William agreed to do his best. However, searching throughout greater Nauvoo, William couldn't find any skilled brass players. Yet, he sent back East for instruments, and looked about to organize popular, talented musicians.
Brother Pitt assembled a group of local musicians who played frontier and folk string instruments... the fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin... None of his Confederates-in-Notes could read music, but led by the indomitable William, the ensemble persisted -- they learned by rote to play numerous military pieces for use with the Nauvoo Legion.
As the Exodus from Nauvoo to Kanesville began, the Pitt's Brass Band often fiddled and strummed about the campfires of Zion. They also offered their services to area frontier farmers, who held dances with their far-flung neighbors. The money gleaned from these "outings" was offered to assist the church during this most difficult time.
As the "brass band" played its way across the mud-flats of I-o-way, they played their "native" stringed instruments. Yet, they performed under the banner, "Pitt's Brass Band," capitalizing on their prior "fame" as musicians for the Nauvoo Legion.
The night before the Mormon Battalion mustered for its historical march, the Pitt's Brass Band fiddled, sawed and plucked their way into the hearts of the congregants for the now-legendary "Cotillion."
The ensemble remained together throughout the westward march of the church, and played afterwards for years in The Valley, always as Pitt's Brass Band.
William agreed to do his best. However, searching throughout greater Nauvoo, William couldn't find any skilled brass players. Yet, he sent back East for instruments, and looked about to organize popular, talented musicians.
Brother Pitt assembled a group of local musicians who played frontier and folk string instruments... the fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin... None of his Confederates-in-Notes could read music, but led by the indomitable William, the ensemble persisted -- they learned by rote to play numerous military pieces for use with the Nauvoo Legion.
As the Exodus from Nauvoo to Kanesville began, the Pitt's Brass Band often fiddled and strummed about the campfires of Zion. They also offered their services to area frontier farmers, who held dances with their far-flung neighbors. The money gleaned from these "outings" was offered to assist the church during this most difficult time.
As the "brass band" played its way across the mud-flats of I-o-way, they played their "native" stringed instruments. Yet, they performed under the banner, "Pitt's Brass Band," capitalizing on their prior "fame" as musicians for the Nauvoo Legion.
The night before the Mormon Battalion mustered for its historical march, the Pitt's Brass Band fiddled, sawed and plucked their way into the hearts of the congregants for the now-legendary "Cotillion."
The ensemble remained together throughout the westward march of the church, and played afterwards for years in The Valley, always as Pitt's Brass Band.
Family Members
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Moroni William Pitt
1842–1910
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Cornelia Melvina Pitt
1845–1847
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William Heber Pitt Sr
1846–1938
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Robert Calvin Pitt
1849–1938
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Joseph Pitt
1851–1908
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James Pitt
1856–1880
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Ida Leanora Pitt Ward
1858–1931
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Caroline Blanche Pitt Lee
1862–1930
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Regenia May Pitt
1864–1866
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William Washington Pitt
1866–1930
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Daisy Pitt Harding
1868–1950
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Harold Mahonrai Pitt
1870–1951
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Marco Anthony Pitt
1872–1895
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