Autograph Letter

Autograph letter from the American composer, lyricist, and pianist, the author of the 1921 Braodway musical Shuffle Along and a composer in every genre from ragtime to contemporary Broadway musicals. August 4, 1977. Writing to an assistant professor at the Eastman School of Music, Blake reminisces about his last performance there: "I played the Eastman School Music Theatre in 1919 - Sissle and Blake. We were there July 27th 1919. While we were there my mother died. And shall never forget that date. Paul Whiteman was in my Dressing Room, when [my] partner Noble Sissle came in a [sic] handed me a telegram with the star on it. I knew my mother had passed in Baltimore. When I told Paul my mother has passed he said to me The Show Goes Just the Same. That is an old saying with the Showmen: the show goes on just the same. Sincerely, Eubie Blake." A touching letter from the important jazz composer, then aged 90, who earned his greatest fame by reviving the ragtime genre in the 1970's. Penned in black ink on his ASCAP letterhead, with two holograph corrections in red ink. 8.5 x 11 inches (21.5 x 28 cm). (15623)

---

Autograph Letter

Jazz

Song

• Sold