This 15-piece orchestra was established in 1985 following Rick Benjamin uncovering thousands of musical scores for the theatre and silent cinema that had belonged to the trombonist, conductor and composer, Arthur Pryor.
The only ensemble to perform this music it debuted at Lincoln Center in 1988 bringing them to public notice. They have performed concerts internationally in venues and festivals that include the Smithsonian Institute, Bruckerhaus in Austria, Chautauqua Festival, San Francisco’s Stern Grove Festival and The Kennedy Center.
It has made several recordings, appeared on movie and television soundtracks and has been heard on radio broadcasts across America and for the BBC.
In 1992 the orchestra was engaged as a US Ambassador of Goodwill at the World Universal Exposition in Seville, Spain, and during the 2010s it is still performs on a regular basis in and around Monmouth County in New Jersey.
Orchestra members include:
Joseph Braccitta (drums)
Robin Carlson (flute/piccolo)
Erik Charlston (percussion)
Eric DeGioia (first violin)
Leslie DeGioia (viola)
Edward Gilmore (clarinet)
Richard Gradone (cornet)
Meryl Abt Greenfield (clarinet)
Tamaki Kanaseki (second violin)
John Lambert (cornet)
Joseph Russo (bass)
Daniel Toomey (trombone/euphonium)
Lawrence Zoernig (cello)
George Linus Cobb/Jack Yellen recordings
Bring Me Back My Lovin’ Honey Boy
Newport Classic NC 60069
Conductor – Rick Benjamin
Sources:
- http://www.paragonragtime.com/history.html
- http://www.newworldclassics.com/paragon.htm
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Benjamin_(conductor)
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/4559522-Paragon-Ragtime-Orchestra
- https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-paragon-ragtime-orchestra-mn0000016543/biography