Description
Eubie Blake (1883-1983) was an African-American pianist, composer, and lyricist. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and began playing piano at a young age. He learned to play by ear, and eventually became a popular ragtime pianist. He was also a prolific composer, writing more than 300 songs throughout his career.
Blake is best known for his collaborations with Noble Sissle, with whom he wrote the musical Shuffle Along (1921). This was the first all-black musical to become a major Broadway hit. The show included some of Blake’s best-known songs, such as “I’m Just Wild About Harry” and “Love Will Find a Way.”
Blake was a fixture in the Harlem Renaissance, and his music was an important influence on jazz and popular music of the time. He was also a popular concert performer, playing in clubs, theaters, and concert halls throughout the United States and Europe. In 1978, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Jimmy Carter.
Eubie Blake was a major figure in African-American music of the early 20th century. His legacy lives on today, as his music continues to be performed and recorded by artists around the world.
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