New Research Guide: James Reese Europe Resources at the Library of Congress

The Music Division’s newest research guide, James Reese Europe: A Guide to Resources at the Library of Congress, provides a gateway to accessing historic sheet music, unique literary manuscripts, newspaper archives, recordings, photographs and scholarly research by and related to leading cultural figure James Reese Europe (1881-1919). A renowned musician, composer, arranger, music director and union organizer, Europe’s legacy extends far beyond his musical triumphs on the Broadway stage, in Carnegie Hall, or in wartime France. He was dedicated to showcasing the outstanding contributions of Black Americans in myriad ways: in founding the Clef Club of the City of New York to support and promote the employment of Black artists, in working toward a national African American orchestra dedicated to the performance of Black composers, and in building one of the most notable bands in the history of the United States Army: the 369^th Infantry Regimental Band (the “Harlem Hellfighters”).

Lt. James R. Europe leading the Hellfighters Band outside of a Paris hospital, 1918. United States Army Signal Corps, photographer. Prints & Photographs Division, Library of Congress.

One of the inspirations for this research guide was the longtime and increasing interest researchers have shown in two literary manuscripts by Noble Sissle. Sissle, jazz composer and vocalist perhaps best known for writing the 1921 musical revue “Shuffle Along” with Eubie Blake, was a close musical associate of James Reese Europe. When Europe enlisted in the 15th Regiment of the New York National Guard he successfully encouraged Sissle to join as well; ultimately, Sissle assisted Europe in organizing his famous “Harlem Hellfighters” Band.

The Library of Congress holds two notable typescript manuscripts by Sissle:

1) “Memoirs of ‘Jim’ Europe,” a 1942 biographical sketch of Europe based on information collected from Europe’s family and friends, as well as Sissle’s personal anecdotes. This typescript manuscript is held in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Records in the Library’s Manuscript Division. A photocopy of this manuscript is digitized and available on loc.gov.

2) “Happy in Hell,” a 1944 account of Sissle’s experiences serving with Europe in the 369^th Infantry Regiment. This typescript manuscript, cataloged under the call number ML410.E87 S5 1940, is newly digitized and now fully available for download on loc.gov. A photocopy of this manuscript is found in the Music Division’s Joint Army and Navy Committee on Welfare and Recreation, Sub-Committee on Music Papers.

Researchers have long confused these two resources, but this new research guide clarifies our holdings and directly connects you with the digitized Sissle manuscripts. Additionally, the guide highlights digitized sheet music, sound recordings, and even videos of the “Castle House Rag” and “The Castle Walk,” Vernon and Irene Castle’s famous dance steps inspired by Europe’s unique dance music. Beyond digital resources, our new research guide describes important secondary literature, newspaper archive research and the handful of appearances Europe makes in the Library’s special collections.

→ Read the entire article on the LOC website here:

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