The Darlington 1896
- Salute to Seattle 1905
- The Exposition Four 1903
- Patriots of the Potomac 1903
- Embossing the Emblem 1902
- Across the Atlantic 1899
- Rival Rovers 1899
- From Tropic to Tropic 1899
- International Vaudeville 1897
- The Crimson Flush 1897
- Baltimore's Boast 1913
- La Reine 1907
- Round-Up 1916
- Yankees in Vienna 1900
- Hampton Roads
- The Comedy Club
- The Conquest
- Conway's Cantata
- The Crimson Flush 1897
- The Exposition Four (Written with Newton Alexander) 1903
- From Tropic to Tropic 1898
- Pall Mall Famous 1909
- Paramour of Panama 1904
- The Rival Rovers The Four Gladiators
- The Southeners
- The Storming of El Caney
- Vicksburg the Valiant
- Auld Edinbro'
