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Karl L. King
1891 - 1972
born in Paintersville, OH, composed during the Romantic period
Biography
Many listeners, at least American listeners, associate only the iconic John Philip Sousa with band music, but Karl L. King was a formidable, if less-imposing rival. He wrote many band pieces to honor schools and universities and for use at circuses, his most famous being Barnum & Bailey's Favorite.

Karl Laurence King was born February 21, 1891, in Paintersville, OH. He showed musical talent late in his childhood and began playing trombone in the Canton (Ohio) Marine Band. At the behest of his teacher he took up the baritone and found it better suited to his skills. He never had any training in theory or composition, but studied the subjects on his own and became quite a capable orchestrator.

By 17 he produced his first march; two years later he began playing baritone with the band of Robinson's Famous Circus. Within a few years he became the ensemble's director. In 1914 he was appointed bandmaster of the Sells Floto-Buffalo Bill band, holding the post for two years. During 1917-1918 he served in the same capacity for Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth. During this time he wrote the aforementioned hit march, Barnum & Bailey's Favorite, and he also met his wife Ruth, who played calliope in the band.