Classic-Banjo

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Policy Sam (1899) Joseph Gioscia

This is an early cakewalk/two step by a composer I've not heard of.

''The Policy' is apparently a vernacular expression for the illegal lottery the 'numbers racket', (something we don't have in the UK). The front cover shows Sam trying to decide on his three numbers. The score and midi are in the library....Steve.

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Permalink Reply by Trapdoor2 on June 4, 2014 at 2:14

Cool tune!

I had to look up the reference to "Policy". Sam was a real person involved in the scam in Chicago.

You don't have illegal games/betting in the UK? I thought that was a universal human condition...

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Permalink Reply by Steve Harrison on June 4, 2014 at 7:25

We do, but we don't have a 'numbers game.' Thanks for the info on Sam,he must have made quite an impression to have had a tune written about him. Ian informed me that Osman recorded Policy King, a rag written about the same theme. I have the piano music so I may do an arrangement, does anyone have the Osman score?