Blake, Eubie. (1887–1983) . "Hit the Road" and "Memories of You", Autograph Musical Manuscripts.
Autograph musical manuscripts of two songs by the legendary American ragtime pianist and composer, both to texts by Andy Razaf (1895–1943). No dates.
"Hit the Road," fair copy of the song in ink, in F minor/major. Six pages, two bifolia of twelve-stave music paper of King Brand, New York, No. M-1, glued together (middle leaf actually consists of two leaves). Some autograph paste overs to vocal part on p. 2. 12.5 x 9.5 inches (32 x 24.5 cm). With punch holes for ring binding; else in fine condition.
"Memories of You," complete draft of the song in pencil in E-flat major (composer's note to the head of the first system, "This is a transposition—E.B."), with headers in teal ink, and incomplete fair copy all in black ink, in the same key. Draft: five pages (staves on final page left blank); twelve-stave music paper of King Brand, New York, No. M-1; inner leaf professionally connected to the outer bifolium by paper tape. Fair copy: 1 page, written on final page of bifolium; paper of same format but without brand; content and layout of the music identical with first page of draft. 12.5 x 9.5 inches (32 x 24.5 cm). In fine condition.
"Memories of You" is one of Blake's best known songs. First performed by Minto Cato in the Broadway show Leslie's Blackbirds of 1930, Louis Armstrong recorded it in the same year, and numerous greats of jazz and even other genres covered it later, including Benny Goodman (1939 and 1955), Art Tatum (1953), Judy Garland (1956), Thelonious Monk (1956 and 1964), Charles Mingus (1957), Frank Sinatra (1961), Ella Fitzgerald (1964), Jessica Williams (2002) and Fred Hersch (2010); Blake himself recorded the song in a version for piano solo in 1972.
"Hit the Road" is also counted among Blake's most remarkable songs. Written in 1940, it blends stride piano with the boogie-woogie of the big band era.
"A ragtime revival in the 1950s focussed attention on Blake as the nation's foremost rag pianist and launched him on a new career as a touring player and lecturer. He returned to recording in 1969. Blake became a legendary figure, constantly performing on television and at jazz festivals in the USA and abroad. He received awards from the music and theatre industries and from civic and professional organizations; he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1981) and numerous honorary degrees. Blake's music is distinguished by an enormous diversity, reflecting tastes in popular music in the early and middle decades of the 20th century. Many of his more than 300 songs are infused with the syncopated ragtime rhythms that swept Tin Pan Alley between 1900 and 1920." (Eileen Southern and John Graziano in Grove Music Online)
Blake, Eubie. (1887–1983) . "Hit the Road" and "Memories of You", Autograph Musical Manuscripts.
Autograph musical manuscripts of two songs by the legendary American ragtime pianist and composer, both to texts by Andy Razaf (1895–1943). No dates.
"Hit the Road," fair copy of the song in ink, in F minor/major. Six pages, two bifolia of twelve-stave music paper of King Brand, New York, No. M-1, glued together (middle leaf actually consists of two leaves). Some autograph paste overs to vocal part on p. 2. 12.5 x 9.5 inches (32 x 24.5 cm). With punch holes for ring binding; else in fine condition.
"Memories of You," complete draft of the song in pencil in E-flat major (composer's note to the head of the first system, "This is a transposition—E.B."), with headers in teal ink, and incomplete fair copy all in black ink, in the same key. Draft: five pages (staves on final page left blank); twelve-stave music paper of King Brand, New York, No. M-1; inner leaf professionally connected to the outer bifolium by paper tape. Fair copy: 1 page, written on final page of bifolium; paper of same format but without brand; content and layout of the music identical with first page of draft. 12.5 x 9.5 inches (32 x 24.5 cm). In fine condition.
"Memories of You" is one of Blake's best known songs. First performed by Minto Cato in the Broadway show Leslie's Blackbirds of 1930, Louis Armstrong recorded it in the same year, and numerous greats of jazz and even other genres covered it later, including Benny Goodman (1939 and 1955), Art Tatum (1953), Judy Garland (1956), Thelonious Monk (1956 and 1964), Charles Mingus (1957), Frank Sinatra (1961), Ella Fitzgerald (1964), Jessica Williams (2002) and Fred Hersch (2010); Blake himself recorded the song in a version for piano solo in 1972.
"Hit the Road" is also counted among Blake's most remarkable songs. Written in 1940, it blends stride piano with the boogie-woogie of the big band era.
"A ragtime revival in the 1950s focussed attention on Blake as the nation's foremost rag pianist and launched him on a new career as a touring player and lecturer. He returned to recording in 1969. Blake became a legendary figure, constantly performing on television and at jazz festivals in the USA and abroad. He received awards from the music and theatre industries and from civic and professional organizations; he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1981) and numerous honorary degrees. Blake's music is distinguished by an enormous diversity, reflecting tastes in popular music in the early and middle decades of the 20th century. Many of his more than 300 songs are infused with the syncopated ragtime rhythms that swept Tin Pan Alley between 1900 and 1920." (Eileen Southern and John Graziano in Grove Music Online)