Eubie Blake, Piano/Composer, 1883, Baltimore, MD
Eubie's parents, who had been slaves, managed to get him started on the organ when he was six years old. Later he studied music theory with local musicians. At the age of 15 he was playing professionally in nightclubs in the Baltimore area, and by 1899 wrote his first piano rag, "Sounds Of Africa". In 1915 Eubie formed a songwriting partnership with Noble Sissle and they produced a hit with "It's All Your Fault", performed by Sophie Tucker. In 1921 they produced the show, "Shuffle Along" which enjoyed a 14 month run on Broadway. Many of the songs Eubie composed were infused with the syncopated ragtime rhythms that were so popular in Tin Pan Alley between 1900 and 1920. In 1946 he stopped performing and enrolled at NYU to complete his music education. Blake made his first recordings in 1917, and continued to make piano rolls as well as phonograph records with his own orchestra into the 1930s. He was considered the foremost rag pianist in the country, and launched a very successful career as a soloist and lecturer. His work beautifully reflected the strong influences of jazz and rag-time combined. Over his long career Eubie became a legendary figure, performing constantly on television and at festivals in the U.S. and elsewhere. He received awards from many groups, the most notable the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1981. He also received honorary degrees from several universities. Eubie Blake died in 1983.
