Ezra Read  (1862-1922)
Last updated: 31.01.24
Ezra Read was an English pianist and composer of popular music born in humble circumstances in Willenhall, Staffordshire. He is reported to have been taught piano by his elder brother, John Colley Read who would himself later become organist at the catholic cathedral in Birmingham. After marriage to Beatrice Ida Hampden, a pianist and violinist, in 1886 they both studied harmony and composition. They are said to have written over 4000 pieces under some 120 pen names. According to the Internet source given below, perhaps the best known of Ezra's works was his Easy Pianoforte Tutor (1897) which sold many thousands of copies throughout the world. Other successes were his Cinderella Waltz (1910)of which over a million copies were sold, his Mafeking , Kimberley and Ladysmith Marches which were very popular during the Boer War, and his many "descriptive fantasias" such as The Christmas Ball (1909), Fire! Fire! (1915), The Victoria Cross (1899) and War of the Nations (1914).
In 1912-3, he turned to ragtime and composed a numer of rags and cakewalks including Bob Tail Rag, Cracker Rag, Dreamy Daniel, Postman's Holiday and Slippery Sam. Almost at the end of his career, but still with it, he composed Jazz Nights (1919). He died in Shirebrook, Derbyshire.


     Performer CD Title Supplier
       
Jazz Music CDs:
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Ragtime Music CDs:
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Item Title Available €     £     $     Other
             
DBE1462 Processional (?)
T(D)/T(D)/Guit., approx. 1¼ mins.
print-on-demand €9.00 £7.50 $11.75  
DBE1463 True Blue March (?)
T(D)/T(D)/Guit., approx. 2½ mins.
print-on-demand €9.00 £7.50 $11.75  
     Title Attribution Instruments Source Remarks
           
pdf15.gif Charabanc Ride (1922), A E. Read (music) Piano IMSLP wvicon.gif
pdf15.gif Fairy Frolics (1902) E. Read (music) Piano IMSLP wvicon.gif
pdf15.gif Her Very First Cake-Walk (1903) E. Read (music) Piano IMSLP Pub.
pdf15.gif Longest Reign (1897), The E. Read (music) Piano YorkSpace Pub.
pdf15.gif Sea Side (1890) E. Read (music) Piano IMSLP Pub.
pdf15.gif Trip to the Moon (1903), A E. Read (music) Piano IMSLP Pub.
pdf15.gif Witches' Meeting (1895), The E. Read (music) Piano IMSLP Pub.
pdf15.gif  Wonderland (1903) E. Read (music) Piano IMSLP Pub.
pdf15.gif Woodland Fairies (n.d.) E. Read (music) Piano IMSLP wvicon.gif
This list is arranged in chronological order and contains 335 works by Ezra Read (1862-1922). It does not claim to be complete and represents only the number of items located. Keys: ER pdf15.gif
Title Year Attribution Remarks
       
Winged Hours 1889  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Gems of the Ocean 189-  wvicon.gif
Sea Side 1890  Pub.
Minuet Impromptu in B 1891  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
After the Ball 1893  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Barn Dance 1893  amazon15.gif Pub.
Goblin Revels 1893  amazon15.gif Pub.
Merry Christmas 1893  amazon15.gif Pub.
Toyland 1893  amazon15.gif Pub.
Barn Dance 1894  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Better Land, The 1894  amazon15.gif Pub.
Bon-Bons 1894  amazon15.gif Pub.
Cadets' Quick March 1894  amazon15.gif Pub.
Convent Bells 1894  amazon15.gif Pub.
Gordon Boys' Quick March, The 1894  amazon15.gif Pub.
Little Duchess 1894  amazon15.gif Pub.
Lost Chord, The 1894 A. Procter (words)  amazon15.gif Pub.
President Cleveland's Grand March 1894  amazon15.gif Pub.
Prince Edward Albert 1894  amazon15.gif Pub.
Venia 1894  amazon15.gif Pub.
Ashantee 1895  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Christmas Carols 1895  amazon15.gif Pub.
Harlequinade 1895  amazon15.gif Pub.
Hurdy Gurdy 1895  amazon15.gif Pub.
Jester, The 1895  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Little Companions 1895  amazon15.gif Pub.
Marguerite 1895  amazon15.gif Pub.
Old Folks, The 1895  amazon15.gif Pub.
Pall Mall 1895  amazon15.gif Pub.
Perida 1895  amazon15.gif Pub.
Prairie Queen, The 1895  amazon15.gif Pub.
Schoolmates 1895  amazon15.gif Pub.
Sleigh Ride 1895  amazon15.gif Pub.
Trilby - Waltz 1895  amazon15.gif Pub.
Wee Lassies 1895  amazon15.gif Pub.
Witches' Meeting, The 1895  amazon15.gif Pub.
Bewitching 1896  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Dr. Jameson's Grand March 1896  amazon15.gif Pub.
En Avant 1896  amazon15.gif Pub.
Entrancing 1896  amazon15.gif Pub.
Gerona 1896  amazon15.gif Pub.
Glittering Dewdrops 1896  amazon15.gif Pub.
Japanese Polka, The 1896  amazon15.gif Pub.
Little Bo-Peep 1896  amazon15.gif Pub.
Monte Christo 1896  amazon15.gif Pub.
Nicknacks 1896  amazon15.gif Pub.
Silver Bells 1896  amazon15.gif Pub.
Silvery Echoes 1896  amazon15.gif Pub.
Sleigh Ride 1896  amazon15.gif Pub.
Always Ready 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Coon's Holiday, The 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Darby and Joan - March 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Darkies' Breakdown, The 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Diamond Jubilee, The 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Dinah Valse 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Don't Tease 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
E. Read's Easy Pianoforte Tutor 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Glittering Dewdrops 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Little Snowdrop 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Longest Reign, The 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Title Year Attribution Remarks
       
Loyalty 1897  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Mandolin Album With Accompaniments For Piano 1897  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Merry Coons 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Monkey's Antics 1897  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Pioneers, The 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Premier Selection of Hornpipes, Jigs, Reels, & C., The 1897  Pub.
Santiago 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Sundial, The 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Violinist, The 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Washington Post 1897  amazon15.gif Pub.
Alberts, The 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
America Versus Spain 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
American National Airs With Harmonized Choruses 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
Boston 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
Coonland 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
Excelsior Vamping Tutor 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
Khartoum 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
Merry Skaters 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
Off to Klondyke 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
Old Times 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
Queenie 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
Return From Klondyke, The 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
Sleigh Ride, A 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
Topsy 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
Twins, The 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
Waltz Cotillon 1898  amazon15.gif Pub.
Banjo Album 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Chloe 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Christmas Party, A 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Cloister, The 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Cock of the North and the Haughs O' Cromdale, The 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Daisy-Land 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Dreyfus 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Home Sweet Home 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Khartoum 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Merry Imps 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Old Folks 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Only a Sailor Boy For Me 1899 M. Cambie (words)  amazon15.gif Pub.
Queen of the Plains 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Summer Blossoms 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Transvaal War March, The 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Uncle Pete's Breakdown 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Victoria Cross, The 1899  amazon15.gif Pub.
Seasons, The 190-  wvicon.gif
Wattle Blossom 190-  wvicon.gif
Arab Land 1900  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Baden-Powell 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
British Empire, The 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Chinese March, The 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Christmas Box, The 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
For Queen and Country 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Handy Man 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Ladysmith March 1900  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Louisiana 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Mafeking Heroes March 1900  Pub.
On Active Service 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Paris Exhibition - 1900 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Pekin - Chinese Carnival 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Pekin - Chinese War March 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Proposal, The 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Title Year Attribution Remarks
       
Queen of Hearts 1900  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Relief of Ladysmith 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Relief of Mafeking 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Return of the Troops 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Sons of Britain March 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Transvaal, The 1900  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Twilight Memories 1900  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Victoria Cross, The 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
War in Africa 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
War on the China Sea 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Welcome Back Our British Heroes 1900 M. Cambie (words)  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Welcome Home 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
With the Colours 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
With the Flag to Pretoria 1900  amazon15.gif Pub.
Australia 1901  amazon15.gif Pub.
Buckingham Palace 1901  amazon15.gif Pub.
Commonwealth, The 1901  amazon15.gif Pub.
Coronation, The 1901  amazon15.gif Pub.
Duke of Cornwall and York 1901  amazon15.gif Pub.
His Majesty 1901  amazon15.gif Pub.
Ida 1901  amazon15.gif Pub.
Kaiser, The 1901  amazon15.gif Pub.
King Edward VII 1901  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
New Century Quadrilles, The 1901  amazon15.gif Pub.
Ping Pong 1901  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Queen Alexandra Royal March 1901  amazon15.gif Pub.
Queen Alexandra Waltz 1901  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Rose Elf, The 1901  amazon15.gif Pub.
Soldiers of the King 1901  amazon15.gif Pub.
Sugar Cane, The 1901  amazon15.gif Pub.
Victoria 1901  amazon15.gif Pub.
Charming 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Christmas Party, A 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Coronation Day 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Coronation of King Edward VII, The 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Coronation Waltz 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Daisy May 1902 Johnny Devas (words)  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Darkyland 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Fairy Frolics 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
In Camp 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
King's Champion 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Little Guards 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Love's Vows 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Love's Whisperings 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Musical Box, The 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Our Queen 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Prince and Princess Polka 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Round the Route 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Sons of the Ocean 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Summer Roses 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Tournament, The 1902  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Victor's Return, The 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Waiting For the King 1902  amazon15.gif Pub.
Bonny Baby 1903  amazon15.gif Pub.
Christmas Games 1903  amazon15.gif Pub.
Dance With Me 1903  amazon15.gif Pub.
Evening Shadows 1903  amazon15.gif Pub.
Forest Fairies 1903  amazon15.gif Pub.
Her Very First Cake-Walk 1903  amazon15.gif Pub.
Irish Guards' Waltz 1903  amazon15.gif Pub.
Title Year Attribution Remarks
       
Magic Lantern 1903  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Puss in Boots 1903  amazon15.gif Pub.
Sweet Memories 1903  amazon15.gif Pub.
Taku Polka 1903  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Trip to the Moon, A 1903  amazon15.gif Pub.
Visions of the Ball 1903  amazon15.gif Pub.
Which Is the Way to Heaven? 1903 W. Rushforth (words)  amazon15.gif Pub.
Wild West 1903  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Wonderland 1903  amazon15.gif Pub.
Zamora 1903  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Darby and Joan - Waltz 1904  amazon15.gif Pub.
Japan and Russia 1904  amazon15.gif Pub.
Killarney 1904  amazon15.gif Pub.
Lifeboat, The 1904  amazon15.gif Pub.
Little Princess, The 1904  amazon15.gif Pub.
Little Snowdrop 1904  amazon15.gif Pub.
Night Attack on Port Arthur, A 1904  amazon15.gif Pub.
Queenie Waltz 1904  amazon15.gif Pub.
Type of Beauty, A 1904  amazon15.gif Pub.
Ivy's Cake Walk 1904-5  amazon15.gif Pub.
Bit of the Past, A 1905  amazon15.gif Pub.
British Empire, The 1905  amazon15.gif Pub.
Coon Lovers 1905  amazon15.gif Pub.
Dancing Pansies 1905  amazon15.gif Pub.
Glory March 1905  amazon15.gif Pub.
Golden Dreamland 1905  amazon15.gif Pub.
King in the East!, The 1905 J. G. Gibson (words)  amazon15.gif Pub.
Kingston Town 1905  amazon15.gif Pub.
Little Companions 1905  amazon15.gif Pub.
Mountain Belle 1905  amazon15.gif Pub.
Poppy, The 1905  amazon15.gif Pub.
Toyland 1905  amazon15.gif Pub.
Venice by Night 1905  amazon15.gif Pub.
Wee Lassies 1905  amazon15.gif Pub.
You and I 1905  amazon15.gif Pub.
British Columbia 1906  amazon15.gif Pub.
Hop Scotch 1906  amazon15.gif Pub.
Lilliput Parade, The 1906  amazon15.gif Pub.
New Zealand 1906  amazon15.gif Pub.
Princess Ena 1906  amazon15.gif Pub.
Royal Marriage, The 1906  amazon15.gif Pub.
Sweet and Low 1906  amazon15.gif Pub.
Children's Drill March, The 1907  amazon15.gif Pub.
Church Parade, The 1907  amazon15.gif Pub.
Elfland 1907  amazon15.gif Pub.
Evensong 1907  amazon15.gif Pub.
Gee-Whiz 1907  amazon15.gif Pub.
Nile Lilies 1907  amazon15.gif Pub.
Our School 1907  amazon15.gif Pub.
Scrimmage, The 1907  amazon15.gif Pub.
Wee Maudie's Prayer 1907 Tom Robinson (words)  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Boys' Brigade, The 1908  amazon15.gif Pub.
Chiming Bells 1908  amazon15.gif Pub.
Church Lads' Brigade, The 1908  amazon15.gif Pub.
Come Back to Erin 1908  amazon15.gif Pub.
Drifting Clouds 1908  amazon15.gif Pub.
Exhibition Dance 1908  amazon15.gif Pub.
Love Stories 1908  amazon15.gif Pub.
Lusitania 1908  amazon15.gif Pub.
Old Sweet Story, The 1908  amazon15.gif Pub.
Title Year Attribution Remarks
       
Pickaninnies Parade 1908  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Round the Exhibition 1908  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Boy Scouts, The 1909  amazon15.gif Pub.
Children's Christmas Ball, The 1909  amazon15.gif Pub.
Christmas Fairies 1909  amazon15.gif Pub.
Daylight 1909 Tom Robinson (words)  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Elves and Goblins 1909 T. Robinson (words)  amazon15.gif Pub.
Ezra Read's Easy Pianoforte Tutor 1909  amazon15.gif Pub.
Imps, The 1909  amazon15.gif Pub.
Learning to Be Soldiers 1909 T. Robinson (words)  amazon15.gif Pub.
Little Red Riding Hood 1909 T. Robinson (words)  amazon15.gif Pub.
Love's Land 1909  amazon15.gif Pub.
Territorials March, The 1909  amazon15.gif Pub.
Tiresome Dollies 1909 T. Robinson (words)  amazon15.gif Pub.
Vision of Beauty, A 1909  amazon15.gif Pub.
North Pole, The 190?  wvicon.gif
Aeroplane Waltzes 1910  amazon15.gif Pub.
Cinderella Waltz 1910  amazon15.gif Pub.
Ezra Read's Easy American Organ and Harmonium Tutor 1910  amazon15.gif Pub.
Girls' Washing Day, The 1910 T. Robinson (words)  amazon15.gif Pub.
Her Majesty 1910  amazon15.gif Pub.
King George V 1910  amazon15.gif Pub.
Love Stories 1910  amazon15.gif Pub.
Major and Minor Scales For the Pianoforte, The 1910  amazon15.gif Pub.
Marseillaise & La Cecile Gavotte, The 1910  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Merry Reaper Lads, The 1910 T. Robinson (words)  amazon15.gif Pub.
New Town Band, The 1910 T. Robinson (words)  amazon15.gif Pub.
Queen Mary 1910  amazon15.gif Pub.
British Boys, The 1911  amazon15.gif Pub.
Cathedral March, The 1911  amazon15.gif Pub.
Chancel March, The 1911  amazon15.gif Pub.
Cupid's Queen 1911  amazon15.gif Pub.
Fairy Prince 1911  Pub.
Fountain Spray 1911  amazon15.gif Pub.
King's Guard 1911  amazon15.gif Pub.
Miner, The 1911  amazon15.gif Pub.
Parting, The 1911  amazon15.gif Pub.
Pretty Blue Bells 1911  amazon15.gif Pub.
Return, The 1911  amazon15.gif Pub.
Sabbath Chimes 1911  amazon15.gif Pub.
Tattoo, The 1911  amazon15.gif Pub.
Three Morris Dances 1911  amazon15.gif Pub.
Torch Light 1911  amazon15.gif Pub.
Bob Tail Rag 1912  amazon15.gif Pub.
Dream Visions 1912  amazon15.gif Pub.
Ezra Read's Easy Albums 1912  amazon15.gif Pub.
Frosty Morning, A 1912  amazon15.gif Pub.
Ireland 1912  amazon15.gif Pub.
Tin Whistle Band 1912  amazon15.gif Pub.
Windflowers 1912  amazon15.gif Pub.
Bonnie Lassies 1913  amazon15.gif Pub.
Christmas Echoes 1913  amazon15.gif Pub.
Cracker Rag 1913  amazon15.gif Pub.
Dashing Darkies 1913  amazon15.gif Pub.
Dreamy Daniel 1913  amazon15.gif Pub.
Golden Eagle, The 1913  amazon15.gif Pub.
Irresistible 1913  amazon15.gif Pub.
L'Entente Cordiale 1913  amazon15.gif Pub.
Little Bright Eyes 1913  amazon15.gif Pub.
Little Heroes 1913  amazon15.gif Pub.
Title Year Attribution Remarks
       
Nut's Parade, The 1913  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Postman's Holiday 1913  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Rag Bag Rag 1913  amazon15.gif Pub.
Slippery Sam 1913  amazon15.gif Pub.
Tango Dance 1913  amazon15.gif Pub.
Toreador, The 1913  amazon15.gif Pub.
Anglo-German War March 1914  amazon15.gif Pub.
Belgian March, The 1914  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Call to Arms, The 1914  amazon15.gif Pub.
Christmas Greetings 1914  amazon15.gif Pub.
Europe in Arms 1914  amazon15.gif Pub.
Fight For Freedom, The 1914  amazon15.gif Pub.
Laughing Eyes 1914  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Little Soldiers 1914  amazon15.gif Pub.
Marseillaise, The 1914  amazon15.gif Pub.
National Anthems of the United Nations 1914  amazon15.gif Pub.
War of the Nations 1914  amazon15.gif Pub.
Bandolero, The 1915  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Christmas Tales 1915  amazon15.gif Pub.
Fire! Fire! 1915  amazon15.gif Pub.
Italian National Hymn 1915  amazon15.gif Pub.
Sweet Flowers Waltz, The 1915  amazon15.gif Pub.
Coonville Fair 1919  amazon15.gif Pub.
Jazz Nights 1919  amazon15.gif Pub.
E. Read's School of Melodious & Progressive Studies 1920  amazon15.gif Pub.
Charabanc Ride, A 1922  Pub.
Airs of All Nations 1 ?  wvicon.gif
Airs of All Nations 2 ?  Pub.
Golden Hours ?  Pub.
Japanese Polka, The ?  amazon15.gif wvicon.gif
Joy's Ragtime Album ?  amazon15.gif Pub.
Laughing Niggers ?  Pub.
Processional ?  wvicon.gif
True Blue March ?  Pub.
Woodland Fairies n.d.  wvicon.gif