This is the research project that I am currently plugging away on. I started a few years back, but then got distracted (happily!) with The Harvard Tuba and other giant tubas. But there will be lots more to come about Herman, including an article for the ITEA Journal, titled "Herman Conrad: The Forgotten Giant of the Tuba." Here's what I've learned, and posted, so far:
Conrad was indeed a giant, between 6'4" and 7' tall!
1888 - Conrad is recruited by Gilmore to join his world-famous band
1889 - Conrad seen in photo of Gilmore's Band, playing helicon
1891 - Conrad likely involved in Edison recordings of Gilmore's Band
1892 - Conrad may have played giant Besson tuba with Gilmore's Band
1893 - Conrad plays same helicon initially in Sousa's Band
1895 - Conrad poses with the very first Sousaphone (more here)
1895 - Conrad comments further on J. W. Pepper's new Sousaphone
1896 - Conrad plays first Sousaphone on tour with Sousa (more here)
1896 - Conrad listed as "Sousaphone" player with Sousa
1898 - Conrad poses with Conn's first Sousaphone
1899 - Conrad marches with the Sousaphone for the first time
1899 - Conrad seen playing cards on the train during Sousa tour
1900 - Conrad takes the Sousaphone to Europe for the first time
1902 - Conrad featured as Sousa Band soloist on a Victor recording
1903 - Conrad with the Sousaphone in England again
1903 - Conrad starts working for the Victor Talking Machine Co.
1903 - Conrad plays with Arthur Pryor's new band (confirmed in 1904)
1904 - Conrad appears a few times in a special Pepper publication
1905 - Conrad appears in Pepper publication selling Sousaphones
1910 - Conrad appears to be in this Victor recording session photo
1910 - Conrad's brother, Gustave, plays in the Ford Motor Band
191? - Conrad is honored by Holton with a special concave mouthpiece
1945 - Conrad is rightly remembered as the first to play the Sousaphone
1970 - Conrad is wrongly connected with the Interlochen Sousaphone
2016 - I find and meet Conrad's great, great grandson!
Conrad and the horns he played over the course of his career
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