tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-232767492024-02-20T18:29:04.357-06:00James Reese Europe: Jazz LieutenantTold through the artistic talents and literary skills of the 'artivist' known as R2C2H2, a true story about the achievements and accomplishments of pioneering jazz musician and World War One hero James Reese Europe. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1419602454&linkCode=as2&tag=r2c2h24231980-20&linkId=13f9e337c3e992983fc4037468bd6392">To get a copy of the award winning book go to Amazon.com</a>.tha artivisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061773506155912706noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-68690103856670380082013-02-22T23:26:00.003-06:002013-02-22T23:31:20.367-06:00Tha Artivist Salutes The Jazz Lieutenant, James Reese Europe @ Graveside!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Tha Artivist Salutes The Jazz Lieutenant, James Reese Europe</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"></a><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CPpAADkkSQs" width="420"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/CPpAADkkSQs">http://youtu.be/CPpAADkkSQs</a><span style="color: #660000;"><i><b></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><i><b><br />"Tha artivist salutes the Jazz Lieutenant!!!<br />r2c2h2 makes a pilgrimage to pay homage to the most honorable Lt. James Reese Europe!!!"</b></i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlbNo0f7wj4jQQg6MHqCmKNg6jVNkWgpXNqERVqJProRhwe-qvuh4IzJ8e_c35Rfof2U5c95guAylkI_72pCQxEIIAK8bTp7zJwgHFORo4Rtg7-9nZKpq1rpje1njLHEndgttRQ/s1600/buy+james+europe+book+cover.jpg" /></a><br />
I spent almost 10 hours at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington,VA, over a period of 2 days (June 18 & 19, 2012) looking for the grave of one of my heroes, Lt. James Reese Europe, jazz pioneer, renowned band leader, and founder of the legendary Harlem Hellfighters Regimental Band...I had to actually postpone my leaving Washington DC by a day because I was determined to find it...Although I was initially given bad directions and nobody from the park rangers, Arlington staff or military police could seem to help me in my time of need the Universe aka GOD had other plans...The ancestor blessed me by making his presence known and everything came full circle...The best things in life are the things worth working and sacrificing for...Lt. Europe 'overstood' this and that was the reason why I wrote and illustrated my first book about him 7 years ago...</div>
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<b>To learn more please visit: </b></div>
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<a href="http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com/">http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>To Receive An Autographed Copy of "James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant" Please Follow The Following Directions:</b></i></span><br /> <br /> <i>To Pay Online</i><br /> Please Send $25 (which includes shipping & handling) To Our Secure PayPal Account:<br /> <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=F69XF2A5CQ6U6" rel=" nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=F69XF2A5CQ6U6</a><br /> <br /> <i>To Mail Payment</i><br /> Please Send A $25 Check Or Money Order To The Following Address:<br /> <br /> Attn:Ronald Herd II<br /><span class="text_exposed_show"> James Reese Europe : Jazz Lieutenant<br /> P.O. Box 752062<br /> Memphis,TN 38175<br /> <i><br /> If You Have Any Further Questions And/Or Comments Please Feel Free To E-mail Us @ <a href="mailto:r2c2h2@gmail.com">r2c2h2@gmail.com</a></i></span></span></div>
tha artivisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061773506155912706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-46510957210236875092010-07-12T15:50:00.001-05:002013-02-22T23:39:07.386-06:00About James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/1600/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.9.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/320/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.9.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Help make this important book a universal best seller...Please go to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/sr=1-4/qid=1145652277/ref=sr_1_4/102-7574687-3469740?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books">Amazon.com</a> and/or<br />
<a href="http://www.booksurge.com/product.php3?bookID=GPUB01775-00002">Booksurge.com</a> to purchase your copy(s)today.</i></div>
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<i><b>About James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant</b></i></div>
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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. </div>
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To check out great illustrated images from the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/sr=1-4/qid=1145652277/ref=sr_1_4/102-7574687-3469740?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books">James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant</a> by R2C2H2 Tha Artivist please click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2005356&id=3111521&l=0b397ffe59">here</a></div>
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Artastically and Jazzlistically yours,</div>
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/1600/r2c2h2logo.1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/200/r2c2h2logo.0.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ther2c2h2.com/">R2C2H2</a> a.k.a. <a href="http://www.thaartivist.blogspot.com/"><i>THA ARTIVIST</i></a></div>
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<i>P.S.</i></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>To Receive An Autographed Copy of "James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant" Please Follow The Following Directions:</b></i></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span style="color: #274e13;"><i><b><a href="http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlbNo0f7wj4jQQg6MHqCmKNg6jVNkWgpXNqERVqJProRhwe-qvuh4IzJ8e_c35Rfof2U5c95guAylkI_72pCQxEIIAK8bTp7zJwgHFORo4Rtg7-9nZKpq1rpje1njLHEndgttRQ/s1600/buy+james+europe+book+cover.jpg" /></a> </b></i></span><br /> <i>To Pay Online</i><br /> Please Send $25 (which includes shipping & handling) To Our Secure PayPal Account:<br /> <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=F69XF2A5CQ6U6" rel=" nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=F69XF2A5CQ6U6</a><br /> <br /> <i>To Mail Payment</i><br /> Please Send A $25 Check Or Money Order To The Following Address:<br /> <br /> Attn:Ronald Herd II<br /><span class="text_exposed_show"> James Reese Europe : Jazz Lieutenant<br /> P.O. Box 752062<br /> Memphis,TN 38175<br /> <i><br /> If You Have Any Further Questions And/Or Comments Please Feel Free To E-mail Us @ <a href="mailto:r2c2h2@gmail.com">r2c2h2@gmail.com</a></i></span></span></div>
C. Herdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00686545341868797504noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-61081016468867590752010-02-02T17:27:00.001-06:002010-02-22T23:45:55.012-06:00W.E. A.L.L. B.E. TV: Why We Should Remember James Reese Europe A.K.A. The Jazz Lieutenant...<div style="color: #274e13; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>W.E. A.L.L. B.E. TV: Why We Should Remember James Reese Europe A.K.A. The Jazz Lieutenant...</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0N-H-RJ3T-E&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0N-H-RJ3T-E&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4IP6nHm0BI4b3IxC60anA7TY8Lakw5bRgff8R2cLhxHthEdJzTvRbYURwLQqOXmx8AB5FhDYmt4sm6bTwfvP7Ena3fUWKDBaM3dKseIt82OlzRPLpPOaL5aBYDirBKR5-_Ql7g/s1600-h/buy+james+europe+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4IP6nHm0BI4b3IxC60anA7TY8Lakw5bRgff8R2cLhxHthEdJzTvRbYURwLQqOXmx8AB5FhDYmt4sm6bTwfvP7Ena3fUWKDBaM3dKseIt82OlzRPLpPOaL5aBYDirBKR5-_Ql7g/s1600-h/buy+james+europe+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4IP6nHm0BI4b3IxC60anA7TY8Lakw5bRgff8R2cLhxHthEdJzTvRbYURwLQqOXmx8AB5FhDYmt4sm6bTwfvP7Ena3fUWKDBaM3dKseIt82OlzRPLpPOaL5aBYDirBKR5-_Ql7g/s640/buy+james+europe+book+cover.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #990000;"> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #990000;">Who Was Lt. James Reese Europe?</b></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a dir="ltr" href="http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com">http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com</a> <br />
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The Awarding Winning & Critically Acclaimed "James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant" Written & Illustrated By R2C2H2 Tha Artivist & Featured On The Smithsonian Institute's Recommended Jazz Books For Kids & Young Adults List. <br />
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Get Your Copy Of James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant Today @ Amazon.com: <a dir="ltr" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/sr=1-4/qid=1145652277/ref=sr_1_4/102-7574687-3469740?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/sr=1-4/qid=1145652277/ref=sr_1_4/102-7574687-3469740?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419...</a> <br />
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Or Treat Yourself & Get An Autographed Copy: <a dir="ltr" href="http://jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com/2010/01/get-your-copy-of-james-reese-europe.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com/2010/01/get-your-copy-of-james-reese-europe.html">http://jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com/20...</a></div>tha artivisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061773506155912706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-37504625651014326972010-01-02T10:47:00.009-06:002010-01-03T04:28:22.185-06:00Get Your Copy Of James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant Today!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);">Video: James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant Commercial</span></span><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jluUY_n7UC0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jluUY_n7UC0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jluUY_n7UC0"><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jluUY_n7UC0</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buy The Award Winning </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/sr=1-4/qid=1145652277/ref=sr_1_4/102-7574687-3469740?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books">James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant from Amazon.com</a> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Or Get An Autographed Copy From </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com/2010/01/get-your-copy-of-james-reese-europe.html">http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com</a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/1600/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.9.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/320/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The People Have Spoken!</span></span><br /><br /><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">May 14, 2008</span></em><br /><em></em><br /><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Hello r2c2h2,</span></em><br /><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">I really loved your book about James Reese Europe. The artwork was a tribute and very beautiful too. Your web site is exciting and your artful messages are profound.</span></em><br /><em></em><br /><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">My name is Ellen Europe-Gomez and my children are James Reese Europe IV and Robert Foster Europe.</span></em><br /><em></em><br /><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Thank you for your interest in a true American hero. We are so proud of this brave and innovative man.</span></em><em></em><br /><em></em><br /><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Bless you and I wish you continued success in your endeavors.</span></em><br /><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Sincerely,</span></em><br /><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ellen Europe-Gomez</span></span></em><br /><br />***<br /><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">This exemplary combination of biography, chronicle and illustrations of one of "our" great forgotten heroes is perhaps one of the most innovative publications in recent years.</strong><strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">The art adds another dimension as it personalizes [R2C2H2’s] intimate connection with "the jazz lieutenant" offering more than just a book, more than just a pictorial biography, but a magnus opus!!!</strong><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">~Dr. Emmett Price of Northeastern University, Renowned Ethnomusicologist</span><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"></strong><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"></strong><strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">This book is illustrated magnificently by R2C2H2 in the folk art genre.</strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">This is a book of historical significance in both jazz, race relations</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">and heroism.~<span style="font-weight: bold;">Jazz Critic John Gilbert</span></span></strong><br /><strong></strong><strong></strong><br /><strong>***</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">Through this book, R2C2H2 introduced me to James Reese Europe, a visionary and pioneer. Any primary school aged child could benefit from reading this book. It shows how a person can overcome obstacles to achieve his goals. Any lover of jazz would find this book enlightening and may prompt them to search for some new (old) music for their collection. Any admirer of R2C2H2’s work would be please to have a gallery of his drawings at their fingertips.~<span style="font-weight: bold;">Tisha St. Clair, Sister Nineties Book Reviewer</span></span></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">***</span></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Get Your Copy Today!</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong>Support your favorite Artstorian in his first artastic literary effort to inform the people on the achievements and sacrifices of a forgotten jazz pioneer, civil rights leader and overall American Hero, Lt. James Reese Europe…<a href="http://www.smithsonianjazz.org/bibliography/jazz_books_6_12.pdf"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51); font-style: italic;">Listed on the acclaimed Smithsonian Institute's Recommended Jazz Books for Young Kids and Adults List!!!</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 0);">A.) Buy @ Amazon.com</span><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/sr=1-4/qid=1145652277/ref=sr_1_4/102-7574687-3469740?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/sr=1-4/qid=1145652277/ref=sr_1_4/102-7574687-3469740?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">B.) To Receive An Autographed Copy Please Follow The Following Directions</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To Pay Online </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Please Send $25 (which includes shipping & handling) To Our Secure PayPal Account:</span><br /><form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><br /><input name="cmd" value="_s-xclick" type="hidden"><br /><input name="hosted_button_id" value="10881451" type="hidden"><br /><input src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_buynowCC_LG.gif" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" type="image"><br /><img alt="" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" border="0" height="1" /><br /></form><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To Mail Payment</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Please Send A $25 Check Or Money Order To The Following Address:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Attn:Ronald Herd II</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> James Reese Europe : Jazz Lieutenant</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">P.O. Box 752062</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Memphis,TN 38175</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">If You Have Any Further Questions And/Or Comments Please Feel Free To E-mail Us @ <a href="mailto:r2c2h2@gmail.com">r2c2h2@gmail.com</a></span><br /></div>tha artivisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061773506155912706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-58870794996528397952009-06-18T00:57:00.002-05:002009-06-18T01:01:34.844-05:00James Reese Europe A.K.A. The Jazz Lieutenant On YouTube...<div align="center"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NUdifyc5pXE&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NUdifyc5pXE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
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<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/sr=1-4/qid=1145652277/ref=sr_1_4/102-7574687-3469740?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books"><strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Buy The Award Winning James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant</span></strong>
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<br /></div><p align="center"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049486878220084690" style="cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXAFAp2ejdPLgf9Z6v73712EV08HiEp04yMmex9YcSUFJmnsRiLPxPi1xEDVqBZ4BBj6anVRfaBvTLq1Vl_2zJgBk4PPPtYXoSXuAgj1yTIkn-bn4mK8Q5PNRHq_nDdI6qlpO/s320/james%2520europe.jpg" border="0" /></em></span></p><div align="center"><atomicelement id="ms__id3679"><span style="font-size:85%;"><highlighttext id="ms__id3680"></highlighttext></span></atomicelement>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><em><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">*Named To The Smithsonian Institute's Jazz Books For Kids And Young Adults List*</span> </span></em></span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 0);">Official Website:</span>
<br /></span></em><a href="http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com/"><em><span style="font-size:100%;">http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com/</span></em></a></span><atomicelement id="ms__id3636"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXAFAp2ejdPLgf9Z6v73712EV08HiEp04yMmex9YcSUFJmnsRiLPxPi1xEDVqBZ4BBj6anVRfaBvTLq1Vl_2zJgBk4PPPtYXoSXuAgj1yTIkn-bn4mK8Q5PNRHq_nDdI6qlpO/s1600-h/james%20europe.jpg"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><em></em></span></a></atomicelement><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
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<br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Buy The Book @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/sr=1-4/qid=1145652277/ref=sr_1_4/102-7574687-3469740?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books">Amazon.com</a></span></em></div></span>tha artivisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061773506155912706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-59339959226744966752008-05-28T14:39:00.002-05:002009-06-18T01:14:04.739-05:00James Reese Europe's Descendant Sings Praises Of "James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant"...<em><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">May 14, 2008<br /><br />Hello r2c2h2,<br />I really loved your book about James Reese Europe. The artwork was a tribute and very beautiful too. Your web site is exciting and your artful messages are profound.<br /><br />I did find a bit of information in your book that was factually incorrect and I just wanted to bring that to your attention. Lieutenant James Reese Europe had one son James Reese and five grandchildren, Patricia, Lynn, James R. Jr., Virginia and Theresa. There are nine great-grandchildren, Jared Cotter (American Idol contestant), James Reese IV, Robert Foster (guitarist and cellist), Jason, Jeremy, Jamie, Casey, Jessy and Reese. There are no great great grand children. </span></em><br /><br /><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">My name is Ellen Europe-Gomez and my children are James Reese Europe IV and Robert Foster Europe.<br /><br /></span></em><br /><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Thank you for your interest in a true American hero. We are so proud of this brave and innovative man.<br /></span></em><br /><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><br />Bless you and I wish you continued success in your endeavors.<br />Sincerely,<br />Ellen Europe-Gomez<br /></span></em><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><br />Featured Videos: James Reese Europe's </span></em><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Great-Grandson & American Idol Season 6 Contestant Jared Cotter Taking Up The Family Business...<br /><br /></span></em><em><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QbnaFu6qrkQ&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QbnaFu6qrkQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kfPugohNFc4&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kfPugohNFc4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8gFU_zyBPYo&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8gFU_zyBPYo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></em><em><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><br /></span></em><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/sr=1-4/qid=1145652277/ref=sr_1_4/102-7574687-3469740?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books"><strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Buy The Award Winning James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant</span></strong></a><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049486878220084690" style="cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXAFAp2ejdPLgf9Z6v73712EV08HiEp04yMmex9YcSUFJmnsRiLPxPi1xEDVqBZ4BBj6anVRfaBvTLq1Vl_2zJgBk4PPPtYXoSXuAgj1yTIkn-bn4mK8Q5PNRHq_nDdI6qlpO/s320/james%2520europe.jpg" border="0" /></em></span></p><atomicelement id="ms__id3679"><span style="font-size:85%;"><highlighttext id="ms__id3680"></highlighttext></span></atomicelement><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><em><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">*Named To The Smithsonian Institute's Jazz Books For Kids And Young Adults List*</span> </span></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><em></em></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><em><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 0);">Official Website:</span></span></em></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><em></em><a href="http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com/"><em><span style="font-size:100%;">http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com/</span></em></a></span><atomicelement id="ms__id3636"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXAFAp2ejdPLgf9Z6v73712EV08HiEp04yMmex9YcSUFJmnsRiLPxPi1xEDVqBZ4BBj6anVRfaBvTLq1Vl_2zJgBk4PPPtYXoSXuAgj1yTIkn-bn4mK8Q5PNRHq_nDdI6qlpO/s1600-h/james%20europe.jpg"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><em></em></span></a></atomicelement></span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><em></em><div align="center"><em></em></div></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Buy The Book @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/sr=1-4/qid=1145652277/ref=sr_1_4/102-7574687-3469740?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books">Amazon.com</a></span></em></div></span>tha artivisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061773506155912706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-34222368936521330422007-07-12T15:50:00.007-05:002007-07-12T16:18:57.175-05:00THE HARLEM HELLFIGHTER<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/1600/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.6.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/320/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.6.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><strong>James Reese Europe introduced Americans to the foxtrot, the French to ragtime, and black troops to the trenches of World War I before his tragically early death.<br /><br />BY DAVID LANDER<br /><br />(THIS ARTICLE APPEARS COURTESY OF AMERICAN LEGACY MAGAZINE-FALL 2005 EDITION COPYRIGHTED 2005)<br /><br /><br />IN THE SPRING OF 1914 JAMES Reese Europe was "the busiest man in New York," according to the New York News. The paper reported that he needed three secretaries to keep abreast of all his musical activities. In one week alone, his band played for both Virginia’s governor and President Wilson’s daughter.<br /><br />Europe was born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1880 and moved with his family to Washington, D.C., when he was nine. He ventured farther north, to New York City, shortly after the turn of the century and spent several years there playing mandolin and piano in black musical theater.<br /><br />After about 1910 a shift in popular taste resulted in fewer black theatrical productions. But another form of public entertainment, social dancing, would soon propel society toward the Roaring Twenties, and the fad would mean plenty of work for Jim Europe.<br /><br />Because the musicians’ union didn’t admit blacks, Europe and some friends created their own organizations, the Clef Club, which served them as a booking agency. He was its first president. He already had patrons of his own, since he had been performing at parties given by the Wanamakers, the prominent department-store family, and had become known to the smart set there.<br /><br />His alliance with Vernon and Irene Castle, a white dance duo who were hugely popular in the years before World War I, made him a genuine celebrity. In 1913 he became their bandleader, and Irene’s admiration is evident in her description of his "profound knowledge of music." Jim Europe’s black instrumentalists wore tuxedoes while performing. Unusually for the era, they worked from musical scores, following them so closely that Europe’s associate Eubie Blake quipped, "If a fly lit on that paper he got played." Europe composed dozens of numbers for the Castles, including "Castles’ Half and Half" and "Castle Walk," both named for steps the pair introduced. Vernon credited their most popular invention, the foxtrot, to their bandleader, saying African-Americans had been doing it for years. Europe in turn said it was inspired by the music of W.C. Handy.<br /><br />In 1912, to help raise funds for a Harlem music school, Clef Club members joined the school’s white backers in planning a series of landmark concerts showcasing African-Americans. To lend the first of the concerts prestige, they rented Carnegie Hall, giving them 3,000 seats to fill. Happily, the New York Evening Journal made the May event a must-attend affair. After an advance editorial asserted that "Negroes have given us the only music of our own that is American – national, original and real," a standing-room-only, mixed-race audience poured into the auditorium to hear a black orchestra that included a bank of upright pianos manned by dexterous ragtime players. The school made $5,000 that evening, and the Clef Club’s musicians were invited to play at private parties as far away as London and Paris.<br /><br />Europe married a widow threes years his senior, Willie Angrom Starke, in 1913, but he maintained a previous relationship with Bessie Simms, a dancer a decade younger than he was. She bore his only child, James Reese Europe, Jr., in February 1917, just months after James,Sr., enlisted in the New York National Guard.<br /><br />He joined the newly formed 15th Infantry Regiment (Colored), he explained to his friend and fellow musician Noble Sissle, because "there has never been such an organization of Negro men that will bring together all classes…for a common good." That motivation must have been front-and-center in his mind when, though lacking interest in brassy military music, he agreed to organize a regimental band. By then, he had passed the officer’s exam and was proud to have a machine-gun unit under his command. <br /><br />At the end of 1917, the 15th sailed for France, where it was assigned to noncombat duties. Its white commanding officer, Col. William Hayward, eventually succeeded in getting his black troops, who were forbidden from fighting alongside white American soldiers, transferred to the French army; they were rechristened the 369th Infantry Regiment, but the French soon began to call them the Hellfighters, and with good reason. They fought so effectively that in December 1918 the entire unit received the Croix de Guerre.<br /><br />Europe, his biographer Reid Badger notes, was "the first African-American officer to lead troops into combat in the Great War," and "very likely the first to cross no-man’s land and participate in a raid on the German lines." He served for five months in the trenches and had, as he confided in a letter home, "some miraculous escapes," but in June 1918, Lieutenant Europe and his machine-gun company were bombarded by shells containing poison. Overcome, he was carried to a hospital, where he wrote a tune titled "On Patrol in No Man’s Land." <br /><br />He was reassigned to his band in August, and the musicians electrified one audience after another. In Paris’s Tuileries Gardens, "the crowd, and it was such a crowd as I never saw anywhere else in the world, deserted [top French, British, and Italian military bands] for us," Europe said. "We played to 50,000 people, at least, and, had we wished it, we might be playing yet."<br /><br />The 369th returned home in February 1919. Throngs of New Yorkers, and not only African-Americans, turned out for its victory parade north along Fifth Avenue, toward Harlem, and Europe’s men really swung. One spectator later recalled how he and "hordes" of others poured into the street "behind the 369th and the fantastic sixty-piece band …beating out those rhythms."<br /><br />James Reese Europe remains an all-too-little-known figure given the achievements that Reid Badger chronicles in his biography, A Life In Ragtime. Badger feels Europe’s "reputation suffered…chiefly because, like the era to which he belonged, he was a transitional figure, and like all transitional figures difficult to place."<br /><br />"If I live to come back I will startle the world with my music," Europe said before going off to war. He might have, but he wasn’t allowed the time it would have taken for his driving ragtime style to mature into full fledged jazz. On May 9, 1919, in Boston, near the end of a victory tour for the Hellfighters Band, a crazed young drummer in the group stabbed his lieutenant in the neck. Europe died shortly before midnight. He was 39.<br /><br />In New York, W.C. Handy, three of whose blues compositions Europe had recorded earlier that year, felt a "strange restlessness." He couldn’t sleep, so he spent the night riding the subway. When he emerged from underground, it was daylight, the newspapers were out, and their headlines trumpeted news of James Reese Europe’s death. "Harlem didn’t seem the same," Handy later wrote.<br /><br />David Lander is a frequent contributor to American Legacy magazine. A CD containing all the 1919 recordings of Lieutenant Europe’s 369th Infantry Hellfighters Band is available on the Memphis Archives label. For information, call 800-713-2150, or go to <br /><br />www.insidesounds.com and click on the online catalogue’s jazz link. </strong>C. Herdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00686545341868797504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-45131509133793970772007-07-12T15:50:00.005-05:002007-07-12T16:22:50.968-05:00Fighting on Two Fronts<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/1600/sgtjohnson2nx.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/320/sgtjohnson2nx.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /> <strong>Picture: Sgt. Henry Johnson</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>FIGHTING ON TWO FRONTS<br />National Guard, Feb 2005 by Listman, John W Jr<br />THE GERMANS WEREN'T THE ONLY OBSTACLE FOR NEW YORK'S ALL-BLACK 369TH INFANTRY DURING WORLD WAR I<br /><br />Pvt. Henry Johnson heard Germans cutting wires ahead and told Pvt. Needham Roberts to pass the word as he readied a hand grenade. As he threw it, all hell broke loose. It was May 13, 1918.<br /><br />"Roberts [being wounded] kept handing me grenades and I kept throwing them and the Dutchmen kept squealing but kept comin' on," Private Johnson said in an interview published in History of the American Negro in the Great World War.<br /><br />With no more grenades, Private Johnson grabbed his rifle, but it was jammed so he used it as a club until the butt shattered.<br /><br />"I grabbed my French bolo knife and slashed in a million directions," he said. "There was one guy that bothered me. He climbed on my back and I had some job shaking him off and pitching him over my head. Then I stuck him in the ribs with the bolo. I was still fighting when my crowd came up and saved me."<br /><br />Privates Johnson and Roberts received the French Croix de Guerre (Cross of War) for their actions. Both were members of the New York National Guard's 369th Infantry.<br /><br />The commander of the American expeditionary force, Gen. John Pershing, publicly praised them. Their heroics made newspapers nationwide. But it also brought more. The 369th was a segregated, African-American regiment.<br /><br /><br />"Henry Johnson was this little bitty guy," says Stephen L. Harris, author of Harlem's Hell Fighters: The African-American 369th Infantry in World War I. "At that time there was a lot of lynching going on throughout the South and West, and the black community wanted President [Woodrow] Wilson to speak out against this evil."<br /><br />But President Wilson wouldn't budge.<br /><br />"What the black community needed was a war hero," Harris says. "They got Henry Johnson who repelled this platoon of Germans with a bolo knife."<br /><br />The May 13, 1918, action was the first of many undertaken by the 369th during the war. Its costliest combat came in the Meuse Argonne Offensive, the last great battle of World War I.<br /><br />The battle opened Sept. 26, 1918, with a massive artillery barrage followed by nearly one million Allied soldiers moving across "no man's land" toward German trenches. The Germans responded with what one veteran called "a horrifying exchange of machine gun and artillery fire."<br /><br />The 369th's 1st Battalion captured the village of Sechault, while the other two battalions protected its flanks.<br /><br />Units on both flanks fell back, however, leaving the battalion exposed. Rather than retreat, it dug in and held out against numerous German attempts to retake the village, and did so without food or reinforcement.<br /><br />When the battalion was finally relieved Sept. 29, it had suffered 172 killed and 679 wounded.<br /><br />By the time the 369th returned from France in 1919, it was one of the best known of more than 100 American infantry regiments to see action during the war. But the 369th's beginning wasn't nearly as auspicious.<br /><br />It began in 1913 when the New York state legislature authorized a "colored" National Guard infantry regiment.<br /><br />Its senior officers would be white (following Army policy), with a mixture of white and black company grade officers. All enlisted personnel would be black.<br /><br />Establishment as New York's 15th Infantry Regiment didn't occur, however, until June 29, 1916.<br /><br />Just about the time it finished its organization, the United States entered World War I in April 1917. The 15th had not yet been assigned a higher headquarters, and its commander, Col. William Hayward, tried but failed to have it included with other New York units being organized into the 27th Division.<br /><br />He next attempted to have it included in the 42nd "Rainbow" Division. Composed of Guard units from 26 states and the District of Columbia, it included New York's 69th Infantry. Although the commander of the 42nd refused Colonel Hayward's request saying, "Black is not a color of the rainbow," the 15th was still rather diverse.<br /><br />Colonel Hayward was an attorney. The other white officers as well as the black officers were mostly professional men.<br /><br />Among the black officers was Capt. Napoleon Marshall, an attorney and Harvard graduate. Colonel Hayward himself recruited Lt. James Reese Europe, a Harlem jazz composer who was instructed to create a jazz component in the regimental band.<br /><br />Among the white officers was a Kansas postmaster, 1st. Lt. George Robb.<br /><br />Noble Sissle, a drum major who led his own ragtime orchestra, was brought into the regiment by Lieutenant Europe.<br /><br />Trouble began for them, however, after arriving at Camp Wadsworth, S.C., for training. Captain Marshall was prevented from riding on a "white only" streetcar. Black soldiers were forbidden service in local stores. With tensions high, the Army feared open trouble between the parties, and their fears were well founded.<br /><br />In Brownsville, Texas, in 1906 black soldiers from the Army's 25th Infantry were accused of shooting up the town, killing one man and crippling another. White locals accused black soldiers of attacking a white woman. While officials arrested no one, 167 members of the regiment were discharged.<br /><br />Around the same time, Mr. Harris notes a race riot in East St. Louis where about 100 blacks were slaughtered, so "in the wisdom of the War Department" they decided to send a black New York City regiment to train in the Deep South, he says.<br /><br />In South Carolina, "Jim Europe stopped a bunch of guys from going in and shooting up a hotel, and Hayward went right to Washington and sat down with Newton Baker, secretary of war, and said, 'You've got to get these guys out of here,'" Harris says.<br /><br />The regiment was transferred to Camp Mills, N.Y., and then sent to France as quickly as possible.<br /><br />Army leadership still had no plans to employ black soldiers in combat. However, once African-American soldiers saw the freedom blacks enjoyed in French society, many feared trouble when they returned home to oppressive "Jim Crow" laws. But President Wilson and General Pershing eventually overrode this opposition.<br /><br />The 15th arrived in France on January 1, 1918, and quickly moved into non-combat roles, such as unloading ships and constructing barracks.<br /><br />Furious over their role, Colonel Hayward pushed the Army to change its policy, while black civic leaders pressured the president, General Pershing and the press.<br /><br />The regiment then was redesignated as the 369th Infantry.<br /><br />Finally, with pressure building at home and the French Army desperate for manpower, the Army assigned the 369th, along with three other all-black infantry regiments, to the French.<br /><br />The regiment now was part of the newly organized 93rd Division.<br /><br />Alter moving to the French Training Center at Maffrecourt in May 1918, the French assigned the regiment to its 161st Division in the Argonne sector.<br /><br />The soldiers received French helmets, rifles and accouterments to ease supply problems, but the move also further distanced the regiment from its own country.<br /><br />During its 191 days of enemy contact-more than any other American unit-the 369th never lost ground nor had a man captured.<br /><br />"The thing interesting about them is they had no training," Harris says. "Their only training was eight days in South Carolina, and then [they] went to be stevedores, and then they finally got into the line and the French tried to teach them how to fight."<br /><br />In addition to Privates Johnson and Roberts, the French government awarded dozens the Croix de Guerre.<br /><br />While Lieutenant Robb, the white postmaster from Kansas, received the Medal of Honor for his leadership in the defense of Sechault, the entire 369th Infantry received the Croix de Guerre as a unit decoration for the same action. But no black soldier in the regiment received a U.S. Army decoration for valor.<br /><br />General Pershing designated them the first American unit to cross the Rhine River into Germany as part of the Allied occupation force. Led by the 369th band, the men marched into the Rhineland to find a warm welcome from the German civilians.<br /><br />The regiment sailed home in February 1919 and staged its own victory parade up Fifth Avenue. Nearly a million people, white citizens as well as black, welcomed home the "Hell Fighters"-a name given them by the Germans.<br /><br />By Retired Chief Warrant Officer 2 John W. Listman, Jr.<br /><br />John W. Listman is a retired chief warrant officer 2, a Vietnam Veteran and former Virginia Army Guard command historian.<br /><br />Copyright National Guard Association of the United States Feb 2005<br />Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved</strong>C. Herdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00686545341868797504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-1151349685518377452006-06-26T13:42:00.000-05:002006-07-12T13:02:50.063-05:00Famous musicologist/ musician Dominique-Rene de Lerma agrees with R2C2H2, James Reese Europe was the first to play Carnegie Hall not Duke Ellington...<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(255,102,0)">It is good to see that good things can happen if you are willing to speak out and stand by what you believe!!!</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/1600/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.13.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/320/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.13.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/1600/dominique%20delerma.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/320/dominique%20delerma.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Dominque-Rene de Lerma </span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />June 12, 2006</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Dear Mr. Zick of </span><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" href="http://www.africlassical.com">Africlassical.com</a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">,</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">I would like to thank you and your group of committed colleagues for putting together such a wonderful and informative site..It is important for people in general and Black folk in particular to learn about the other ways that African Americans have contributed to American and World cultures aesthetically speaking...One problem I have with the site is the twofold:</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(204,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italic">1.) The fact that it is stated that Duke Ellington was the first African Band leader to play Carnegie Hall</span><br /><a href="http://chevalierdesaintgeorges.homestead.com/Ellington.html"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(204,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italic">http://chevalierdesaintgeorges.homestead.com/Ellington.html</span></a><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(204,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italic">2.)The fact that Lt. James Europe, one of the most if not the most popular African American musician of his time, is not recognized on this site for his groundbreaking and pioneering work in the field of African American musical heritage which also included being the first African American Bandleader to not only play Carnegie Hall, but also play to an integrated audience no less beating Duke by a good 30 years......</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">What makes his omission even more glaring are the facts that he was a contemporary and collaborator with Harry T. Burleigh and Will Marion Cook (Duke Ellington's important mentor), that he actually along with David Mannes the director of the New York Philharmonic initiated the founding of the Harlem Music School for Black folks, that he started the first widely recognized Black musician union in the country ( The Clef Club), his Clef Club or Europe Society Orchestra was among the first African American bands to ever make a recording, he was also the first Black man to lead troops into battle during World War One while serving in the Harlem Hell fighters or 369th Regiment under the French flag, was the official orchestra leader for the popular society dance team of Irene and Vernon Castle and was the first Black person ever given a public funeral in New York City's history...</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">If you want to learn more about Lt. James Reese Europe and his accomplishment please check out and hopefully buy my book James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant at these following locations:</span><br /><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" href="http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com">www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com</a><br /><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/sr=1-4/qid=1145652277/ref=sr_1_4/002-4071485-4645635?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books">Buy the book James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant</a><br /><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" href="http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=R2C2H2-s-James-Reese-Europe%3A-Jazz-Lieutenant">Images from the book James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant</a><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To learn more about me and the other things that I do please check out these following sites:</span><br /><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" href="http://www.r2c2h2.com">http://www.r2c2h2.com</a><br /><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" href="http://www.soldierboygrip.blogspot.com">http://www.soldierboygrip.blogspot.com</a><br /><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" href="http://www.weallbe.com">http://www.weallbe.com</a><br /><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" href="http://www.thaartivist.blogspot.com">http://www.thaartivist.blogspot.com</a><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Take care and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Artastically yours,</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">R2C2H2 Tha Artivist</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Mr. Zick of AfriClassical.com response concerning Lt. James Reese Europe being the first Black Bandleader to perform at Carnegie Hall:</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)">Dear Mr. Herd,</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)">Many thanks for your favorable remarks, by E-mail and in the Guest Book, on my Website, </span><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)" href="http://www.AfriClassical.com">http://www.AfriClassical.com</a><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)">I regularly receive inquiries on the thousands of composers and musicians of African descent who are not among the mere handful profiled at the Website. Unlike the International Dictionary of Black Composers, published by the Center for Black Music Research, </span><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)" href="http://www.cbmr.org">http://www.cbmr.org</a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)">, </span><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)" href="http://www.AfriClassical.com">AfriClassical.com</a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)"> is not a comprehensive reference source. It is designed to present examples of Black composers and musicians, from different times and places, to students and others who are unfamiliar with African heritage in classical music.</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)">Dominique-René de Lerma is Professor of Music at Lawrence University, and former Director of the Center for Black Music Research. He has been writing on African heritage in classical music for four decades, and kindly allows me to bring inquiries to his attention. His research files are comprehensive and voluminous.</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(204,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italic">Here is the sentence on my Ellington page to which you apparently refer:</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(204,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italic">"In 1943 Ellington became the first African American band leader to perform at New York's legendary Carnegie Hall."</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)">I will review my sources and consult my advisors with respect to your position that James Reese Europe was in fact the first African American bandleader to perform at New York's Carnegie Hall.</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)">It is worth noting that Duke Ellington is included at my site because of his classical works, even though he is better known for jazz. That is the same reason Scott Joplin is profiled at the site.</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)">I know enough about James Reese Europe to agree that his career deserves the attention of contemporary biographers. Although the format of my site is highly selective out of necessity, I am happy to receive the information you have provided, and pleased that I can bring it to the attention of Prof. De Lerma.</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)">Best wishes,</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)">Bill Zick</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)">Webmaster</span><br /><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)" href="http://www.AfriClassical.com">http://www.AfriClassical.com</a><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(102,51,102)">Ann Arbor, MI</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">World famous music composer and educator/advocate Mr. Dominique-Rene de Lerma agrees that R2C2H2 is correct in advocating that Lt. Europe and not Duke Ellington was the first Black bandleader to perform at Carnegie Hall:</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,102,0)">Dear Bill,</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,102,0)">Mr.Herd (R2C2H2) is correct all down the line. Old-timers I knew, such as Eubie Blake and Bill Dawson, swore that if Jim Europe had lived, jazz would have been quite different. They might be wrong, but this suggests how revered Europe was. I do think he was at least as influential on the music of France.</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,102,0)">Your web site continues to attract daily responses -- a very wholesome sign of how important it is!</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,102,0)">Dom</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">After getting verification on this Mr. Zick graciously and swiftly makes corrections on his website <a href="http://www.AfriClassical.com">AfriClassical.com</a> :</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,102)">Hello Dom,</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,102)">Thanks for your prompt verification that Duke Ellington was not the first African American band leader to perform at New York's Carnegie Hall. <span style="COLOR: rgb(204,0,0)">The sentence in question on the Ellington page has been revised to read: </span></span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(204,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italic">"In 1943 Ellington and his band performed at New York's legendary Carnegie Hall."</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,102)">It is true Website inquiries have been received quite frequently in recent months. Your generous research assistance saves me from having to turn away questions and comments I can't answer, and provides welcome enlightenment to me as well as to Website visitors.</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,102)">Mr. Herd's message prompted me to visit some of the Websites which present the life and career of James Reese Europe. How tragic that he was killed by an angry member of his ensemble!</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,102)">Best wishes,</span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,102)">Bill</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">June 13, 2006</span><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Dominique-Rene de Lerma upon visiting my official website for <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant</span>, </span><a style="FONT-STYLE: italic" href="http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com">http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com</a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"> :</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,153)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,0)">Yes, I have visited it. Beautiful! I will cite it among the references in The music of the Black composer.</span></span>tha artivisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061773506155912706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-1146264326654575292006-04-28T17:44:00.001-05:002008-06-13T10:17:56.669-05:00About James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/1600/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.9.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/320/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><em><strong>Help make this important book a universal best seller...Please go to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/sr=1-4/qid=1145652277/ref=sr_1_4/102-7574687-3469740?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books">Amazon.com</a> and/or<br /><a href="http://www.booksurge.com/product.php3?bookID=GPUB01775-00002">Booksurge.com</a> to purchase your copy(s)today.</strong></em><br /><br /><strong>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. </strong><br /><br />Artastically and Jazzlistically yours,<br /><a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);" href="http://www.r2c2h2.com"><strong>R2C2H2</strong></a><a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);" href="http://www.r2c2h2.com"> a.k.a. </a><a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);" href="http://www.r2c2h2.com"><em><strong>THA ARTIVIST</strong></em></a>tha artivisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061773506155912706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-1145656073709640462006-04-21T16:30:00.000-05:002006-06-13T09:59:08.593-05:00The Official R2C2H2 Newsletter:Update on James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant and Support W.E. A.L.L. B.E.<strong>Greetings Family,<br />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:</strong><br /><br /><strong>(A)</strong> As some of you may or may not know <a href="http://www.smithsonianjazz.org/jam/jam_start.asp" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><strong>April is officially designated National Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) by the Smithsonian Institute</strong></a>...</span></strong>In celebration of this month as well as in support of other R2C2H2 activities, <strong>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:<br /><br /></strong><br />1.)<a href="http://www.ther2c2h2.com/" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">THA OFFICIAL R2C2H2 WEBSITE</a><br />2.)<a href="http://wustl.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2005094&l=2826f&id=3111521" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">SOME MORE R2C2H2 ART</a><br />3.)<a href="http://wustl.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2010092&amp;l=78895&id=3111521" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">2PAC ART</a><br /><br /><em><strong>In Order To Pay For art you can use the paypal link below (please specify exactly what you ordered by e-mailing me at </strong></em><a href="mailto:r2c2h2@gmail.com" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><em><strong>r2c2h2@gmail.com</strong></em></a><em><strong>):<br /></strong></em><br /><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick&business=r2c2h2%40gmail%2ecom&no_shipping=0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;no_note=1&tax=0&currency_code=USD&lc=US&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-size:85%;">https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick&business=r2c2h2%40gmail%2ecom&no_shipping=0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;no_note=1&tax=0&currency_code=USD&lc=US&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8</span><br /></a><br /><em><strong>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:<br /></strong></em><br />Ronald Herd II/ R2C2H2<br />P.O. Box 751341<br />Memphis,TN 38175<br /><br /><strong>A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PROCEEDS OF ALL ART AND COPIES OF MY BOOK <a href="http://booksurge.com/product.php3?bookID=GPUB01775-00002&affiliateID=A000997" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><br />JAMES REESE EUROPE: JAZZ LIEUTENANT</a> 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, <em>W.E. A.L.L. B.E.</em></strong><br /><br /><strong>(B) Please Support </strong><strong>New Alternative to Alternative News Organization: W.E. A.L.L. B.E.!!!</strong><br />PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WONDERING WHERE WAS I FOR THE PAST MONTH...WELL I WAS WORKING ON THE LAUNCH OF <em><strong>W.E. A.L.L. B.E.</strong></em> WHICH STANDS FOR <em><strong>(W)ORLD (E)NRICHING (A)CTIVATING (L)IBERATING (L)OVE (B)EAUTIFICATION (E)XPERIENCE</strong></em>...<em><strong>W.E. A.L.L. B.E.</strong></em> 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 <a href="http://www.weallbe.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">http://www.weallbe.blogspot.com/</a> AND SEE HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVE IN ENSURING <em><strong>W.E. A.L.L. B.E.'S</strong> </em><strong>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)</strong><br /><br /><strong>(C) MORE JAMES REESE EUROPE: JAZZ LIEUTENANT NEWS!!!</strong><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/1600/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.10.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/320/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>IT'S OFFICIAL JAMES REESE EUROPE: JAZZ LIEUTENANT IS READABLE AND ENJOYABLE!!!<em><span style="color:#33cc00;">Thanks TO EVERYONE WHO BROUGHT AND ARE GOING TO BUY A COPY OF THIS BOOK!!!<br /></span></em><br /><span style="color:#000000;">BESIDES BEING NAMED TO <em><span style="color:#ff0000;">THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE'S JAZZ BOOKS FOR KIDS AND YOUNG ADULTS RECOMMENDED READING LIST</span></em> </span><span style="color:#3333ff;">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:<br /></span></strong>1.)<a href="http://catalog.wustl.edu/search/aHerd,+Ronald+C./aherd+ronald+c/-2,-1,0,B/frameset&FF=aherd+ronald+c&1,1," target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Washington University (My Alma Mater)<br /></a>2.)<a href="http://hip.richland.lib.sc.us/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=114T2Q73B1599.39644&amp;profile=int&uri=link=3100006~!854228~!3100001~!3100002&aspect=basic_search&menu=search&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;ri=2&source=~!horizon&term=James+Reese+Europe+%3A+jazz+lieutenant+%2F&index=ALLTI#focus" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> Richland County Public Library (The U.S.'s Third Largest Public Library)</a><br />3.)<a href="http://vccslinc.vccs.edu/F/E492LAEA73U21XTNDCY2MS1EQ2377PEE5N1MCSL291EFCRCVBH-01974?func=find-b&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;find_code=WAU&request=ronald+herd&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;adjacent=N&local_base=VCC01PUB" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> Northern Virginia Community College- Annandale Campus</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ejazznews.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5773&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><strong>John Gilbert (Johnny Jazz) recently wrote a great review of the book on E-Jazz News As Well</strong></a> <strong>PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU BUY A COPY OF JAMES REESE EUROPE AT EITHER <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/qid=1144741281/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-7855567-3843134?s=books&v=glance&n=283155" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">AMAZON.COM</a> OR <a href="http://booksurge.com/product.php3?bookID=GPUB01775-00002&affiliateID=A000997" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">BOOKSURGE.COM</a>...</strong><strong>If you want more information concerning James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant please<br /><a href="http://www.jazzlieutenant.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">VISIT THE OFFICIAL JAMES REESE EUROPE: JAZZ LIEUTENANT WEBSITE</a> and <a href="http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=R2C2H2-s-James-Reese-Europe%3A-Jazz-Lieutenant" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><br />CHECK OUT SOME OF THE PICS IN THE BOOK ON R2C2H2'S ART GALLERY AT ALL ABOUT JAZZ.</a></strong><br /><strong>(D)</strong> <strong>FOR MORE R2C2H2 NEWS:</strong><br />Please visit <a href="http://www.soldierboygrip.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Arthur 'Soldier Boy Grip' Taylor Chronicles</a> and <a href="http://www.thaartivist.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" onfiltered="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><br />Tha Artivist Presents</a><br /><em>Artastically yours,</em><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/1600/r2c2h2.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/320/r2c2h2.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>R2C2H2 THA ARTIVIST</strong>tha artivisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061773506155912706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-1145653438033644182006-04-21T15:52:00.000-05:002006-04-21T16:50:41.220-05:00Well Known Jazz Enthusiast John Gilbert: This is a book of historical significance in both jazz, race relations and heroism.<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/1600/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.8.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/320/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.8.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em><strong>This review of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419602454/sr=1-4/qid=1145652277/ref=sr_1_4/102-7574687-3469740?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books">James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant</a> appears courtesy of <a href="http://www.ejazznews.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5773 ">eJazzNews.com</a></strong></em><br /><strong>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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=R2C2H2-s-James-Reese-Europe%3A-Jazz-Lieutenant">This book is illustrated magnificently by R2C2H2 in the folk art genre.</a> <br /><br />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. <br /><br />This is a book of historical significance in both jazz, race relations <br />and heroism.</strong> <br /><br />John Gilbert <br />Visit California Coast Jazz At: <br /><a href="http://community-2.webtv.net/johnnyjazz/johnnyjazzsjazzpage">http://community-2.webtv.net/johnnyjazz/johnnyjazzsjazzpage</a>tha artivisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061773506155912706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-1144717101076432842006-04-10T19:57:00.001-05:002008-07-01T04:07:45.292-05:00What The People Are Saying About R2C2H2's Work<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/1600/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/320/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>1.) [R2C2H2] HAVE OBVIOUSLY ATTAINED A SENSE OF SPIRIT<br />THAT MANY WHO ARE YEARS OLDER THAN [R2C2H2] WOULD<br />COVET.<br />- KWEISI MFUME, FORMER PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE<br />NAACP<br /> ***<br />2.) [R2C2H2] GAVE THEM ELEMENTS OF THEIR JAZZ HISTORY<br />THAT MOST OF THEM WILL NEVER RECEIVE IN CLASSROOMS.<br />[R2C2H2’S] FORMAT WAS VERY WELL ORGANIZED AND CAPTURED<br />THE CHILDREN’S ATTENTION…IT ALSO GAVE THEM THE<br />OPPORTUNITY TO BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF THEIR<br />INDIVIDUAL CREATIVE SPIRIT.<br />- DEBRA MORROWLOVING; LITERARY ARTIST, ARTS EDUCATOR,<br />FOUNDER/DIRECTOR OF SISTER NINETIES LITERARY GROUP<br /> ***<br />3.) MUCH LIKE THE JAZZ MUSIC THAT [R2C2H2] PAYS<br />TRIBUTE TO, HIS ARTWORK IS SPIRITUALLY INFORMED AND<br />SPEAKS TO PEOPLE IN A VERY HUMANE AND DIRECT WAY.<br />[R2C2H2] IS ONE OF THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE THAT<br />I EVER MET, YET HIS ARTWORK IS NOT CLOUDED IN CODES<br />THAT PREVENT THE LAYPERSON FROM UNDERSTANDING IT.<br />NEITHER IS IT SO SIMPLE AS TO BE DISMISSED…THE JOURNEY<br />THROUGH HIS CONSCIOUSNESS TOOK ME TO HISTORICAL AND<br />SPIRITUAL PLACES CARVED OUT THROUGH ABSTRACTLY FORMED<br />RHYTHMIC AND VOLUPTOUS BODIES OF JAZZ MUSICIANS,<br />AFRICAN AMERICAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.<br />- CHANDRA WILLIAMS; VISUAL ARTIST, UNIVERSITY OF MISS.<br />ART MUSEUM EDUCATOR/CURATOR<br /> ***<br />4.) [R2C2H2] HAS THE ABILITY TO NOT ONLY SURVIVE, BUT<br />TO POSSIBLY EVEN THRIVE.<br />- JEFF DANIEL, VISUAL ART CRITIC FOR THE ST. LOUIS<br />POST DISPATCH<br /> ***<br />5.) [R2C2H2] HAS CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED SKILLS AND<br />ABILITIES THAT EXCEL WITHIN THE STUDIO ENVIRONMENT AND<br />BEYOND. A HUMANIST WITH A PEN – A PROMOTER WITH A<br />LARGER PURPOSE – [R2C2H2] IS AN ARTIST WHO WILL HAVE<br />AN IMPACT, AN ARTIST WHO WILL CHALLENGE AND WHO WILL<br />REWARD THOSE WHO ACCEPT HIS CHALLENGES.<br />- JEFF PIKE; DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF ART, WASHINGTON<br />UNIVERSITY (ST. LOUIS)<br /> ***<br />6.) [R2C2H2] HAS A LOVE FOR LIFE AND A LOVE FOR PEOPLE<br />THAT BLEEDS OVER INTO HIS ART…AS A MULTI-FACETED AND<br />MULTI-TALENTED ARTIST, [R2C2H2] HAS RISEN TO THE RANKS<br />OF ONE OF THE NATION’S MOST PROMISING VOICES. HIS ART<br />SPEAKS OF LEGACY, MATURITY AND HOPE. THROUGH HIS ART,<br />[R2C2H2] CAPTURES THE DEPTH OF JACOB LAWRENCE, THE<br />CREATIVE INNOVATION OF CHARLIE PARKER, THE SINCERITY<br />OF RALPH ELLISON, THE SPIRITUALITY OF JOHN COLTRANE<br />AND THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC COMMENTARY OF<br />TUPAC SHAKUR.<br />- DR. EMMETT PRICE III; MUSICIAN AND PROFESSOR OF<br />MUSIC AND AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES AT NORTHEASTERN<br />UNIVERSITY OF BOSTON<br /> ***<br /> <br />7.) [R2C2H2] HAS DEVELOPED A VERY PERSONAL STYLE OF<br />PAINTING AND DRAWING...HE HAS EXPANDED HIS KNOWLEDGE<br />OF BLACK HISTORY, JAZZ, GOSPEL MUSIC, AFRICAN<br />ART…USING ALL THE ELEMENTS HE GATHERS FROM EXPERIENCE<br />AND STUDY HE SYNTHESIZES HIS IMAGES, REAL AND<br />DREAMLIKE, INTO LARGE SCALE WORKS FILLED WITH LINE AND<br />COLOR. THEY ARE IN VOCATIVE MESSAGES WHICH CAN BE<br />SEEN OVER AND OVER, EACH TIME PRESENTING NEW THOUGHTS<br />AND QUESTIONS FOR THE VIEWER. HE DOES NOT SHY AWAY<br />FROM PRESENTING THE TRUTH IN HISTORY, SO THERE ARE<br />PASSAGES WHICH ECHO THE TRAGEDY AND VIOLENCE OF THE<br />AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE…THAT YOUNG MAN IS GOING<br />PLACES.<br />- GEORGIA BINNINGTON;ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR<br /> STUDENT SERVICES FOR THE SCHOOL OF ART AT <br /> WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (ST. LOUIS)<br /> ***<br />8.)NOT ONLY THROUGH HIS SCHOLARSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO<br />ARTISTIC PERFECTION, BUT ALSO IN HIS UNWAVERING<br />COMMITMENT TO ENHANCING OTHERS' UNDERSTANDINGS OF THE<br />HUMAN EXPERIENCE, [R2C2H2] HAS DEMONSTRATED THE<br />HIGHEST OF PROFESSIONAL VALUES AND EXCELLENCES. HIS<br />WORK OCCUPIES A UNIQUE PLACE IN EARLY 21st CENTURY<br />REPRESENTATIONS OF JAZZ AND EMOTION. I COMMEND HIM<br />FOR MAKING A TRUE CONTRIBUTION TO THE ARTISTIC WORLD.<br />- NATHANIEL CRIS GUALBERTO; SCHOLAR, PHILOSOPHER AND<br />HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST<br /> <br /> ***<br />9.)[R2C2H2'S]WORK IS VERY MOVING, IT'S DETAILED, IT'S<br />VERY INSPIRATIONAL...IT SPEAKS TO THE SOUL OF VIEWERS<br />WHO HAVE PASSION ABOUT ART, ABOUT LIFE AND ABOUT<br />PEOPLE IN GENERAL.<br /> - FRIEDA WHEATON, ARTS ADVOCATE AND<br />BOARD MEMBER OF THE ST. LOUIS ART MUSEUM<br /> ***<br />10.)AGAIN, THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING JAMES REESE<br />EUROPE: JAZZ LIEUTENANT. I REALLY LIKE IT. I WILL<br />ALSO RECOMMEND IT TO TEACHERS AS A RESOURCE FOR THEIR<br />OWN INFORMATION.<br /> - LOIS KIPNIS, THE DIRECTOR OF ARTS<br />EDUCATION AT THE FRIENDS OF THE ART S FOUNDATION</strong>tha artivisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061773506155912706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-1141294828019009282006-03-02T04:15:00.000-06:002006-03-08T16:50:27.010-06:00R2C2H2'S RESPONSE TO THE HARLEM HELLFIGHTER ARTICLE AND THE AMERICAN LEGACY EDITOR'S REPLY TO R2C2H2'S RESPONSE<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/1600/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/320/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.7.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><strong>THIS IS A LETTER I WROTE WEDNESDAY MORNING (9/7/05) CONCERNING AN ARTICLE THE AMERICAN LEGACY MAGAZINE JUST DID ABOUT JAMES REESE EUROPE...THIS IS WHAT THE EDITOR OF THE MAGAZINE HAD TO SAY ABOUT IT, NORMALLY SHE ISN'T GOOD AT RESPONDING TO MY E-MAIL, BUT SHE RESPONDED TO ME THIS MORNING!!!<br />TAKE CARE<br />R2C2H2<br />P.S. YOU CAN ALSO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF R2C2H2'S BOOK, JAMES REESE EUROPE: JAZZ LIEUTENANT BY SENDING A $20 CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:R2C2H2/ RONALD HERD IIP.O. BOX 751341MEMPHIS,TN 38175TO PURCHASE A COPY ONLINE PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1419602454/qid=1126291159/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6383721-9468812?v=glance&s=books&n=507846"><strong>Amazon Book Purchase</strong></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.booksurge.com/product.php3?bookID=GPUB01775-00002"><strong>James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant</strong></a><br /><br />Note: forwarded message attached.<br /><br /><br />website address: <a href="http://www.ther2c2h2.com/r2c2h2.html">http://www.ther2c2h2.com/r2c2h2.html</a><br /><br />__________________________________________________<br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />Subject: RE: MY RESPONSE TO THE JAMES REESE EUROPE PATHFINDERS ARTICLE <br />Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2005 10:46:52 -0400 <br />From: "Peterson, Audrey" <br />To: "ronald herd ii" rcherdii@yahoo.com <br /><br />Thanks for your letter. Unfortunately, the Pathfinder articles are typically pretty short,else we could have fit much more about Mr.Europe,but thank you for filling us<br />in!<br />Best wishes,<br />Audrey Peterson, Editor<br /><br />----------<br />From:ronald herd ii<br />Sent:Wednesday, September 7, 2005 3:06 AM<br />To:Peterson, Audrey<br />Subject:MY RESPONSE TO THE JAMES REESE EUROPE PATHFINDERS ARTICLE<br /> <br />DEAR AMERICAN LEGACY MAGAZINE,<br />THANKS FOR THE ARTICLE...I WISHED THAT THE ARTICLE HAD MORE,HIS ACHIEVEMENTS DESERVED MORE RECOGNITION THAN CAN BE PUT IN JUST TWO PAGES...MR.LANDER DID NOT EVEN<br />MENTIONED THAT JAMES REESE EUROPE WAS GIVEN THE FIRST PUBLIC FUNERAL FOR A BLACK PERSON IN NEW YORK CITY HISTORY,HAS A LEGION POST (JAMES REESE EUROPE LEGION<br />POST 5)NAMED IN HIS HONOR IN HIS HOMETOWN OF WASHINGTON,D.C....RECRUITED REED PLAYERS FROM PUERTO RICO FOR HIS HARLEM HELLFIGHTERS MILITARY BAND,OR THAT<br />HIS GROUP WAS THE FIRST BLACK MUSIC GROUP TO RECORD A MUSIC RECORD...HE DID NOT EVEN TALKED ABOUT HOW EUROPE WAS AN INSPIRATION FOR THE GREAT GEORGE GERSHWIN WHO<br />WHEN HE WAS 7 YEARS OLD USED TO LISTEN TO A YOUNG EUROPE PLAY PIANO AT BARON WILKINS NIGHTCLUB IN HARLEM WHILE SITTING OUTSIDE ON A CURB,OR HIS INFLUENCE ON THE GREAT BLACK MUSICIANS WILL MARION COOK(ANOTHER D.C. NATIVE) AND WILLIE 'THE LION' SMITH<br />(A MEMBER OF THE HARLEM HELLFIGHTERS) WHO WOULD LATER BECOME IMPORTANT MENTORS TO THE INCOMPARABLE DUKE ELLINGTON (A D.C. NATIVE)...I HAVE JUST WRITTEN,<br />ILLUSTRATED AND PUBLISHED A BOOK ABOUT EUROPE ENTITLED JAMES REESE EUROPE: JAZZ LIEUTENANT BY R2C2H2 WHICH WAS RECENTLY NAMED TO THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE'S JAZZ<br />BOOKS FOR KIDS AND YOUNG ADULTS LIST...PEOPLE CAN PURCHASE A COPY FROM <a href="HTTP://WWW.AMAZON.COM">HTTP://WWW.AMAZON.COM</a> ...YOU CAN ALSO VISIT MY WEBSITE AT <a href="http://www.ther2c2h2.com/r2c2h2.html">HTTP://WWW.THER2C2H2.COM</a> TO FIND OUT MORE INFO ON THE BOOK AND OTHER BLACK HISTORY<br />RELATED PROJECTS I AM WORKING ON!!!<br />JAZZLISTICALLY YOURS,<br />R2C2H2 a.k.a. Ron Herd II<br />Memphis,Tn<br />rcherdii@yahoo.com</strong>tha artivisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061773506155912706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-1141292196535753712006-03-02T03:33:00.001-06:002010-01-02T11:12:36.535-06:00Tisha St. Clair of Sister Nineties Literary Magazine Believes Jazz Lieutenant Is An Important Tool In Teaching Our Youth About Our Rich Heritage!!!<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/1600/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/320/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>TISHA ST. CLAIR REVIEWS<br />James Reese Europe Jazz Lieutenant<br />by R2C2H2<br />BookSurge, LLC, © 2005<br />ISBN: 1-4196-0245-4 (paper)<br />75 pages, $ US paperback<br />orders@booksurge.com<br />www.booksurge.com<br /><br />R2C2H2’s book about the life of James Reese Europe was an informative and delightful read. Not only was he the author, but also the brilliant illustrator. R2C2H2 used his drawings to punctuate the story of Europe’s life. Especially haunting was the picture entitled “Welcome to Spartanburg, South Carolina!!!” R2C2H2’s words told of the harsh treatment of Europe and his band, but the picture truly shows the ugliness of racism, prejudice and segregation. R2C2H2 captures the loathing and hate in the eyes of the white southerners.<br /><br />R2C2H2 includes many of the ground-breaking achievements of James Reese Europe, and the composers and musicians that benefited from his hard work. One of Europe’s crowning achievements, prior to World War I, was creation The Clef Club, the first black musician’s union and booking agency. This agency was responsible for getting black musicians the same or sometimes better pay than their white counter-parts, and ensuring they would be treated as professionals rather than traveling minstrels. During WWI Europe served as the commanding officer of the 15th Regiment Band. The band was well received in France. Europe and his men also became fierce soldiers, despite a lack of training from the United States Army.<br /><br />They were awarded numerous medals from the French government during the war.<br /><br />Some of Europe’s other achievements included working with Eubie Blake, Vernon and Irene Castle; performing at Carnegie Hall; establishing a music school for aspiring black musicians; and re-establishing the black musical theater art form. I really don’t want to tell you much more, because you really need to read all about it yourself.<br /><br />Through this book, R2C2H2 introduced me to James Reese Europe, a visionary and pioneer. Any primary school aged child could benefit from reading this book. It shows how a person can overcome obstacles to achieve his goals. Any lover of jazz would find this book enlightening and may prompt them to search for some new (old) music for their collection. Any admirer of R2C2H2’s work would be please to have a gallery of his drawings at their fingertips.</strong>tha artivisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061773506155912706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23276749.post-1141291916622326662006-03-02T03:29:00.000-06:002006-03-02T03:31:56.623-06:00Well Known Musicologist Dr. Price Sings Jazz Lieutenant's Praises!!!<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/1600/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5847/2262/320/james%20reese%20europe%20cover.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><strong>This exemplary combination of biography, chronicle and illustrations of one of "our" great forgotten heroes is perhaps one of the most innovative publications in recent years. The product of meticulous research, strategic assembly and an obvious intimate connection to the life, deeds and legacy of James Reese Europe, R2C2H2 has taken art and scholarship to a place not visited since the days of Duke Ellington, Mary Lou Williams, John Coltrane and most recently Tupac Shakur. I am humble enough to say I learned a great deal from the wealth of research and the rich perspective that [R2C2H2] offers. I really enjoyed learning about sister Mary Europe, I had no idea of that connection nor of her greatness!!! R2C2H2, through his unique aesthetic and independent voice has given us a history lesson in a fashion that no historian could do. Through this book we feel, experience and see the struggles that Lieutenant Europe faced, reveling in his victories while lamenting in his untimely and unfortunate demise. Yet, because of R2C2H2's ability to tell the story that needs to be told, Lieutenant Europe lives. The art adds another dimension as it personalizes [R2C2H2’s] intimate connection with "the jazz lieutenant" offering more than just a book, more than just a pictorial biography, but a magnus opus!!! This is a monumental achievement that is only surpassed by its ability to captivate the reader from cover to cover in a mysterious yet historically correct realm of the past. The book is wonderful, my only regret is that I was unable to unpack it and dive into it when it first arrived... but I was greatly pleased!!!<br /><br />Emmett G. Price III, Ph.D.<br /> Assistant Professor of Music and African-American Studies <br />Northeastern University <br />351 Ryder Hall <br />Boston, MA 02115-5000 <br />(617) 373-7700 office <br />(617) 373-4129 fax <br />e.price@neu.edu </strong>tha artivisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13061773506155912706noreply@blogger.com0