Memories of Eubie

The most visible aspects of Eubie Blake’s unique career were in two discrete stages: first as a songwriter, later as a pianist.

Jazz musicians have recorded Blake’s “Memories of You” over 700 times. Those lyrics are by Andy Razaf; before that, Blake’s partner was lyricist/singer Noble Sissle, with whom he created the groundbreaking 1921 musical . James Weldon Johnson said that “legitimized the African-American musical,” while Langston Hughes credited the show as the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance. Its biggest hit, “I’m Just Wild About Harry,” would go on to be a familiar piece of Americana and the theme song