Noble Sissle was born in Indianapolis on July 10, 1889. After attending Butler University, he toured with the Thomas Jubilee Singers and became a protege of James Reese Europe, the great band leader. In 1915 Sissle met James Hubert “Eubie” Blake; they formed a songwriting partnership with Blake focusing on music and Sissle on lyrics.
“I’m the only living musician that has played all the eras,” Mary Lou Williams confidently advised Marian McPartland in the debut 20 years ago of McPartland’s acclaimed radio broadcast, Piano Jazz. “Other musicians lived through the eras and they never changed their styles.” She was right. Jazz fans and historians long ago concluded that Mary
July 29, 2018 by Stephen Robertson Summer did not just lead residents to depart Harlem for day trips and longer summer camps; it also brought visitors to the neighborhood. Some came as individuals to study or see family, friends and the city’s attractions, others as groups for large events. Evidence of the presence of