Eubie Blake

Eubie Blake (born James Hubert Blake; February 7, 1887 - February 12, 1983) was an American musician who was a major contributor to ragtime and early jazz music and culture. Blake began his musical journey at age four playing a pump organ. At fifteen, he became a professional musician playing ragtime songs in a brothel. In 1905, he moved to New York City, where he asked Will Cook to assist him in promoting his first song, “Sounds of Africa.” When a buyer offered $100, Blake was elevated to the status of a professional songwriter. Although negotiations between Blake and the buyer ended without a sale, the song was later renamed ‘The Charleston Rag.”

Blake returned to Baltimore where he performed with C. Luckeyeth Roberts and James Johnson. In 1910, he married Avis Lee, a classical pianist. Four years later he published his first song, “Chevy Chase.” In 1915, he met his longtime song writing partner, Noble Sissle, with whom he wrote a hit song for singer Sophie Tucker, “It’s All Your Fault.”