[78-L] Request information on Bohumir Kryl - cornetist

[Philip Carli]

Many thanks, Dave.  There are indeed several early parallels between Clarke and Kryl; they were both in Indianapolis in the 1880s (along with Walter Rogers) and both played in the When Clothing band.  Clarke doesn't mention Kryl in his autobiography, but I wonder if they knew each other, or if Clarke had moved to Rochester before Kryl's arrival.  From what little I've been able to glean about Kryl's character, it seems he could be rather contentious in personal dealings.

I'm always surprised at finding Albert Bode's name listed with great cornet soloists.  His 1902-03 records, both as soloist and ensemble player with the early Victor Grand Concert Band, sound quite erratic, to put it kindly.  His technique may have slipped from the 1890s through health or other factors.  Thanks again. Philip
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From: 78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com [78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com] On Behalf Of David Lewis [uncledavelewis at hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 12:23 PM
To: 78-l
Subject: [78-L]  Request information on Bohumir Kryl - cornetist

Philip,

Here is what Dan Reed posted. Reposting it gives me the chance to add that I found the entries about the Kryl 45 rpm label in SONIC.

Bohumir Kryl was among the greatest cornet soloists of his era, easily fitting in with Herbert L.
Clarke, Walter F. Smith and Albert Bode. Born in Horice, Bohemia 5/2/1875 the son of stone mason and
sculptor, he indeed learned this craft. He ran away with a circus at age 11 and performed as an
acrobat and trapeze artist. It was during this time he took up the cornet and after only two weeks he
was playing in the street parades common when the circus first arrived in town. After a serious
accident he left the circus to come to America. Ever the industrious one, he played violin and cornet
with the ship's orchestra to pay for his passage.

He headed West to Indianapolis where family friends had settled and he did sculpt the form of Ben
Hur as well as working on the Soldiers' and Saliors' Monument in Indianapolis. At this time he was
also playing with the When Clothing Company Band as solo cornet.

He played with the Sousa Band from 1894 through 1898, first as an assistant to Albert Bode, then
Walter F. Smith eventually he became the solo cornetist. He left Sousa's Band for TP Brooke's
Chicago Marine Band for two year, then on to the Duss Band at Madison Square Garden. in 1902 he
accepted the solo cornet chair on the Innes Band. His first experience was to play two solo's per
concert on a four month transcontinental tour (over 150 not including encores!).

He formed his own band and toured with them extensively. He recorded for a phenomenal number of
companies including Victor, Edison, Zonophone, Pathe, Berliner and Norcross. As an example of his
playing ability I would invite you to listen to Edison 2 minute 8253 (Carnival of Venice). Here in
a brief two period he spans the range of pedal C to double high C (four octaves) and exhibits all
the double and triple tongue fireworks of his contemporaries. He was extremely popular and hence
his recordings are easy to find.

After a kurfuffle with the American Federation of Musicians he ceased all musical activity.

He died in Wilmington, NY 9/71961.

Best Regards,
Dan Reed


Uncle Dave Lewis
uncledavelewis at hotmail.com
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