By Bernie Brink

In May of 1912, bandleader James Reese Europe and his Clef Club Orchestra made history in becoming the first Black ensemble to appear at the famed Carnegie Hall, presenting a program of ragtime and proto-jazz.  This momentous performance brought Black American music to Carnegie Hall more than a decade before Paul Whiteman’s and George Gershwin’s famed concert at Aeolian Hall, and more than a quarter century before Benny Goodman presented the first big band concert on that venerated stage.

Having formed the Clef Club in 1910 as a labor union for Black musicians, James Reese Europe was a pioneer in transposing “syncopated music” like ragtime to a large ensemble format.  Europe and the Clef Club Orchestra were instrumental in popularizing Black American music in the early 20^th century and advocating for Black artists.  The Carnegie Hall premiere in May, 1912 was, in fact, a benefit to raise funds for the Music School Settlement for Colored People, dedicated to preserving and developing Black musical expression in the U.S.  Shortly after that premiere performance, Europe and the Clef Club Orchestra were essentially enlisted as the official musical ensemble accompanying ballroom dancers (and international superstars) Irene and Vernon Castle – not unlike “The Roots” or “The Tonight Show Band” of today.  Through this relationship, much of Europe’s music was published both in print and recordings for the prominent Victor label.

During World War I, James Reese Europe enlisted in the 15^th Regiment of the New York Army National Guard (New York’s first black regiment) where he fought as a lieutenant and served as headmaster of the regiment’s brass band.  Taking his sound on the road, Europe and the “Harlem Hellfighters” performed for allied military audiences and French civilians, touring France to great acclaim.  Upon returning in 1919, newspapers hailed him as America’s “Jazz King” – again, years before Paul Whiteman earned the same distinction, or Benny Goodman was crowned “King of Swing.”

Though Europe met an untimely death that same year, his loss was felt so acutely by New Yorkers that his funeral was held publicly, the first offered to a Black American in that city.  He was laid in state on May 13, 1919, where a procession of thousands of mourners – both black and white – came to pay their respects.

Though James Reese Europe’s name has become somewhat buried in history, his influence cannot be overstated.  The music of his Clef Club Orchestra and “Harlem Hellfighters” band helped to popularize Black music in the U.S. and abroad while jazz was in its infancy, laying the groundwork for many great musicians who followed.  Europe’s legacy has continued through the music of Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Thad Jones, Terrence Blanchard, and Kamasi Washington, among countless others.