Imperial Orchestra

The Imperial Orchestra was a New Orleans dance band active from around 1900[1] or 1901[2] to around 1912.

Led by Manuel Perez, who had joined the Onward Brass Band in 1900 (and would go on to lead it from 1903 until it disbanded in 1930),[2] the Imperial Orchestra was admired by early jazz musicians for its polished performances, with the group playing from written arrangements.[1]

Members of the ensemble, some of whom also performed with the [Onward Brass Band, at various times included clarinetists Sydney Bechet,[3] Lorenzo Tio,[3] George Baquet,[1] Big Eye Nelson[1] and Alphonse Picou,[3] violinists Armand Piron[3] and James A. Palao, trombonist George Filhe, double bass player Billy Marrero, baritone horn player Adolphe Alexander, Sr., and drummer Jean Vigne.[1]

## References

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1. ^ a b c d e Schafer, William J. "Imperial Orchestra". Grove Music Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
2. ^ a b Koenig, Karl. "Perez, Manuel". Grove Music Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
3. ^ a b c d Hardie, Daniel (2000). The Loudest Trumpet: Buddy Bolden and the Early History of Jazz. ToExcel. pp. 120—1. ISBN 978-1-58348-607-8.