Del Staigers | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Charles Delaware Staigers |
Born | Muncie, Indiana, United States | August 20, 1899
Died | July 12, 1950 Los Angeles, California | (aged 50)
Genres | Concert band |
Occupation | Musician |
Instrument(s) | Trumpet, Cornet |
Years active | 1914-1950 |
Labels | RCA Victor Records, Capitol Records |
Charles Delaware Staigers was an American cornetist. He was born on August 20, 1899, in Muncie, Indiana.[1] In 1914, he was hired to play in Patrick Conway's band.[2] In 1918, he joined John Philip Sousa's band as the assistant to cornet soloist Frank Simon. He stayed with John Philip Sousa through 1920.[3] He played "Taps" at John Philip Sousa's funeral.[2] After leaving Sousa, he became first trumpeter at The Hippodrome and later at The Strand Theatre in New York City.[2] In 1926, he joined the Goldman Band. His first appearance with The Goldman Band in Central Park before a crowd of over 25,000 people drew vociferous applause and bravos.[2] He played with The Goldman Band through 1934,[4] and also for the 1942 season.[5]
He died on July 12, 1950, at age 50.[1] In the words of Edwin Franko Goldman, Staigers was the "greatest cornetist in the world".[6]