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35-417: Short also championed African-American composers of the same period such as Eubie Blake , James P. Johnson , Andy Razaf , Fats Waller , Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn , presenting their work not in a polemical way, but as simply the obvious equal of that of their white contemporaries. Short's dedication to his great love – what he called the "Great American Song" – left him equally adept at performing

70-608: A 25-song set that was released on DVD in 2004 as Bobby Short at the Cafe Carlyle . In 1981, he made a cameo appearance on The Love Boat in a two-part episode. In 1985, he sang part of the opening theme for the NBC television show Misfits of Science . Short continued working in films when, in 1986, he appeared in the Woody Allen film Hannah and Her Sisters . Allen used Short's recording of " I Happen to Like New York " for

105-479: A Way". Rudolf Fisher insisted that Shuffle Along "had ruined his favorite places of African-American sociability in Harlem" due to the influx of white patrons. Its reliance on "stereotypical black stage humor" and "the primitivist conventions of cabaret," in the words of Thomas Brothers, made the show a hit, running for 504 performances with three years of national tours. Blake made his first recordings in 1917, for

140-531: A chauffeur-driven car he hired. They met around 1895, when they attended Primary School No. 2 at 200 East Street in Baltimore. In 1910, Blake brought his bride to Atlantic City, New Jersey , where he had already found employment at the Boathouse nightclub. In 1938, Avis was diagnosed with tuberculosis . She died later that year, at the age of 58. Of his loss, Blake said, "In my life I never knew what it

175-662: A friend why he hadn't taken part in any of the gay pride marches of the '70s and '80s, Short's response was, "I have a living to make! I can't afford to march in the Gay Pride Parade." On March 21, 2005, Short died of leukemia at New York Presbyterian Hospital . He is buried in Atherton Cemetery in Danville, Illinois, the city of his birth. With Benny Carter Eubie Blake James Hubert " Eubie " Blake (February 7, 1887 – February 12, 1983)

210-668: A meeting of the Regents and Trustees. The Lincoln Academy also presents the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement award to one graduating senior from each four-year college or university in the state, as well as one student from a community college. Each student, nominated by his/her respective institution, is named a Student Laureate and receives the Lincoln Medal, a certificate of merit, and a civic engagement monetary award. Student Laureates are chosen by

245-843: A representative of the Illinois Community College Board . The ten Rectors trustees, represent each of the ten categories in which the award is given. The Lincoln Academy elects several Laureates annually to the Order of Lincoln, the highest award given by the State of Illinois. The award is presented at a ceremony presided over by the President of the Academy (the Governor of Illinois). The ceremony rotates every three years between Springfield , Chicago, and other areas of

280-515: A week. When Blake was seven, he received music lessons from a neighbor, Margaret Marshall, an organist for the Methodist church. At age 15, without his parents' knowledge, he began playing piano at Aggie Shelton's Baltimore bordello. Blake gained his first big break in the music business in 1907, when world champion boxer Joe Gans hired him to play the piano at Gans's Goldfield Hotel, the first " black and tan club " in Baltimore. Blake played at

315-762: Is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to recognizing contributions made by living Illinoisans. Named for Abraham Lincoln , the Academy administers the Order of Lincoln , the highest award given by the State of Illinois . Each year several persons are selected as Lincoln Laureates at a ceremony presided over by its president, the Governor of Illinois . The organization gives an annual Student Laureate award to one student from each four-year degree-granting institution of higher learning in Illinois, plus one student from

350-648: The Pathé record label and for Ampico piano rolls. In the 1920s he recorded for the Victor and Emerson labels, among others. In 1923, Blake made three films for Lee de Forest in de Forest's Phonofilm sound-on-film process: Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake , featuring their song "Affectionate Dan"; Sissle and Blake Sing Snappy Songs , featuring "Sons of Old Black Joe" and "My Swanee Home"; and Eubie Blake Plays His Fantasy on Swanee River , featuring Blake performing his "Fantasy on Swanee River". These films are preserved in

385-541: The Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Ronald Reagan . Eubie! , a revue featuring Blake's music, with lyrics by Noble Sissle, Andy Razaf , Johnny Brandon , F. E. Miller and Jim Europe , opened on Broadway in 1978. It was a hit at the Ambassador Theatre, where it ran for 439 performances. It received three nominations for Tony Awards , including one for Blake's score. The show

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420-700: The Presidential Medal of Freedom . Blake was born at 319 Forrest Street in Baltimore , Maryland. Of the many children born to former slaves Emily "Emma" Johnstone and John Sumner Blake, he was the only one to survive childhood. John Sumner Blake was a stevedore on the Baltimore Docks . Blake claimed in later life to have been born in 1883, but records published beginning in 2003— U.S. Census , military, and Social Security records and Blake's passport application and passport—uniformly give his birth year as 1887. Blake's musical training began when he

455-669: The Schillinger System of music composition, graduating in two and a half years. He spent the next two decades using the Schillinger System to transcribe songs that he had memorized but had never written down. In the 1970s and 1980s, public interest in Blake's music was revived following the release of his 1969 retrospective album The Eighty-Six Years of Eubie Blake . Blake was a frequent guest of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Merv Griffin . He

490-592: The Secretary . The 18 Regents are elected from among the Trustees. There are three types of trustees : General Trustees, Academic Trustees, and Rectors. There are 60 General Trustees, appointed for six-year terms by the Academy President or Trustees. The Academic Trustees are the chief executives of degree-granting institutions in the state, plus the presidents of multi-campus four-year institutions and

525-538: The Carlyle, as Feyer had been before him, and remained there as a featured performer for more than 35 years. He often performed impromptu all-night sets at his various favorite cafes and restaurants. He was a regular patron at Ted Hook's Backstage, at Eighth Avenue and 45th Street. In 1971 Short published Black and White Baby , a brilliant description of his childhood upbringing in the dance halls and saloons of Chicago and New York, and his family's fight for survival after

560-540: The Goldfield during the winters from 1907 to 1914, and spent his summers playing clubs in Atlantic City. During this period, he also studied composition in Baltimore with Llewellyn Wilson. According to Blake, he also worked the medicine show circuit and was employed by a Quaker doctor. He played a melodeon strapped to the back of the medicine wagon. He stayed with the show only two weeks, however, because

595-654: The Maurice Zouary film collection in the Library of Congress collection. Blake also appeared in Warner Brothers ' 1932 short film Pie, Pie Blackbird with the Nicholas Brothers , Nina Mae McKinney and Noble Sissle . That year, he and his orchestra also provided most of the music for the film Harlem Is Heaven . In July 1910, Blake married Avis Elizabeth Cecelia Lee, proposing to her in

630-615: The President, who is the incumbent governor of Illinois . Five other officers are elected for four-year terms by 18 Regents, who act as the board of directors. The chief executive officer is deemed the Chancellor. The Vice-Chancellor performs the duties of the Chancellor in his/her absence. Administrative duties are carried out by the Executive Director, finances are handled by the Treasurer, and meeting minutes are taken by

665-423: The death of his father. He followed with Bobby Short: The Life and Times of a Saloon Singer in 1995, chronicling his career into the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Short continued his career in the 1970s and 1980s singing for films and television. In 1972, he performed the theme song to James Ivory 's film Savages . In 1976, Short sang and appeared in a commercial for Revlon's perfume " Charlie ". In 1979 he performed

700-449: The doctor's religion didn't allow the serving of Sunday dinner. Blake said he composed the melody of "Charleston Rag" in 1899, when he would have been only 12 years old. He did not commit it to paper until 1915, when he learned musical notation. In 1912, Blake began playing in vaudeville with James Reese Europe 's Society Orchestra, which accompanied Vernon and Irene Castle 's ballroom dance act. The band played ragtime music, which

735-470: The end of his life. Bobby Short was inducted as a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and in 1983 was awarded the Order of Lincoln by the governor of Illinois (the state's highest honor) in the area of performing arts. Short adopted nephew Ronald Bell of San Francisco, the son of Short's older brother William. Although Short never publicly declared he was gay, it was well known among his friends, fellow musicians, and some of his fans. When asked by

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770-753: The opening title of Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993). In 1991, Short made a guest appearance as blues musician Ches Collins on the TV series In the Heat of the Night in the episode " Sweet, Sweet Blues ". He also performed the episode's theme song. He reprised the role in the 1994 episode "Ches and the Grand Lady". In 1993, he made an appearance in the Michael J. Fox comedy film For Love or Money , performing Marc Shaiman 's song "In Your Eyes". Short's final film role

805-485: The proposal and named Butler the first Chancellor of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois on December 2, 1964. The first convocation to honor Lincoln Laureates was held on February 12, 1965, at the Chicago Historical Society . As of 2013 over 300 Illinoisans have received the award. The Academy began awarding Student Laureate awards to outstanding college students in 1975. The Academy is overseen by

840-455: The state's community colleges . Many prominent Illinoisans have received the Order of Lincoln . After visiting the Illinois exhibit at the 1964 New York World's Fair , the then head of the state's Organization for Economic Development and a theater producer, Michael Butler , was inspired to start an organization to honor distinguished Illinoisans. Butler submitted a proposal to this effect to Governor Otto Kerner, Jr. The Governor accepted

875-638: The state. Honorees are presented with the Badge of the Academy and a citation of reasons for their selection. Nominees are usually Illinoisans by birth or residence. Nominations are solicited from the Academy's Officers, Regents, and Rectors. Past Laureates and certain academics may also submit nominations. Candidates are nominated for their contributions to ten fields: agriculture; the arts and performing arts; business, industry and communications; education; government and law; labor; medicine and science; religion; social services; and sports. Laureates are selected at

910-536: The witty lyrics of Bessie Smith 's " Gimme a Pigfoot (And a Bottle of Beer) " or Gershwin and Duke's " I Can't Get Started ". Short stated his favorite songwriters were Ellington, Arlen and Kern, and he was instrumental in spearheading the construction of the Ellington Memorial in New York City. He was a friend of Tom Jobim and was present during the composer's final days in New York City. Short

945-799: Was actually his 96th birthday). He was interred in Cypress Hills Cemetery in Queens, New York . His headstone, engraved with the musical notation of "I'm Just Wild About Harry", was commissioned by the African Atlantic Genealogical Society. Blake was reported to have said, on his birthday in 1979, "If I'd known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself", but this has been attributed to others and has appeared in print at least as early as 1966. Source: The Lincoln Academy of Illinois The Lincoln Academy of Illinois

980-511: Was an American pianist and composer of ragtime , jazz , and popular music. In 1921, he and his long-time collaborator Noble Sissle wrote Shuffle Along , one of the first Broadway musicals written and directed by African Americans. Blake's compositions included such hits as "Bandana Days", "Charleston Rag", "Love Will Find a Way", " Memories of You " and " I'm Just Wild About Harry ". The 1978 Broadway musical Eubie! showcased his works, and in 1981, President Ronald Reagan awarded Blake

1015-638: Was born in Danville, Illinois , where two of his school classmates were Dick Van Dyke and Donald O'Connor . He began performing piano in dance halls and saloons, and as a busker, after leaving home at age 11 for Chicago with his mother's permission. Short began his adult musical career in clubs in the 1940s. In 1968 he was offered a two-week stint at the Café Carlyle in New York City, to fill in for George Feyer . Short (accompanied by Beverly Peer on bass and Dick Sheridan on drums) became an institution at

1050-610: Was featured by leading conductors, such as Leonard Bernstein and Arthur Fiedler . In 1977 he played Will Williams in the Jeremy Kagan biographical film Scott Joplin . By 1975, he had been awarded honorary doctorates from Rutgers, the New England Conservatory, the University of Maryland , Morgan State University , Pratt Institute , Brooklyn College , and Dartmouth . On October 9, 1981, he received

1085-466: Was filmed in 1981 with the original cast members, including Lesley Dockery, Gregory Hines and Maurice Hines . Blake performed with Gregory Hines on the television program Saturday Night Live on March 10, 1979 ( season 4, episode 14 ). Blake continued to play and record until his death, on February 12, 1983, in Brooklyn , five days after events celebrating his purported 100th birthday (which

Bobby Short - Misplaced Pages Continue

1120-408: Was four or five. While out shopping with his mother, he wandered into a music store, climbed onto the bench of an organ, and started "foolin’ around". When his mother found him, the store manager told her: "The child is a genius! It would be criminal to deprive him of the chance to make use of such a sublime, God-given talent." The Blakes purchased a pump organ for US$ 75.00, making payments of 25 cents

1155-572: Was in Man of the Century (1999). In 2000, the Library of Congress designated Short a Living Legend , a recognition established as part of its bicentennial celebration. The next year, his voice was featured in the 200th episode of the sitcom Frasier . In 2004, Short announced plans to end his regular appearances at the Café Carlyle by the end of the year. He continued to tour and travel until

1190-643: Was still quite popular. Shortly after World War I , Blake formed a vaudeville musical act, the Dixie Duo, with performer Noble Sissle . After vaudeville, they began work on a musical revue, Shuffle Along , which incorporated songs they had written, and had a book written by F. E. Miller and Aubrey Lyles . When it premiered in June 1921, Shuffle Along became the first hit musical on Broadway written by and about African Americans. It also introduced hit songs such as " I'm Just Wild About Harry " and "Love Will Find

1225-793: Was to be alone. At first when Avis got sick, I thought she just had a cold, but when time passed and she didn’t get better, I made her go to a doctor and we found out she had TB … I suppose I knew from when we found out she had the TB, I understood that it was just a matter of time." While serving as bandleader with the USO during World War II, he met Marion Grant Tyler, the widow of violinist Willy Tyler. They married in 1945. A performer and businesswoman, she became his valued business manager until her death in 1982. In 1946, Blake retired from performing and enrolled in New York University , where he studied

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