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Claudio S. Grafulla (1810-1880) was born on the Spanish island of Minorca, and immigrated to the United States in 1838. He joined the well-known Lothier’s New York Brass Band attached to the 7th Regiment of the New York National Guard, and within a short time became leader of the band. After a brief sojourn back in Europe he returned to the United States in 1859 after he was asked to form a new 7th Regiment Band. During the next twenty years Grafulla re-organized and expanded the band to become one of the most popular and respected bands in the United States. He increased the size of the band from 38 to over 50 musicians, mainly by adding woodwinds, and expanded their repertoire. Although Grafulla is mainly known today as an arranger, he composed a substantial number of band pieces as well as solo instrumental works. His most well-known work Washington Grays (also sometimes called Washington Greys) was written in 1861, very early in his tenure with the 7th Regiment Band. The march was composed for the 8th Regiment, New York State Militia, based at the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx, and grays refers to the color of the regimental uniforms. Originally scored for brass band, the march gained in popularity after the 1905 publication of an arrangement for military band by Louis-Phillipe Laurendeau, using the pseudonym G.W. Reeves. It has been called a march masterpiece, although technically an extremely challenging one, and has become a band classic. This new edition by Richard W. Sargeant Jr. is based on Laurendeau’s 1905 orchestration for a Sousa-era ensemble featuring extended woodwinds, SATB saxophones, brass, snare drum, cymbals, and bass drum, and its clear and improved layout makes it a welcome addition to the concert band music library.
