James Reese Europe

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

James Reese Europe was the most important organiser of Black musicians in New York before the First World War. In 1910 he founded the Clef Club, a union and booking agency, and in 1912 he conducted a concert by a large Black orchestra at Carnegie Hall. With his Society Orchestra he accompanied the famous dance duo Vernon and Irene Castle. In 1913 he became one of the first Black bandleaders to make records. During the war he led the band of the 369th Infantry Regiment, the Harlem Hellfighters, who introduced ragtime and early jazz to audiences in France. Shortly after his return, in 1919, he was stabbed by one of his own musicians and died.

Listening

• 
  Memphis Blues · James Reese Europe, 1919
• 
  St. Louis Blues · James Reese Europe, 1919
• 
  On Patrol in No Man's Land · James Reese Europe, 1919

Works

• 1914Castle House Rag · Europe's Society Orchestra
• 1919Memphis Blues · 369th Infantry 'Hellfighters' Band
• 1919On Patrol in No Man's Land

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

• Jazz Map^NL Map
• After Hours: Session 1^NL Reader

See also

• Big band