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John Philip Sousa

American bandleader, conductor, composer, and founder of ASCAP, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Musicians. Born November 6, 1854 in Washington DC (USA), died March 6, 1932 in Reading, Pennsylvania, USA. Known as the "March King," Sousa was most famous for his military marches, including "The Stars and Stripes Forever" the official national march of the US. He led the U.S. Marine Band from 1880-1892, and later conducted his own band "Sousa's Band". The sousaphone instrument was named in tribute to him.