The year is 1930, the place is Bridgeport, Conn. Composer and drummer Oscar F. Knablin plays this set of drums at the Fox-Poli Theater. How do we know this? Oscar was kind enough to write this information on the inside of his prized new Leedy bass drum. In 1910, Oscar F. Knablin (1880-1962) published a march entitled “Our Teddy” to honor Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. In 1919, Knablin wrote a march called “Our Heroes Return” to honor the returning soldiers of Bridgeport Musician’s Club after WWI. Knablin was also a big band drummer who played at various theatres throughout Connecticut. One can imagine a grand theater featuring popular big bands and Vaudeville shows and this trap set being rolled on and off the stage for the performances. Can you imagine the excitement of seeing this drum kit on stage in the 1930s? The Northup Drums Museum specializes in […]

May 2023 Issue