Celebrity Graveland

February 7, 1887 – February 12, 1983

Jazz and ragtime pianist/composer, James Hubert “Eubie” Blake was, by all accounts, a naturally-gifted musician. He first exhibited his talent at a random music store organ at the age of five. In a career that spanned nearly 70 years, Blake wrote for vaudeville, Broadway, film and television. His hit songs such as “I’m Just Wild About Harry” and “Charleston Rag” became mainstays in popular music. He wrote the music for the 1921 Broadway musical Shuffle Along, which is notable as one of the first musicals written by, about and for the Black community. Some 50 years later, the musical Eubie! was produced featuring a vast catalog of his music. Toward the end of his life, Blake was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and, to my knowledge, is the only person to ever appear on the vaudeville stage AND Saturday Night Live.

Burial

Cypress Hills Cemetery – Brooklyn, NY

Specific Location

Section 11, St. Phillips; At the “T” intersection of Highland Way and Jennings Place.

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