February 7
EUBIE DAY
Pianist, bandleader and writer of 1,000 songs, James Hubert Blake was born this day in 1883 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Better known to music aficionados the world over as Eubie, Blake learned his trade from W. Llewellyn Wilson, piano teacher of New York’s black music teachers and entertainers in the 1920s. By the time Eubie was sixteen, he was entertaining in cafes in Baltimore and writing songs like Charleston. Vaudeville was his stage in 1915 when he teamed with Noble Sissle. They had a hit song, It’s All Your Fault and produced the musical, Shufflin’ Along. Its hit songs were composed by Eubie (Love Will Find a Way and I’m Just Wild About Harry, which later became the theme song for the 1948 U.S. presidential election campaign for Harry S Truman).
Blake also worked on other Broadway shows: Chocolate Dandies, Blackbirds of 1930 (which produced another favorite Eubie hit, Memories of You), Shuffle Along of 1932, Atrocities of 1932, Swing It, Tan Manhattan, Brownskin Models and Hit the Stride (the last was accomplished in his 72nd year).
WWII troops, ragtime enthusiasts, jazz audiences, concert goers and TV viewers have all had the pleasure of being entertained by Eubie Blake. His honors were many, including playing at U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s 1978 jazz party, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom [1981], kudos from ASCAP on his 90th birthday and recording on his own label almost to his 100th birthday.
Eubie Blake died five days after his 100th year. Fans the world over will always honor him by listening to his music.
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
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