Eubie Blake and The History Of Jazz
piano keyboard
History of jazz, like almost all arts, is divided into three stages. It was first done by “the people: the Dixieland and New Orleans, the blues and gospel song and then for the people: the middle jazz, rhythm and blues , soul jazz, he is finally charged, may not be “against” the people, but it is done “outside” of the people: this was one time the bop and free jazz and post free jazz of today.
Jazz has more than one hundred years old, it is normal since its infancy it has evolved considerably. Next you have any preconceived ideas based on aesthetic imperatives defined by fixed ideas or criticism that you are as free as receptive, your idea may be different at all.
Jazz pianists, there have been many, but those who have renewed or changed the language of jazz are not many. The prerogative of a good pianist jazz is so rich that few elected to succeed: a refined sense of rhythmic and harmonic language, a sense of melody, a good ear, a quick-witted and inventive, and modesty, because The distinctive feature of the jazz musician is to keep pushing its own limits.
You will notice that I did not mention the technique, I should also be talking about “technology” because all the major pianists and jazz musicians have developed their own instrumental approach, whether or not self-taught musicians. Jazz music can not live if it is formatted, conditioned by educational precepts. Jazz music is linked to freedom.
If gossips say “jazz is dead,” is to go far fast. Jazz has continued to adjust, to slip into other musical forms. Jazz is now ubiquitous in forms and colors quite different. That may be why we no longer distinguish very well today as original music.
Eubie Blake,
STRIDE AND PIANIST OF RAGTIME
Eubie Blake learns to read music very young and began his early career as pianist in the boxes disreputable Baltimore. Until the eve of his death at age 100, he never stopped playing ragtime, inserting in its interpretations of delicious asides about his career and his colleagues.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE LIFE OF Eubie Blake
* 1883 – Eubie Blake was born February 7, 1883, in Baltimore, Maryland. His parents were freed slaves (John Sumner Blake (1838-1917) and Emily “Emma” Johnstone (1861-1927)). It is the only surviving child of eight brothers and sisters who all died in infancy.
* 1887 – He began playing the organ before turning to the piano at the age of four years. As a teenager, he played piano in a brothel in Baltimore. While practicing her piano, he earns a little money by working as a stevedore on the docks in Baltimore.
* 1899 – He was sixteen when he wrote “Sounds of Africa” (later titled “Charleston Rag” – 1919), the same year as the publication of “Maple Leaf Rag” by Scott Joplin.
* 1905 – Eubie Blake moved to New York City and married in 1910.
* 1914 – He published his first song, “Chevy Chase”.
* 1915 – Partners with Noble Sissle with which he composed, mounts a duet piano song (the “Dixie Duo”) and directs an orchestra. This is the beginning of a long fruitful partnership.
* 1921 – Eubie Blake wrote, directed and produced a musical “Shuffle Along”, the first musical to be made by blacks. The show provides an opportunity for three artists to be noticed: Paul Robeson, Florence Mills and Josephine Baker.
* 1924 – Blake and Sissle Produces “In Bamville”, which is eventually renamed “The Chocolate Dandies” However, the show fails, do not fit the stereotype of fast dancing and Negroid humor.
* 1925 – Eubie Blake continues his collaboration with Sissle.
* 1930 – He wrote “Blackbird” with Andy Razaf, which contains the popular song “Memories of You”, a ballad of Eubie Blake’s most successful. The recording of Benny Goodman conducted a few years later that song will raise to the level of standard.
* 1939-1945 – After writing and producing different showing the works, it happens again with Sissle during the Second World War in the army.
* 1946 – Eubie Blake takes a semi-retirement at age 63 to study music composition, the transcript of his songs and compose new songs.
* 1968 – Blake and Sissle be found to record an album titled “86 Years of Eubie Blake“.
* 1969 – Eubie Blake frequently performs in concerts and numerous festivals.
* 1975 – His traveling companion and partner, Sissle, died December 17, 1975.
* 1976 – Eubie Blake appears in the film “Scott Joplin”, starring Billy Dee Williams.
* 1978 – The musical “Eubie,” based on Blake’s songs, is played on Broadway.
* 1981 – Receives Medal of Freedom (the Medal of Freedom).
* 1982 – In June 1982, Eubie Blake occurs for his last public concert.
* 1983 – He died February 12, 1983 in New York where he has been active for over 80 years! He is buried in Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.