Starring NOBLE SISSLE • EUBIE BL AKE BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC December 15, 1967 8:30 p.m. PROGRAM NOTES Eubie Blake - Eubie Blake I a native of Baltimore I Md. I was christened James Hubert. However I at an early age he was affectionately called "Hubie". This eventually was short­ ened to "Eubie" by which he is now professionally known. At 17 he started playing the piano professionally. In 1915 he and Noble Sissie formed a partnership as lyricist and composer. They wrote the famous "I'm Just Wild About Harry" for the Broadway show "Shuffle Along". In the early 30's Mr. Blake collaborated with Andy Razaf and wrote the musical score for Lew Leslie's "Blackbirds". Out of this association came the still popular song "Memories of You". In the 40's Mr. Blake became musical conductor for the USO Hospital Unit. He retired in 1940. Mter retirement he returned to school and graduated at the age of 66 from New York University having completed a course "The Schillinger System of Composition." He has been honored by many organizations and the City of New York for more than fifty years of contributing to musical entertainment. On February 7 I 19 68 he will be eighty five years old. Noble Sissie - Noble Sissle was born in Indianapolis on July 10 I 1889. His mother was a schoolteacher - his father a Methodist minister. He graduated from Cleveland High School and attended Butler University until the death of his father at which time he left school to assist his mother with his sister 1 Ruth 1 and brother 1 Andrew. Later he joined Jim Europe' s orchestra and went overseas in World War I. Mter the war he returned to the States and toured with the 3 69th lnfantry Band as a soloist. At the death of Jim Europe he formed a vaudville team with Eubie Blake and produced "Shuffle Along" which included the now famous "I'm Just Wild About Harry". ., RHYTHMS OF AMERICA Starring - Noble Sis sle and Eubie Blake with Singers Marjorie Hopson William Baker Mabel Lee The Persuasions Jerome Lawson James Hayes Herbert Rhoad Calvin Washington Jesse Russell Dancers Ernest Brown Charles Cook Musicians James Toliver Leroy Gibbs Charles Simons PROGRAM 1. Songs of the ethnic groups from other lands 2 . Birth of the Spirituals 3. Minstrel Shows Intermission 4. Slides of contributors to the Rhythms of America S. Development of rhythm by the Negro from Ragtime to Rock and Roll Credits Production Coordination - Miss Sadie Feddoes Production Consultant - Robert Kimball ... • Presented by Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation Franklin A. Thomas, Esq. Thomas R. Jones, J.C.C. Executive Director Chairman .