Denville String Band Site

<A NAME="Top"> </A> <FONT SIZE="-1">The page you are seeing now is shown on browsers that are not equipped to view framed sites. Current versions of frames-enabled browsers (for best viewing of this and other framed sites) are available from Microsoft, Netscape and other vendors.</FONT> <CENTER> <H1>The Denville String Band</H1> <H5>New Jersey Mummers                                    (973) 267-2211</H5> <HR 80%> </CENTER> <font face="Arial"> <B><EM>Welcome </em></B> to the home page of the <B><EM>Denville String Band</em></B> -- a New Jersey band that entertains in the tradition of the Philadelphia Mummers!   While visiting our site, you'll find information about the band.  You can contact us for further information, or stop by the club house and visit us sometime. <P> <font face="Arial"> <TABLE ALIGN=LEFT WIDTH=365> <TR> <TD WIDTH=365><IMG SRC="joerwb03f.jpg" HEIGHT="255" WIDTH="350" ALIGN="LEFT" ALT="Joe Mazzocchi in 1994 Patriotic Suit"> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=-1 face="Arial"><B>Big Memorial Day Parade, Dover, NJ, 2001</B></FONT> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> <B>Mummers String Bands</B> originated in Philadelphia.  In a tradition that continues annually on New Years day morning, thousands of Mummers march through the city in a parade now sponsored by the city of Philadelphia.  Most of the participants are in spectacular costumes, but most marchers do not play instruments.   Sandwiched in the middle of the parade are the favorite for many of the spectators -- the 18 or so Philadelphia-area String Bands.  The combination of saxophones, banjos, accordions and glockenspiel is a distinctive and unforgettable sound.</font> <p><strong><font face="Arial">In <a href="http://www.denvillenj.org/" target="_top">Denville?</a> </font></strong> <font face="Arial"> <TABLE ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=150> <TR> <TD WIDTH=150><IMG SRC="saxwback.jpg" HEIGHT="194" WIDTH="150" ALIGN="RIGHT" ALT="DSB Sax Player"></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><FONT SIZE="-1" face="Arial"><B>Sax player in backpiece</B></FONT></TD> </TR> </TABLE> The Denville String Band (DSB) recreates this Philadelphia phenomenon throughout northern New Jersey, performing at 30 or more events each year.   The DSB has acquired authentic musical arrangements written especially for the Philadelphia mummers bands.  In addition, since the Philadelphia bands must create new costumes each year for their big parade, we purchase our "suits" from one of these bands.  Over the years, we have aquired our suits from many of Philadelphia's top prize-winners.  All suits have sequins and bright colors.  The Captain and select band members wear large feather "back pieces" to create an impressive appearance.</font> <p></p> <p><font face="Arial">DSB musicians vary in age (from high-school thru retirement) and playing ability.  Some members fill important roles in managing the club house and truck, or helping to maintain our parade uniforms and props.  All members enjoy participating in a fun organization that makes music and entertains people.  </font></p> <p><font face="Arial">We rehearse most Monday nights at our Club House near NJ Transit's Mt.Tabor train stop.  If you want to stop in, you will be welcome -- but play it safe and call (973) 267-2211 to make sure we are meeting that night, since our concert schedule sometimes takes us elsewhere.</font></p> <CENTER>   <IMG SRC="photopages/photoimages/dsbwhitm.jpg" WIDTH="445" HEIGHT="274" ALT="Gov. Whitman w/DSB-Ridgewood July 4, 2000"><BR CLEAR="left"> <TABLE WIDTH="445" BORDER="0"> <TR> <TD ALIGN="center"> <font size="-1"><font face="Arial"><B>New Jersey Governor Christie Whitman shares a moment with the DSB prior to the 2000 Ridgewood Parade</B></font></font> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> <p align="center"><font face="Arial,Helvetica" size="-2" color="blue"><i><b> E-mail comments on this site to:     <A HREF="mailto:dsbweb@cook-designs.com">dsbweb@cook-designs.com</A><br> <BR> Copyright © 2004 "NJMummers"</b></i><br> <a href="#top">Back to Top</a> </font></p> </CENTER> </font>