Toward the end of WWI in 1918, Lieutenant James Reece Europe’s regimental band of the 369th Infantry Regiment (the “Harlem Hellfighters”) toured France, playing countless concerts to new fans of their music – which was influenced by ragtime and itself was to become influential on the development of jazz music.
Returning to the United States in early 1919, Europe’s band recorded twenty-four sides for Pathé Records – including this one – and embarked on a tour of American cities.
Though Europe was a composer himself and co-wrote many compositions with Ford Dabney, “Missouri Blues” was composed by Polish-born Harry Finkelstein (using the pseudonym “Harry Brown”), who was the seventh unofficial member of the Canadian saxophone sextet and ragtime-influenced circus troupe Six Brown Brothers.
Tragically, only two days after “Missouri Blues” was recorded, Europe was stabbed in the neck by Herbert Wright, a drummer in the band who he had an argument with during intermission of a concert in Boston. He was taken to the hospital and died shortly thereafter.
After his death, he was given a public funeral in New York City. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Recorded in New York City on May 7, 1919.
Released as Pathé 22147 (vertical cut).