UW Ethnomusicology Archives video recordings: Film session of Eubie Blake, 1970-11-09

Overview of the Collection

Creator
University of Washington Ethnomusicology Archives
Title
UW Ethnomusicology Archives video recordings: Film session of Eubie Blake
Dates
1970-11-09
Quantity
1 items  :  EC - 1 vct (DigiBeta); WD - 1 DVD; Duration: 00:21:54; Wash. Film Preservation Project documentation (2006)
Collection Number
2006018
Summary
Copy of 16mm film of Eubie Blake recorded and filmed at the University of Washington, Music [Brechemin] Auditorium, 11/9/70.
Repository
University of Washington Ethnomusicology Archives
University of Washington
Ethnomusicology Archives
Box 353450
Seattle, WA
98195-3450
Telephone: 2065430974
ethnoarc@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Access is restricted.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Eubie Blake was one of the most important figures in early 20th-century African-American music, and one whose longevity made him a storehouse of the history of ragtime and early jazz music and culture. Born in Baltimore in 1883, Blake began playing piano professionally when he was 16; he wrote his first composition, "Sounds of Africa," (later retitled "Charleston Rag") around the same time. His career did not really take off until he met Noble Sissle in 1915. Together, Blake and Sissle wrote many hits. Blake also collaborated with Andy Razaf (on "Memories of You"), Henry Creamer, and other writers, composing more than 350 songs. Blake, Sissle, and Europe began collaborating on the musical Shuffle Along in 1916, but were interrupted by World War I and Sissle and Europe's military service overseas. Europe and Sissle returned to the United States in 1919. Europe died shortly after returning from Europe; Blake and Sissle continued working on the musical until its premiere in 1921. Shuffle Along was the musical sensation of 1921--guaranteeing Blake his place in music history. The musical was significant not only for single-handedly reviving the moribund genre of the black musical, but also for helping launch several young performers and composers on their successful careers. Among these notables were Josephine Baker, Florence Mills, Paul Robeson, and William Grant Still, who was in the pit orchestra. Many songs from Shuffle Along, such as "I'm Just Wild About Harry," "Love Will Find a Way," and "In Honeysuckle Time" became great hits, were recorded dozens of times, and retain their freshness and charm more than 80 years later. Blake was one of the principle figures of the ragtime and early jazz revival of the 1970s, giving talks and performances well into his nineties. In 1979 the musical Eubie was created from his work; Blake himself made several cameo appearances in performances. Eubie Blake passed away shortly after his 100th birthday.

-https://www.loc.gov

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Ethnomusicology Archives film documentation file includes a biography of Eubie Blake and notes on the tunes performed.

Contents: (each item announced by performer) Charleston Rag (1899); Brittwood Rag [Driftwood Rag?] (improvised); Tricky Fingers; Stars and Stripes Forever (Sousa); As Long as You Live, You Are Going to Be My Baby (vocal); Memories of You (from Broadway show "Ladies and Gents") (picture and sound go slightly out of synch during last piece; picture ends at 21:19, sound ends at 21:54).

Credits: "Washington Films"; "Eubie Blake in Seattle, 1970"; "Copyright 1979 University of Washington Press, Seattle and London"; "Produced by the Archive of Ethnic Music and Dance of the University of Washington with support from the National Endowment for the Arts."

DigiBeta master (2006-18.1 EC) produced from original film reel and mag by Alpha Cine 4/2006 as part of Washington Film Preservation Project; DVD (2006-18.1 WD) copied from DigiBeta master.

Related collection: 70-10.1-2 OT - original audio for film (in slightly different order)

Documentation: Film log

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • African Americans--North America--Regional and Ethnic Cultures
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Popular Music
  • Ragtime
  • Video recordings in ethnomusicology

Geographical Names

  • North America
  • Seattle (Wash.)
  • United States

Form or Genre Terms

  • Video recordings

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Blake, Eubie, 1887-1983 (performer)