James reese europe biography of christopher

          Born in the deep south in Mobile, Alabama, James Reese Europe would eventually become a major influence on the role of black music in ragtime-era America.

        1. The pianist James Reese Europe, born in Alabama in , played “jazz” before the world even knew the word.
        2. In his lifetime, James Reese Europe () was celebrated as an exceptional composer, conductor, band leader, and entrepreneur.
        3. Chronology and Itinerary of the Career of James Reese Europe: Materials for a Biography.
        4. James Reese Europe was a composer and bandleader of the early 20th century who helped move ragtime music into jazz and also assisted in the.

          5. In his lifetime, James Reese Europe () was celebrated as an exceptional composer, conductor, band leader, and entrepreneur....

          James Reese Europe

          American jazz musician and US Army officer (–)

          Musical artist

          James Reese Europe (February 22, [1] – May 9, ) was an American ragtime and early jazzbandleader, arranger, and composer.

          He was the leading figure on the African-American music scene of New York City in the s. Eubie Blake called him the "Martin Luther King of music".[2]

          Early life

          Europe was born in Mobile, Alabama, to Henry Jefferson Europe (–) and Loraine Saxon (maiden; –).

          Alabama-born Europe was a star before the war: In he was behind a Carnegie Hall concert which featured musicians (10 pianos, seven.

          His family – which included four siblings, Minnie Europe (Mrs. George Mayfield; –), Ida S. Europe (–), John Newton Europe (–), and Mary Loraine (–) – moved to Washington, D.C., when he was 10 years old.[3][4]

          Europe moved to New York in He had a son, James Reese Europe Jr (–) with Bessie Simms (–).[5]

          Band leader

          In , Europe organized the Clef Club, a society for Black Americans in the music industry.

          In , the club made history when it played a concert at Carneg