James Reese Europe

[phonogfp]

“On This Day in the History of Recorded Sound…”

May 9, 1919: Died: James Reese Europe, first African-American to lead his own band for a major recording company.

#antiquephonographsociety #phonograph #gramophone #antique

Europe, James3.jpg (20.65 KiB) Viewed 100 times

Europe, Jamesgroup.jpg (215.06 KiB) Viewed 100 times

[edisonplayer]

I have a couple of the Victors and one of the Pathés.edisonplayer.

[CharliePhono]

I didn't realize he was murdered. This, according to Wikipedia (I know, trust but verify):

"On the night of May 9, 1919, Europe performed for the last time. He had been feeling ill all day, but wanted to go on with the concert (which was to be the first of three in Boston's Mechanics Hall). During the intermission Europe went to have a talk with two of his drummers, Steve and Herbert Wright. After Europe criticized some of their behavior (walking off stage during others' performances), Herbert Wright became very agitated and threw his drumsticks down in a seemingly unwarranted outburst of anger. He claimed Europe did not treat him well and that he was tired of getting blamed for others' mistakes. He lunged for Europe with a penknife and was able to stab him in the neck. Europe told his band to finish the set and he would see them the next morning. To Europe and his band the wound seemed superficial. As he was carried away, he told them "I'll get along alright." At the hospital, they could not stop the bleeding and he died hours later."

[ChesterCheetah18]

I didn't realize he was murdered. This, according to Wikipedia (I know, trust but verify):

"On the night of May 9, 1919, Europe performed for the last time. He had been feeling ill all day, but wanted to go on with the concert (which was to be the first of three in Boston's Mechanics Hall). During the intermission Europe went to have a talk with two of his drummers, Steve and Herbert Wright. After Europe criticized some of their behavior (walking off stage during others' performances), Herbert Wright became very agitated and threw his drumsticks down in a seemingly unwarranted outburst of anger. He claimed Europe did not treat him well and that he was tired of getting blamed for others' mistakes. He lunged for Europe with a penknife and was able to stab him in the neck. Europe told his band to finish the set and he would see them the next morning. To Europe and his band the wound seemed superficial. As he was carried away, he told them "I'll get along alright." At the hospital, they could not stop the bleeding and he died hours later."

Correct. If I'm not mistaken, he also drove himself to the hospital. Very sad, after surviving the horrors of the battlefield, including a poison gas attack, during WWI to lose his life the way he did.

Steve