from the Incidental Music to Wedding Band
This piece, part of the Incidental Music for the play Wedding Band by Alice Childress, is in Act Two, scene two, when the residents of a black neighborhood, during World War I, are celebrating the enlistments of local young men. In the street passes a ragtime band, The Jenkins Colored Orphan Band, performing in the style of Bunk Johnson, a popular black musician of the time.
This joyous music is in sharp contrast to events unfolding in the scene. Herman, the white German baker is dying of influenza, in Julia’s house. She is black and although they are deeply in love, it is against the law for them to marry. See the Incidental Music section of this website for more information.
We are thankful for the skill of Jason Loffredo, who transcribed this piece from archival audio tape. Available are the sheet music PDF created by Mr. Loffredo and MP3s of the Composer’s original recording and the Loffredo transcription.
Visit www.jasonloffredo.com for more information on Mr. Loffredo’s work.
