James “Eubie” Blake
February 7, 1887 – February 12, 1983
Eubie Blake was a jazz pianist and songwriter who is most closely associated with the golden age of ragtime jazz. Many of his compositions, such as “I’m Just Wild About Harry,” “Charleston Rag,” and “Memories of You” have become standards. In 1921, Shuffle Along, a musical he co-wrote, became one of the first Broadway shows that was written and directed by African-Americans. Blake continued to work well into his later life and was a regular guest on the Johnny Carson and Merv Griffin shows. Eubie Blake was 96 years old when he passed away on February 12, 1983.
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