The Music of James Reese Europe Friday, April 19, 2013
James Reese Europe 
was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1880. Although he only lived to age 39, he became an accomplished orchestra conductor, band leader, and a successful composer of popular songs, marches, and dance music. He was a key figure in the evolution of orchestral ragtime into jazz. Some of Europe’s works are still performed today by ragtime pianists and military bands. Following a concert at Carnegie Hall on March 11, 1914, the New York “Evening Post” described Europe as “one of the most remarkable of men, not only of his race, but in the music world of this country.”
James Reese Europe was an effective champion of African-American musicians and performers in all idioms, and helped to gain acceptance for them in the USA and abroad. This collection of sheet music, “The Music of James Reese Europe“, is important because the works within it show Europe’s skill, imagination and versatility in his composing. It is a valuable resource for early pop, ragtime and dance music. For more information about this or other collections of music, please contact us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website at www.stantons.com. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!