James Reese Europe
Source: Red Hot Jazz
Among ragtime forbears to jazz was James Reese Europe. Born on 22 February 1881 in Mobile, Alabama, Europe is the earliest black bandleader to play Carnegie Hall, that with his Clef Club Orchestra in 1912. After Europe's appearance at Carnegie Hall he changed the name of his band to the Society Orchestra and, with the assistance of dancers, Irene and Vernon Castle, helped introduce the foxtrot to the American public.
Europe first recorded to issue on 1 Nov 1912, backing Ada Jones in Camden, NJ, on 'I've Got the Finest Man' toward Victor 17205. World War I would bring the formation of his army band, the Hellfighters, during World War I. The whole body of his recordings were made in the second decade of the 20th century.
'I've Got the Finest Man' James Europe backing Ada Jones
Recorded 1 Nov 1912 in Camden, NJ Victor 17205
Music: Europe Lyrics: Henry Creamer
'Too Much Mustard' James Europe & his Society Orchestra
Recorded 29 Dec 1913 in NYC Victor 35359
Composition: Cecil Macklin
'Castle's Lame Duck' ('Congratulations Waltz') James Europe & his Society Orchestra
Recorded 10 Feb 1914 in NYC Victor 35372
Composition: James Europe
'How You Gonna Keep 'Em Down On the Farm' James Europe & Hellfighters Jazz Band
Recorded 7 May 1919 Pathe 22078
Composition: Walter Donaldson
Peacetime was more dangerous for Europe than had been wartime, as on 9 May of 1919 in Boston, 2 days after his last recording session of six tracks with Pathe on 7 May, one of his drummers, Herbert Wright, stabbed him in the neck, killing him, having become impassioned during a conversation with Europe concerning his treatment of band members. Europe was only 38 years of age.
Sources & References:
Chronology & Performance Itinerary:
Peter M. Lefferts (University of Nebraska Lincoln 2016)
Compilations:
James Reese Europe Featuring Noble Sissle (Complete Pathe Recordings of 1919 on IAJRC CD 1012 in 1996)
Discographies:
James Europe's Hellfighters (Army band World War I):
Sessionographies:
(Tom Lord: 6 jazz-relevant sessions)
Further Reading:
America Comes Alive
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