Gerardo Iasilli

Gerardo Iasilli (November 10, 1880 – May 10, 1969) was an Italian-American saxophonist, conductor, and composer. He was born in Muro Lucano, Italy, and immigrated to the United States in 1904. He first joined the Silvio Mancini Band, where he eventually became assistant conductor and arranger. He later joined the Giuseppe Creatore Orchestra. He then formed and led his own band Orchestrina Italiana Gerardo Iasilli. He composed and arranged mostly brass and band music. He composed a number of marches, including the “American Army”, “America”, and “Blue Eagle” marches. He wrote many books of etudes and exercises for saxophone, and published many arrangements for band and for saxophone. * Blue Eagle March * Generale Umberto Nobile * Do re mi * Furore d’Una Banda (Furor of the Band) Many of these compositions were recorded on early Victor and Columbia phonographs, where he is credited variously as Iasilli, Issilli, and Jasilli. References