- Aliases
-
Lieut. Jim Europe's Singing Serenaders
Lt. Jim Europe's 369th Infantry "Hell Fighters" Band
Lt. Jim Europe's 369th U.S. Inf. ("Hell Fighters") Band
- Real name
- James Reese Europe
- Born
- February 22, 1881
- Died
- May 9, 1919
- Country
- United States
- IPI
-
00815739027 1 work
- Comments
- Europe was a ragtime and jazz bandleader and composer in New York City in the 1910s. Europe obtained a commission as a lieutenant during World War I with the 369th Infantry Regiment, that became known known as the "Harlem Hellfighters". Europe joined the regiment with fellow musician Noble Sissle who was also commissioned as a lieutenant. After seeing combat, he became the leader of the regimental band. Ironically, Europe died shortly after the war was over when, during an intermission in a performance in Boston, Herbert Wright, a drummer in the band, became enraged by Europe's criticism, and Wright stabbed him in the neck with a pen knife - a wound from which Europe died. Reese had a public funeral in New York City - the first time an African American was ever so honored by the city. He was buried with full honors at the Arlington National Cemetery.
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