Banda Republicana (1867)
Founded in 1867, Banda Republicana is the oldest military bands in Panama. Many musicians (and families) from this band became jazz musicians in the XX century.
Banda del Cuerpo de Bomberos de Panamá (1892)
Founded in 1892, Banda del Cuerpo de Bomberos is one of the oldest military bands in Panama. Many musicians from this band became jazz musicians in the XX century. MORE INFO
Early Smaller Bands (1900s)
Caption: Band from Bocas del Toro, sometime between 1907-1919
Sources: Photo from William K Emerson, Encyclopedia of United States Army Insignia and Uniforms Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1996
Susan Langley, Vintage Hats & Bonnets 1770-1970. Paducah, Kentucky: Collector Books 2009
Consultation with Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective June 8, 2022
Consultation June 15th, 2022 with Didier Aubert, Associate Professor of American Studies at UMR Thalim and Université Sorbonne Nouvelle
Frances Lyons, C.A. Reference Archivist, General Commission on Archives and History, Madison NJ
Credit: Provided by the General Commission on Archives and History, United Methodist Church, Madison, New Jersey
Tropical Jazz Kings (1924)
Caption: The “Tropical Jazz Kings,” active in Colon from at least 1924 onward. Panamanian researcher Ariel Pérez Price identified the band members from an advertisement that ran in the Star & Herald on May 18, 1924: V. Martin, alto saxophone and clarinet; C. Simon, tenor saxophone and clarinet; B. Wright, trombone; C. Collins, trap drums and banjo; A. Lambert, trumpet and cornet; A. Victor, pianist and leader.
Source: Catherine Russell
Credit: Catherine Russell Collection (all rights reserved)
