Political Musicians, but Not Musical Politics [UPDATED with William Barr on Bagpipes]

Many political figures in U.S. history have played musical instruments, including Thomas Jefferson (cello), John Quincy Adams (flute), Chester Alan Arthur (banjo), and Warren Harding (cornet).  Some have been amateurs at best — Bill Clinton on saxophone; Tim Kaine on harmonica — but others have been pretty accomplished. Here are a few clips, in no particular order (except at the end):

Robert Byrd at the White House

Condoleezza Rice and Yo-Yo Ma

Byrd again, note Roy Acuff singing backup on the right

Richard Nixon and Pearl Bailey

Richard Nixon at the Grand Ole Opry, introduced by Roy Acuff

Harry Truman and James Petrillo, president of the American Federation of Musicians and namesake of Chicago's Petrillo Band Shell (note: Petrillo was a better organizer than trumpet player, and he deservedly lost the union presidency when he opposed integration). Note the union's objection to "canned music;" it sounds odd now, but it put thousands of musicians out of work in the '50s.

The singing senators: Trent Lott, Larry Craig, John Ashcroft, and Jim Jeffords

Bob Kerrey (more poignant because he lost part of his leg in Vietnam)

John Ashcroft

Sonny Bono

Byrd again

Special guest appearance by Vladimir Putin

UPDATE: Bill Barr on bagpipes (not serenading Putin)

 

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