Eubie Blake was one of the most important figures in early-20th-century African-American music, and one whose longevity made him a storehouse of the history of ragtime and early jazz music and culture. Born in Baltimore in 1883, Blake began playing piano professionally when he was 16; he wrote his first composition, "Sounds of Africa," (later retitled "Charleston Rag") around the same time. His career did not really take off until he met Noble Sissle in 1915. Together, Blake and Sissle wrote many hits. Blake also collaborated with Andy Razaf (on "Memories of You"), Henry Creamer, and other writers, composing more than 350 songs.
Blake, Sissle, and James Reese Europe began collaborating on the musical Shuffle Along in 1916, but were interrupted by World War I and Sissle and Europe's military service overseas. Europe and Sissle returned to the United States in 1919. Europe died shortly after returning from Europe; Blake and Sissle continued working on the musical until its premiere in 1921.
Shuffle Along was the musical sensation of 1921--guaranteeing Blake his place in music history. The musical was significant not only for single-handedly reviving the moribund genre of the black musical, but also for helping launch several young performers and composers on their successful careers. Among these notables were Josephine Baker, Florence Mills, Paul Robeson, and William Grant Still, who was in the pit orchestra. Many songs from Shuffle Along, such as "I'm Just Wild About Harry," "Love Will Find a Way," and "In Honeysuckle Time" became great hits, were recorded dozens of times, and retain their freshness and charm more than 80 years later.
Blake was one of the principal figures of the ragtime and early jazz revival of the 1970s, giving talks and performances well into his nineties. In 1979 the musical Eubie was created from his work; Blake himself made several cameo appearances in performances. Eubie Blake passed away 5 days after his 100th birthday.
Tracklist:
Record 1: Rags
01 Dream Rag
02 Charleston Rag
03 Maple Leaf Rag
04 Semper Fidelis
05 Eubie’s Boogie
06 Poor Jimmy Green
07 Tricky Fingers
08 Stars and Stripes Forever
09 Baltimore Todolo
10 Poor Katie Red
11 Kitchen Tom
12 Troublesome Ivories
13 Chevy Chase
14 Brittwood Rag
Record 2: Theatre
01 Medley: Bleeding Moon / Under The Bamboo Tree
02 It’s All Your Fault - With Noble Sissle
03 "Shuffle Along" Medley - With Noble Sissle
04 I’m Just Wild About Harry
05 Spanish Venus
06 As Long As You Live
07 Medley: Charleston / Old Fashioned Love / If I Could Be With You
08 You Were Meant For Me - With Noble Sissle
09 Dixie Moon
10 Blues, Why Don’t You Let Me Alone
11 Blue Rag In 12 Keys
12 Memories of You
No comments:
Post a Comment