Dewey Edition21
Reviews[A] heartwarming pictorial and narrative history....The book's brilliance is in its kaleidoscopic display of a rare treasury of old photographs and poster, interspersed with illuminating quotes from Sissle and Blake ....This book exuberantly revives a lost period of theatrical history., The authors gathered these recollections directly from two fascinating subjects; in fact, much of the story is told in the musicians' own words....This volume is one of the more substantial contributions to the study of black musical heritage.
Dewey Decimal782.1/4/092273 B
SynopsisBased on extensive interviews, this illustrated text recounts the lives and music of ragtime pianist-composer Eubie Blake and his partner for 57 years, singer, lyricist and bandleader Noble Sissle., Based on extensive interviews, Reminiscing with Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake recounts the lives and music of singer-lyricist-band leader Noble Sissle (1889-1975) and ragtime-composer Eubie Blake (1883-1983).Their 57-year partnership began in 1915, when Broadway beckoned with a wealth of opportunity:thriving theater companies performed vaudeville, revue, musical comedy, and operetta to enthusiastic audiences. This book captures all the optimism and vibrancy of early twentieth-century black performers and musicians. In 1921, Sissle and Blake's breakthrough musical, Shuffle Along brought authentic ragtime and jazz dancing to the Broadway for the first time---a combination that opened up new avenues in musical theater for black and white performers alike. Richly illustrated with a rare collection of photographs, theater posters, playbills, sheet music, and reviews, Reminiscing with Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake recreates an unforgettable era in musical theater., Based on extensive interviews, this beautifully illustrated book recounts the lives and music of ragtime pianist-composer Eubie Blake and his partner for 57 years, singer, lyricist and bandleader Noble Sissle.