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505 coburn flute
Written by Irving Berlin
Date 1911
Publisher Irving Berlin Music Co.

"Alexander's Ragtime Band" was Irving Berlin's first major hit in 1911. It was performed by James Coburn, playing the piccolo, and the Muppets to round off a 'Roaring 20s' sketch in episode 505 of The Muppet Show.

The song was parodied as "Oscar's Trashtime Band" in Season 38 of Sesame Street where, in a recurring closing insert, Oscar the Grouch and his band, The Not-So Hot Four, play a song that parodies this song as Oscar announces the sponsors.

The tune is also used in the book Sesame Street Makes Music, with the lyrics presented as "Grover's Little Ragtime Band."

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