About the Event

The March 29 Circus History Live! program will feature former Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus band musicians Charlie Bertini and J.P. Cunningham who will discuss the circus band Sounds of the Big Top!

Charlie Bertini joined the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros Circus band at age 19 and toured for six years as first-trumpeter and later as musical director. Later, in demand as a first-call trumpeter, he backed up artists such as Burt Bacharach, Liza Minnelli, Henry Mancini and many more. He recorded seven solo albums and was executive director of the annual AppleJazz Festival in upstate New York which ran for thirty years. As a teacher and clinician, he led numerous workshops and lectures at several universities and high schools. 

After a stint in the US Navy, J.P. Cunningham attended Berklee College of Music in Boston for a year. He then joined the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus band where he played trombone for twenty-five years. In 1996, when the show downsized the band, Cunningham switched to advertising the circus. He remained in that role until the show finally closed in 2015.    

Circus Historical Society vice president Chris Berry will host this session.

Registration is Required

Circus History Live! is free for Circus Historical Society members and nonmembers. Because our Zoom Big Top has a limited number of seats, however, registration is required and nonmembers are encouraged to join CHS.

To register, click the YES button at the top of the announcement or the REGISTER button on the top left of the event webpage.

How to Attend the Event

To participate, at the time of the event, click here to enter the CHS Zoom Big Top and follow the prompts. Ensure your microphone is muted and your video is off to help preserve bandwidth.

To listen to the program on your phone, dial (646) 931-3860. Enter Meeting ID 883 9539 6064. The passcode is: 651680.

About the Circus Historical Society

We are a tax exempt nonprofit educational organization dedicated to preserving the rich history of circus. Nonmembers are invited to join and receive full member benefits, including four issues of Bandwagon: The Journal of the Circus Historical Society, access to the members-only Back Yard and bookstore, discounted registration for our annual Convention, and more! Dues are only $60 per year. Click here to learn more and join today!

Circus History Live! Recordings

Previous Circus History Live! programs are available for viewing on the CHS YouTube Channel.

Technical Assistance

For assistance, please click Technical Support.