Side Show Sounds
The sights of elaborate costumes and death-defying stunts; the smell of animals and train engine fuel; the feel of white canvas. But the circus would not be complete without the sounds of the band permeating the atmosphere.
Everyone knows the name P. G. Lowery, known for spreading African-American music as he toured the nation with numerous circuses. Given less credit are several other Black musicians whose circus band leadership predates that of Lowery.
In this chapter, we highlight these pioneering entrepreneurial entertainers who made P. G. Lowery possible, and investigate their role in circus as well as African American communities at large.