James Reese Europe

This article from Sheet Music Magazine combines two of my interests: music and early 20th century American history.

Although I have read several historical accounts of the life of George (and Ira) Gershwin and thus know the story of Europe's accidental influence on the young Gershwin, I believe Europe is often relegated to a footnote in the study of music history as a result of his untimely death. (Is there a musician's curse? So many of the greats died young....) But to scratch the surface, the man helped launch a new dance* and was a highly successful agent for so many musicians. Unions and agents are second nature today, but at the time, it was groundbreaking. If only all of struggling musicians and actors today of various unions could be so lucky as to be booked through a "Clef Club."

In addition to his influence on Gershwin and his impact on the development of the foxtrot, Europe is also known for his groundbreaking popular music performance at Carnegie Hall. The instrumentation of his band is legendary, although not all of the members actually played an instrument, what is most noteworthy is that Europe brought the saxophone out from the fringes as a novelty instrument and gave it street cred as a jazz instrument. Can you imagine JAZZ without a SAXOPHONE?

The Sheet Music Magazine article neatly sums up the origins of the foxtrot, illuminates the creativity of Europe's orchestral instrumentation, highlights the character of the man through his voluntary military service, as well as amplifies how Europe was a role model for the community.


Jazz.com also does an excellent article about the life and music of James Europe. About his death Thomas Morgan writes:

Europe and his band returned triumphantly to New York on February 12, 1919, and soon began a tour of American cities. The final concert on the tour was at Mechanic's Hall in Boston on May 9, 1919. That evening, when one of the "Percussion Twins," Herbert Wright, became angered by Europe's strict direction, he attacked the band leader with a knife during intermission.

Noble Sissle recalled:

"Jim wrestled Herbert to the ground, I shook Herbert and he seemed like a crazed child, trembling with excitement. Although Jim's wound seemed superficial, they couldn't stop the bleeding, and as he was being rushed to the hospital he said to me: "Sissle, don't forget to have the band down at the State House at nine in the morning. I am going to the hospital and I will have my wound dressed....I leave everything for you to carry on."

Europe's jugular vein had been severed.

The next day the papers carried the headlines:

"The Jazz King Is Dead."

Sissle's partner Eubie Blake later said of Europe,

"He was our benefactor and inspiration. Even more, he was the Martin Luther King of music."

Sissle remarked:
There was only one Jim Europe, and he had not just been "made" with that band of his. There was years of experience behind that sweep of his arms, and anyone who tried to follow him would just be out of his mind....I was sure that conducting was not the field in which I was to carry on his life's dreams. In my mind his band should remain in the memory of those who heard it led by Lieutenant James Reese Europe, and that's how it ended.

Europe was buried with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

I can't help but admire Jim Europe. If only I could have heard his band "live and in concert". Can you imagine? Witnessing the transition from ragtime to jazz? IF I had a time machine, that's where I'd make my first stop.

Ah. I'm such a throwback. Was I was born too late? Nah, I just really like imagining life in the early 20th century. Plenty of great things here in 2006 too.

Okay, I'm off to You Tube.

Note:

* History of Dance article makes no mention of Europe with relation to the foxtrot. Wait. Hmmmm. "Harry Fox was doing trotting steps to ragtime music." Unfortunately, that's as close as it gets...