One thing our readers don’t know about me is that I love military bands. They’re a standard feature of Carnival parades and I get a thrill every time I see one. In addition to having the best uniforms, the Navy and Marines have the best bands. It’s the legacy of Lt. Commander John Philip Sousa, the March King.
Most Sousa album covers feature the man himself looking stern and imposing. I’ve opted for a less conventional cover by Jim Flora that does not feature the man and his mustache:
Are you ready to march?
FYI — a recent NY Review article said there are approximately 136 different military bands, costing around $500 million.
Approx. US$2 million/band annually? Is it the uniforms? Triple scale? Combat pay?