About James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant

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James Reese Europe was an early jazz pioneer and war hero whose talents and patriotism knew no boundaries. Against all odds Mr.Europe advanced his cause as well as the cause of millions of Black Americans to the highest reaches of society. He formed the first significant all Black musician union and booking agency in the United States (The Clef Club)at a time when Blacks were not allowed to join all White musician unions, his orchestra was the first Black music group to ever record a record as well as to play the prestigious Carnegie Hall concert venue in New York City. As Lt. Europe, James Reese Europe made military and music history as well by being the first Black to lead troops into battle during World War One and to spread the 'jazz germ' throughout continental Europe while bandleader of the greatest military jazz band of the most decorated regiment of the entire war, The New York 15TH National Guard Unit a.k.a. The Harlem Hellfighters. Ironically, Mr. Europe endured the hardships of racism and war to achieve all of these wonderful and amazing things only to die a senseless tragic death at the hands of one of his musicians at the young age of 39. Please join the artist known as R2C2H2 for a highly informative and visually expressive pictorial narrative of a man whose untimely murder on the verge of The Jazz Age he helped to create left him and his work almost in anonymity. By reading this book, James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant you will see why we should celebrate and rejoice in the life and legacy of Lt.James Reese Europe who according to the great Eubie Blake was the savior of Negro musicians and who is in a class with Booker T. Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.

Artastically and Jazzlistically yours,
R2C2H2 a.k.a. THA ARTIVIST

The Official R2C2H2 Newsletter:Update on James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant and Support W.E. A.L.L. B.E.

Greetings Family,
I hope this e-mail finds you and yours in good spirits and celebrating life and love...I just wanted to share with you all some wonderful things I have started as well as been apart of:

(A) As some of you may or may not know April is officially designated National Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) by the Smithsonian Institute...In celebration of this month as well as in support of other R2C2H2 activities, FROM APRIL 11 TO MAY 11 ALL SIGNED PRINTS OF ARTWORKS AVAILABLE ON ALL OF MY WEBSITES WILL BE SOLD FOR $15 (NORMALLY $40 VALUE) EACH WHICH INCLUDES SHIPPING AND HANDLING!!! THE PRINTS ARE AVAILABLE AT 11" X 17" WITH ACTUAL IMAGE SIZE BEING 11" X 14"...THE FOLLOWING ARE THE WEBSITES WERE YOU CAN CHOOSE WORKS AVAILABLE FOR THIS SPECIAL OFFER:


1.)THA OFFICIAL R2C2H2 WEBSITE
2.)SOME MORE R2C2H2 ART
3.)2PAC ART

In Order To Pay For art you can use the paypal link below (please specify exactly what you ordered by e-mailing me at r2c2h2@gmail.com):

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick&business=r2c2h2%40gmail%2ecom&no_shipping=0&no_note=1&tax=0&currency_code=USD&lc=US&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8

Or you can mail a check or money order to the following address---please make sure to include the name(s) of the print(s) that you ordered:

Ronald Herd II/ R2C2H2
P.O. Box 751341
Memphis,TN 38175

A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PROCEEDS OF ALL ART AND COPIES OF MY BOOK
JAMES REESE EUROPE: JAZZ LIEUTENANT WILL GO TO HELP HUMANITY WHICH WILL INCLUDE ASSISTANCE FOR HURRICANE KATRINA SURVIVORS AS WELL AS TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING NEW ALTERNATIVE TO ALTERNATIVE NEWS ORGANIZATION, W.E. A.L.L. B.E.

(B) Please Support New Alternative to Alternative News Organization: W.E. A.L.L. B.E.!!!
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WONDERING WHERE WAS I FOR THE PAST MONTH...WELL I WAS WORKING ON THE LAUNCH OF W.E. A.L.L. B.E. WHICH STANDS FOR (W)ORLD (E)NRICHING (A)CTIVATING (L)IBERATING (L)OVE (B)EAUTIFICATION (E)XPERIENCE...W.E. A.L.L. B.E. IS THE ALTERNATIVE TO ALTERNATIVE NEWS WHERE WE LOOK TO INCLUDE AS MANY POINT OF VIEWS A S POSSIBLE WHILE LETTING THE INDIVIDUAL DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT TO BELIEVE...PLEASE VISIT THE OFFICIAL SITE AT http://www.weallbe.blogspot.com/ AND SEE HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVE IN ENSURING W.E. A.L.L. B.E.'S SUCCESS AESTHETICALLY, CRTICIALLY AND FINANCIALLY!!! (NOTE: IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A DONATION OF $15.00 OR MORE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A SIGNED ART PRINT OF YOUR CHOICE)

(C) MORE JAMES REESE EUROPE: JAZZ LIEUTENANT NEWS!!!



IT'S OFFICIAL JAMES REESE EUROPE: JAZZ LIEUTENANT IS READABLE AND ENJOYABLE!!!Thanks TO EVERYONE WHO BROUGHT AND ARE GOING TO BUY A COPY OF THIS BOOK!!!

BESIDES BEING NAMED TO THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE'S JAZZ BOOKS FOR KIDS AND YOUNG ADULTS RECOMMENDED READING LIST THE BOOK HAS BECOME SO LIKABLE THAT JAZZ LIEUTENANT HAS RECENTLY BEEN ADDED TO THE CIRCULATIONS AND SHELVES OF SOME OF THE UNITED STATES' MOST RESPECTED INSTITUTES OF HIGHER LEARNING, OUR PUBLIC LIBRARIES, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES...HERE'S A SHORT LIST OF SOME OF THE INSTITUTIONS WHO INVESTED IN MY BOOK (PLEASE CLICK ON NAMES TO SEE ACTUAL RECORDS:
1.)Washington University (My Alma Mater)
2.) Richland County Public Library (The U.S.'s Third Largest Public Library)
3.) Northern Virginia Community College- Annandale Campus

John Gilbert (Johnny Jazz) recently wrote a great review of the book on E-Jazz News As Well PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU BUY A COPY OF JAMES REESE EUROPE AT EITHER AMAZON.COM OR BOOKSURGE.COM...If you want more information concerning James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant please
VISIT THE OFFICIAL JAMES REESE EUROPE: JAZZ LIEUTENANT WEBSITE and
CHECK OUT SOME OF THE PICS IN THE BOOK ON R2C2H2'S ART GALLERY AT ALL ABOUT JAZZ.
(D) FOR MORE R2C2H2 NEWS:
Please visit Arthur 'Soldier Boy Grip' Taylor Chronicles and
Tha Artivist Presents
Artastically yours,

R2C2H2 THA ARTIVIST

Well Known Jazz Enthusiast John Gilbert: This is a book of historical significance in both jazz, race relations and heroism.

This review of James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant appears courtesy of eJazzNews.com
This is a well documented account of the life of James Europe who was a war hero and instrumental in advancing the cause of Black musicians in the heyday of racism and bigotry. Europe formed the first black musician's union, known as The Clef Club. His was the first black orchestra to record and to play at Carnegie Hall.

While in service with the army in the first world war, James Europe was the victim of a gas attack while in battle. He led the band of New York's 15th. National Guard Unit known as The Harlem Hellfighters. The unit was reputed to be the most decorated regiment in WW1.

James Reese Europe was a true pioneer of black jazz and influenced the works of Ellington, Basie and others of import. At the age of 39 Europe was tragically murdered by a member of his band and his brilliance was left tragically on a Boston hospital bed, his legacy lives on, however, to this day.

This book is illustrated magnificently by R2C2H2 in the folk art genre.

Eubie Blake described Europe as being among the major influences in both jazz and the advancement of the black musician in society. George Gershwin, as a child would sit outside the Harlem club where Europe was performing and no doubt was hugely influenced by his artistry.

This is a book of historical significance in both jazz, race relations
and heroism.

John Gilbert
Visit California Coast Jazz At:
http://community-2.webtv.net/johnnyjazz/johnnyjazzsjazzpage

What The People Are Saying About R2C2H2's Work

1.) [R2C2H2] HAVE OBVIOUSLY ATTAINED A SENSE OF SPIRIT
THAT MANY WHO ARE YEARS OLDER THAN [R2C2H2] WOULD
COVET.
- KWEISI MFUME, FORMER PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE
NAACP
***
2.) [R2C2H2] GAVE THEM ELEMENTS OF THEIR JAZZ HISTORY
THAT MOST OF THEM WILL NEVER RECEIVE IN CLASSROOMS.
[R2C2H2’S] FORMAT WAS VERY WELL ORGANIZED AND CAPTURED
THE CHILDREN’S ATTENTION…IT ALSO GAVE THEM THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF THEIR
INDIVIDUAL CREATIVE SPIRIT.
- DEBRA MORROWLOVING; LITERARY ARTIST, ARTS EDUCATOR,
FOUNDER/DIRECTOR OF SISTER NINETIES LITERARY GROUP
***
3.) MUCH LIKE THE JAZZ MUSIC THAT [R2C2H2] PAYS
TRIBUTE TO, HIS ARTWORK IS SPIRITUALLY INFORMED AND
SPEAKS TO PEOPLE IN A VERY HUMANE AND DIRECT WAY.
[R2C2H2] IS ONE OF THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE THAT
I EVER MET, YET HIS ARTWORK IS NOT CLOUDED IN CODES
THAT PREVENT THE LAYPERSON FROM UNDERSTANDING IT.
NEITHER IS IT SO SIMPLE AS TO BE DISMISSED…THE JOURNEY
THROUGH HIS CONSCIOUSNESS TOOK ME TO HISTORICAL AND
SPIRITUAL PLACES CARVED OUT THROUGH ABSTRACTLY FORMED
RHYTHMIC AND VOLUPTOUS BODIES OF JAZZ MUSICIANS,
AFRICAN AMERICAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.
- CHANDRA WILLIAMS; VISUAL ARTIST, UNIVERSITY OF MISS.
ART MUSEUM EDUCATOR/CURATOR
***
4.) [R2C2H2] HAS THE ABILITY TO NOT ONLY SURVIVE, BUT
TO POSSIBLY EVEN THRIVE.
- JEFF DANIEL, VISUAL ART CRITIC FOR THE ST. LOUIS
POST DISPATCH
***
5.) [R2C2H2] HAS CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED SKILLS AND
ABILITIES THAT EXCEL WITHIN THE STUDIO ENVIRONMENT AND
BEYOND. A HUMANIST WITH A PEN – A PROMOTER WITH A
LARGER PURPOSE – [R2C2H2] IS AN ARTIST WHO WILL HAVE
AN IMPACT, AN ARTIST WHO WILL CHALLENGE AND WHO WILL
REWARD THOSE WHO ACCEPT HIS CHALLENGES.
- JEFF PIKE; DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF ART, WASHINGTON
UNIVERSITY (ST. LOUIS)
***
6.) [R2C2H2] HAS A LOVE FOR LIFE AND A LOVE FOR PEOPLE
THAT BLEEDS OVER INTO HIS ART…AS A MULTI-FACETED AND
MULTI-TALENTED ARTIST, [R2C2H2] HAS RISEN TO THE RANKS
OF ONE OF THE NATION’S MOST PROMISING VOICES. HIS ART
SPEAKS OF LEGACY, MATURITY AND HOPE. THROUGH HIS ART,
[R2C2H2] CAPTURES THE DEPTH OF JACOB LAWRENCE, THE
CREATIVE INNOVATION OF CHARLIE PARKER, THE SINCERITY
OF RALPH ELLISON, THE SPIRITUALITY OF JOHN COLTRANE
AND THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC COMMENTARY OF
TUPAC SHAKUR.
- DR. EMMETT PRICE III; MUSICIAN AND PROFESSOR OF
MUSIC AND AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES AT NORTHEASTERN
UNIVERSITY OF BOSTON
***

7.) [R2C2H2] HAS DEVELOPED A VERY PERSONAL STYLE OF
PAINTING AND DRAWING...HE HAS EXPANDED HIS KNOWLEDGE
OF BLACK HISTORY, JAZZ, GOSPEL MUSIC, AFRICAN
ART…USING ALL THE ELEMENTS HE GATHERS FROM EXPERIENCE
AND STUDY HE SYNTHESIZES HIS IMAGES, REAL AND
DREAMLIKE, INTO LARGE SCALE WORKS FILLED WITH LINE AND
COLOR. THEY ARE IN VOCATIVE MESSAGES WHICH CAN BE
SEEN OVER AND OVER, EACH TIME PRESENTING NEW THOUGHTS
AND QUESTIONS FOR THE VIEWER. HE DOES NOT SHY AWAY
FROM PRESENTING THE TRUTH IN HISTORY, SO THERE ARE
PASSAGES WHICH ECHO THE TRAGEDY AND VIOLENCE OF THE
AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE…THAT YOUNG MAN IS GOING
PLACES.
- GEORGIA BINNINGTON;ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR
STUDENT SERVICES FOR THE SCHOOL OF ART AT
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (ST. LOUIS)
***
8.)NOT ONLY THROUGH HIS SCHOLARSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO
ARTISTIC PERFECTION, BUT ALSO IN HIS UNWAVERING
COMMITMENT TO ENHANCING OTHERS' UNDERSTANDINGS OF THE
HUMAN EXPERIENCE, [R2C2H2] HAS DEMONSTRATED THE
HIGHEST OF PROFESSIONAL VALUES AND EXCELLENCES. HIS
WORK OCCUPIES A UNIQUE PLACE IN EARLY 21st CENTURY
REPRESENTATIONS OF JAZZ AND EMOTION. I COMMEND HIM
FOR MAKING A TRUE CONTRIBUTION TO THE ARTISTIC WORLD.
- NATHANIEL CRIS GUALBERTO; SCHOLAR, PHILOSOPHER AND
HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST

***
9.)[R2C2H2'S]WORK IS VERY MOVING, IT'S DETAILED, IT'S
VERY INSPIRATIONAL...IT SPEAKS TO THE SOUL OF VIEWERS
WHO HAVE PASSION ABOUT ART, ABOUT LIFE AND ABOUT
PEOPLE IN GENERAL.
- FRIEDA WHEATON, ARTS ADVOCATE AND
BOARD MEMBER OF THE ST. LOUIS ART MUSEUM
***
10.)AGAIN, THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING JAMES REESE
EUROPE: JAZZ LIEUTENANT. I REALLY LIKE IT. I WILL
ALSO RECOMMEND IT TO TEACHERS AS A RESOURCE FOR THEIR
OWN INFORMATION.
- LOIS KIPNIS, THE DIRECTOR OF ARTS
EDUCATION AT THE FRIENDS OF THE ART S FOUNDATION