From the World War I Centennial News Podcast

100 Years Ago This Week: The Tragic Death of James Reese Europe

In May 3rd's edition of the World War I Centennial News Podcast, Episode 121, host Theo Mayer reviewed some of the most important headlines from this week, 100 years ago. Among them was the death of James Reese Europe, a legendary African American band leader who was tragically murdered in an altercation with a bandmate. This story was drawn from the issue of the New York Times published on May 10, 1919 (Vol. 68, No. 22386):

 Our final story for this first week in May 1919 is also a New York story involving the legendary leader of the 369th Regimental Band, James Reese Europe. Already famous as an innovator and an advocate for Black musicians in New York, he's often credited for bringing Jazz to France with the 369th. This week, he's in the headlines of the Times.

James Reese Europe was a renowned African American band leader, and is often credited with bringing jazz to FranceDateline: Friday, May 9, 1919. Headline (May 10): Jim Europe killed in Boston Quarrel; Drummer from Hell Fighters' Band Alleged to have Slashed Leader with a Knife; Won Fame by Jazz Music, Recruited Negro Band and Played for General Pershing and President Poincare. The story reads, "Boston, May 9. Lieutenant James Reese, of New York, died at a hospital here tonight as a result of a wound in the neck alleged to have been inflicted by Herbert Wright, also of New York, and a drummer in the Hell Fighters 369th Infantry Band of which Europe was the leader. The two engaged in an altercation at Mechanics' Hall where the band had been giving a series of concerts. Europe, who was standing in the wings while the band was playing a selection, called out to Wright, 'Hey, put more pep into the sticks.' Wright left his drums and walked hastily over to Europe who retreated to his dressing room. Wright followed him, and after some words, the police alleged he drew a knife and slashed Europe in the neck. Wright was arrested."

"Jim Europe was unknown as a musician about 1910 when he came to New York from Mobile, Alabama, with a strong pair of lungs to jazz the trombone and some ideas about syncopation that most other musicians refused to accept. He impressed the famous dancing pair of the Vernon Castles with the possibilities in his jazz music and they engaged him as their musical director. Both ascribed much of their success as dancers to Jimmy Europe." "When the 15th Regiment was organized, Colonel William Hayward asked Jimmy Europe to become the band leader with the rank of Lieutenant. He accepted but was not able to get together a band of Negro jazz artists in the city and was about to give up the plan when Daniel G. Reid offered $10,000 for a national canvass for the Negroes who fitted Europe's idea of syncopation. 100 men were recruited in a few months, many of them coming from the Hampton Institute." "After Jimmy Europe got his band to France with the 369th Infantry, he found the French clarion could put more jazz into his music and the combination of these horns with trombone and the syncopation made the Negro band so popular among the soldiers that they were kept traveling all the time. They played for President Poincare and General Pershing time and again, and had a request for a concert for the Prince of Wales when they left. It was said that General Gouraud would risk defeat to travel 100 miles to hear Jimmy's jazz band play. The band found equal favor upon its return to this country and a tour of principle cities resulted." James Reese Europe dead in Boston. Those are some of the stories we found were the headlines 100 years ago this week.

Links:

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1919/05/10/issue.html