David Wallis Reeves’ American Band Collection

David Wallis Reeves (1838-1900) was a band leader, coronet player and an accomplished composer of contrapuntal military marches. He is most well known for composing the Second Regiment Connecticut National Guard march, but composed over one hundred other pieces of music. Renowned composer John Philip Sousa referred to Reeves as “the father of band music in America.”

D.W. Reeves was born in Oswego, New York on February 14, 1838 to Lorenzo and Maria Reeves. He began playing coronet at age 14 and in 1856 was playing professionally with a traveling circus band based in Elmira, New York. In the 1860s, he played coronet in the Dodworth’s Band of New York City and the Rumsey and Newcomb’s Minstrels with whom he toured Europe. On January 22, 1866 Reeves directed the American Band in Providence for the first time and was engaged as the permanent leader on February 17, 1866. He married Sarah E. Blanding on September 30, 1871. Reeves remained band leader until his death on March 8, 1900. He is buried in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence.

The American Brass Band was formed in November 1837 under the leadership of Joseph C. Green . The American Band was incorporated in March 1853 as a military band and attached to the 2nd Brigade of Rhode Island Militia. It was the first civilian band to volunteer for duty for the Union during the Civil War. The band was present at the Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861 and assisted with tending to the wounded and dying. The first band leader, Joseph C. Greene served from 1837-1866 with a temporary break from 1839-1841 when the band was under the leadership of Benjamin P. Robinson. . David Wallis Reeves was appointed in 1866 and served as band leader until 1900.

During Reeves’ leadership, the band gained a national reputation with several national tours. It was frequently referred to as “Reeve’s Band”. The band maintained a core of 30 professional musicians. It is considered the first professional business band in the United States. It performed primarily as a marching band, but was able to perform as a dance or concert orchestra with strings upon demand. The band served an an adjunct to several military units during Reeve’s tenure including 1st Light Infantry of Providence, 2nd Regiment Connecticut National Guard, 4th Battalion Massachusetts Regiment, 5th Maryland Regiment, 8th Massachusetts Regiment.