James Reese Europe collection

id
1916
origination
Europe, James Reese, 1881-1919
date statement
1847-1996
key date
1847
identifier (local_mss)
20906
org unit
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
call number
Sc MG 616
b-number
b16109024
total components
27
total series
0
max depth
2
boost queries
(none)
component layout
Default Layout
Extended MARC Fields
false
Extended Navigation
false
created
2013-04-01 15:04:19 UTC
updated
2026-08-15 02:26:17 UTC
status note
(missing)
Display Aeon link
true

Description data TOP

unitid
{"value"=>"20906", "type"=>"local_mss"}
{"value"=>"Sc MG 616", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"b16109024", "type"=>"local_b"}
unitdate
{"value"=>"1847-1996", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1847/1996"}
unittitle
{"value"=>"James Reese Europe collection"}
physdesc
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"2 boxes", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"0.83 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}]}
repository
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division</span>"}
abstract
{"value"=>"James Reese Europe was an accomplished musician, composer, conductor, organizer, and recording artist. The collection primarily consists of photocopied secondary sources, newspaper clippings, and programs collected by James R. Europe, Jr. to document his father's accomplishments."}
langmaterial
{"value"=>"English"}
origination
{"value"=>"Europe, James Reese, 1881-1919", "type"=>"persname"}
bioghist
{"value"=>"<p>James Reese Europe was an accomplished musician, composer, conductor, organizer, and recording artist. In 1902, at the age of twenty-one, he relocated to New York City and shortly thereafter organized the Clef Club, a union of black musicians and booking agency, as well as a fraternal-like group. In 1912, the Clef Club Orchestra, under the direction of Europe, held a concert in Carnegie Hall that gained the recognition and respect of a primarily white elite audience. From 1914 to 1916, Europe's Society Orchestra toured throughout the United States and overseas with Vernon and Irene Castle, a husband and wife dance team.</p> <p>During World War I, Europe enlisted in the armed services as a private, passed an officer's exam, and became a lieutenant. As an officer he was assigned to the New York 15th Infantry in Harlem and was told to form a band. On New Year's day 1918, Europe and the band traveled to France and were assigned combat duty under French command. Europe thus became the first African-American officer to lead combat troops into battle. The New York 15th Infantry was later renamed the 369th Infantry, also known as the Harlem Hellfighters. The French also credited Europe with introducing a form of music that later became known as jazz. After World War I ended, Europe returned to the U.S. where he died in 1919, after a backstage altercation with Herbert Wright, (a drummer in his band) who stabbed him in the neck and severed an artery.</p>"}
scopecontent
{"value"=>"<p>This collection primarily consists of photocopied secondary sources, newspaper clippings, and programs collected by James R. Europe, Jr., to document his father's accomplishments. The contents also include bibliographies; magazine articles; a chronology of the Europe family from 1847 to 1947; a folder of WWI records, with Europe's military discharge records; a certified copy of the incorporation of the Clef Club of New York City; the <span class=\"title\">Memoirs of Lieutenant Jim Europe</span>, by Noble Sissle, 1920, (which are actually reminiscences about Europe by Sissle); and excerpts from a biography, <span class=\"title\">James Reese Europe: A Life in Racetime</span>, written by Reid Badger in 1995.</p>"}
acqinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Gift of James Reese Europe, Jr., May 1997.</p>"}
separatedmaterial
{"value"=>"<p>Transferred to the General Research and Reference Division: various books and periodicals</p> <p>Transferred to the Photographs and Prints Division: photographs</p>"}
processinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Accessioned by P. Williams, August 1997.</p>"}
relatedmaterial
{"value"=>"<p>James Reese Europe, Jr. papers, Sc MG 629, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture</p>"}
date_start
1847
keydate
1847
date_end
1996
date_inclusive_start
1847
date_inclusive_end
1996
prefercite
{"value"=>"[Item], James Reese Europe collection, Sc MG 616, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library"}

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