- Source: 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 entered a composition into the 1932 Summer Olympics mixed music art competition.
He wrote many books of etudes and exercises for saxophone, and published many arrangements for band and for saxophone.
Compositions
American Army March
America March
Andrea Doria
Blue Eagle March
Generale Umberto Nobile
Do re mi
Amor perduto valzer (Lost Love Waltz)
Passione
La Bella Mazurka
Dolce Ricordo
The New Italy March
Nicoletta
Triplin Sax
Marcia Zingaresca
Marcia Palermitana
Creatore's Band March
Piccoli Bersaglieri (Little Italian Riflemen)
Furore d'Una Banda (Furor of the Band)
Liberta dei prigionieri Italiani
Many of these compositions were recorded on early Victor and Columbia phonographs, where he is credited variously as Iasilli, Issilli, and Jasilli.
