Research Catalog
James Reese Europe collection
- Title
- James Reese Europe collection, 1847-1996
- Author
- Europe, James Reese, 1881-1919.
- Supplementary Content
- Finding aid
Available Online
Items in the Library & Off-site
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2 Items
| Status | Container | Format | Access | Call Number | Item Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Available - Can be used on site. Please visit New York Public Library - Schomburg Center to submit a request in person. | box 1 | Mixed material | Use in library | Sc MG 616 box 1 | Schomburg Center - Manuscripts & Archives |
Available - Can be used on site. Please visit New York Public Library - Schomburg Center to submit a request in person. | box 2 | Mixed material | Use in library | Sc MG 616 box 2 | Schomburg Center - Manuscripts & Archives |
Details
- Additional Authors
- Description
- 0.6 linear ft. (1 1/2 archival boxes)
- Summary
- The collection primarily consists of photocopied secondary sources, newspaper clippings, and programs collected by James R. Europe, Jr. to document his father's accomplishments. The contents also include bibliographies, magazine articles, a chronology of the Europe family from 1847 to 1947, a folder of WWI records, with Europe's military discharge records, a certified copy of the incorporation of the Clef Club of New York City, the "Memoirs of Lieutenant Jim Europe," by Noble Sissle, 1920, (which are actually reminiscences about Europe by Sissle), and excerpts from a biography, "James Reese Europe: A Life in Racetime" written by Reid Badger, in 1995.
- Subjects
- Jim Europe's 369th Infantry Band
- Jim Europe's 369th Infantry Regiment Band
- African American soldiers
- African American musicians > New York (State) > Societies, etc
- African American entertainers
- Jim Europe's Four Harmony Kings
- Jim Europe's Singing Serenaders
- Popular music > United States > 1911-1920
- Europe, James Reese, 1881-1919
- Europe's Society Orchestra
- World War, 1914-1918 > Participation, African American
- African American conductors (Music)
- United States > Army > Military life
- African Americans > Music
- Sissle, Noble, 1889-1975
- Note
- Books and magazines transferred to the General Research and Reference Division.
- Source (note)
- James Reese Europe, Jr.
- Call Number
- Sc MG 616
- OCLC
- NYPG05-A27
- Author
- Europe, James Reese, 1881-1919.
- Title
- James Reese Europe collection, 1847-1996
- Biography
- During World War I, Europe enlisted in the armed services as a private, passed an officer's exam and became a lieutenant. As an officer he was assigned to the New York 15th Infantry in Harlem and was told to form a band. On New Year's day, 1918, Europe and the band traveled to France and were assigned combat duty under French command. Europe thus became the first African-American officer to lead combat troops into battle. The New York 15th Infantry was later renamed the 369th Infantry, also known as the Harlem Hellfighters. The French credited Europe with introducing a form of music that later became known as jazz.After World War I ended Europe returned to the U.S. where he died in 1919 after a backstage altercation with Herbert Wright, (a drummer in his band) who stabbed him in the neck and severed an artery.
- Connect to:
- Added Author
- Badger, Reid.Sissle, Noble, 1889-1975.
- Research Call Number
- Sc MG 616