Fred Jewell ran away from home at the age of 16 to play euphonium in a circus band. He rose through the ranks of circus composers and bandmasters to become Music Director of the Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth in 1908. He later started his own music publishing company, while continuing to compose and conduct in Worthington, Indiana, his hometown. In the early 20th century, circus musicians were challenged by a demand for original music. During the morning street parades – which were done to advertise the afternoon and evening circus performances – as many as 60 – 70 marches were performed in the big cities. Of the 130 marches that Jewell wrote, Quality Plus became a perennial favorite and is one of his best known. --James Huff 17:42, March 27, 2007 (EDT) (from the program notes of The Claremont Winds, submitted with permission)