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JAMES REESE EUROPE 
James Reese Europe was born in Mobile, Alabama, on February 22, 1881. His family moved to Washington D.C. when he was just ten years old, and this was where his musical training began, when he began to learn piano and violin.
At the age of 22, he moved to New York, where he continued his musical studies. He made a living by playing piano in a cabaret. In 1905, he began to write for the band, "The Memphis Students". He influenced a very young George Gershwin, who once sat outside Baron Wilkin's nightclub for hours listening to him play. In 1907, he became musical director of "The Shoo-Fly Regiment," two years later, he moved on to "Mr. Lode of Coal". In 1910 he founded, along with others, an organization of Harlem Jazz musicians known as "The Clef Club", which was a part union, part fraternal organization. He served as its first president as well as conductor of it's symphony orchestra. The orchestra made history in 1912 when they became the first jazz band to play at Carnegie Hall. For the first time, the Carnegie suspended it's segregated seating rules. They were so popular that they were asked to pay again in 1913 and 1914. The concerts at Carnegie Hall enhanced the orchestra's reputation and earned them invitations to play around the world. They gained a level of respectability for black musicians as a whole that had not previously existed. Europe, was hired as band leader for the most famous dancers of the era, Vernon and Irene Castle. He was instrumental in the success of their most famous dance creation, the Fox Trot. In 1913, his band became the first black musicians to make a recording, when they performed a session for the Victor Talking Machine Company. In 1914, following disputes between members, Europe resigned as the leader of the Clef Club and formed the Tempo Club. The club was also known as Europe's Society Orchestra when they played for the Castles. Their musical relationship ended when Vernon Castle died in 1917. After the United States entered World War I in 1917, Europe enlisted in the army. His commanding officer requested that he form a band for the U.S. 15th Infantry. When the unit, now known as the 369th Regiment arrived in France, they were the first African-American combat unit to set foot on French soil. They entertained troops and French citizens wherever they traveled. They were nicknamed the "Harlem Hellfighters", and it was said that the "Jazz Germ" had hit France. On August 18, 1918, he was sent from the front to lead his band at an Allied conference in Paris. The original intention was for the band to play just one concert, but the reaction by officials was so great that they were asked to stay for eight weeks. Europe's band returned triumphantly to New York with honors on February 17, 1919. The band led parade of troops up 5th Avenue. A few weeks later, they recorded eleven tunes for a Brooklyn recording company. The band then began a major tour of American cities. On the final night of the tour, as the band was playing at Mechanic's Hall in Boston, one of his band members, Herbert Wright became angered at his strict direction and attacked Europe with a knife during the intermission. Europe's jugular vein had been severed. The following day, the newspapers carried the headline "The Jazz King Is Dead"". He was buried with military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. Links To Other James Reese Europe Internet Resources: The African American Registry - A Uniqui Composer/Bandleader, James R. Europe. Jim Europe's 369th Infantry "Hellfighters" Band. Alabama Music Hall of Fame - James Reese Europe. Harlem 1900-1940 - Schomburg Exhibit - James Reese Europe. SIGN UP TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTER If you would like us to keep you updated with changes and improvements to thatsalabama.com, please enter your email address here: If you would like to support thatsalabama.com with a donation via paypal, please click on this button: |
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