The New Amsterdam Musical Association Featuring Sarah Vaughn

The New Amsterdam Musical Association is a not-for-profit 501(3)(c) 105 year old Music Union, Established in 1905. This historic Real Estate is the home of African American Musicians & Composers that were excluded from the Non-Negro Unions that protected Artist and placed Artist in the most profitable gigs. Before establishing this union, many African American musicians were struggling and exploited on gigs, forced to wash dishes and assist in cleaning these venues in order to receive their already earned skimpy wages. The New Amsterdam Musical Association in many ways changed the Music Business that was so openly bias towards African American Musicians & Composers. Help Support Preserve the Continuity of Our History. One of the many attractive members that belonged to this union was a young talented musician/composer/arranger/Band Leader and Lieutenant of the United States Army; the famous 369th Infantry Regimen the French Coined Name HARLEM HELLFIGHTERS, formally the 15TH NEW YORK NATIONAL GUARD REGIMENT also known as the Black Rattlers in addition to several other Nick Names. His name is James Reese Europe, the man that became famous throughout Europe, being the first to introduce the until-then unknown music called Jazz to British,French and other audiences and started a worldwide demand for it, James Reese Europe was definitely a man before his time, inspiring countless musicians and is also known for inspiring American Composer George Gershwin. Lieutenant James Reese Europe also had a hand in organizing the New Amsterdam Music Association also known as N.A.M.A, the Tempo Club and the Clef Club. The Multi-Talented Composer and praised Lieutenant Assembled and Lead the 1st African American Regiment during WWI the Harlem Hell-fighters Infantry Band to great Acclaim. The Harlem Hell-fighters made their first recordings with French company "Pathe Brothers" and also made a series of phonograph records for victor talking machine company from 1913-1914.James Reese Europe recorded 24 Records total and was the 1st "FIRST" to record jazz records. The New Amsterdam Music Associations Member James Reese Europe is on record as also being the 1st African American Officer to lead combat troops into battle. The Unit never lost a foot of ground, never had a man taken as a prisoner though on 2 occasions men were captured but were recovered. The 369th Unit was placed on the permanent list with other veteran units. Clearly James Reese Europe was more than an ordinary man, W.C Handy wrote " the man who had just come through the baptism of wars,fire and steel without a mark had been stabbed by one of his own musicians" (Herbert Wright) Speaking on Lieutenant Reese's violent death.Tanney Johnson said "Before James Europe came to New York in 1904 the colored man knew nothing but negro dances and porters work. James Reese Europe set the example here at NAMA and for other Musicians that worked for him. He was the type that would take porter's and place and raise them to positions of importance as real musicians. The race has lost a leader a benefactor and a true friend said...Tanney Johnson
James Reese Europe's Clef Club consisted of 125 members and was the "FIRST" jazz band ever to play at Carnegie Hall beginning in 1912.Whites were astonished that all of Reese's musicians could read. "NY TIMES" Review read " Program consisted largely of plantation melodies and spirituals..These composers are beginning to develop an art of their own based on their folk material" (MARCH 12,1914) Also in 1912 James Reese Europe's Society Orchestra became nationally famous accompanying the headliner dancers Vernon and Irene Castle. The New Amsterdam Music Association had some prominent Members that also played in James Reese Europe's band. Members like Will Marion Cook, who has had his own performance at Carnegie Hall in 1896 as a Solo Violinist and "FIRST" African American Composer to launch full fully scored Musical Productions.James Reese Europe was the leading figure on the African American and White Music scene and so was many of his fellow band mates that were also N.A.M.A members.Europe was granted the 1st public funeral for an African American in the city of New York. May 9,1919 was the last performance of Lieutenant James Reese Europe at the Boston's Mechanic Hall. The New Amsterdam Music Association has played a major role in helping these Trail blazing Musicians accomplish what was considered the Impossible.We are Still in existence during our reconstruction period and we are working harder to continue the legacy that James Reese Europe and many older N.A.M.A members fully believed in by helping the under served communities.




THE NEW AMSTERDAM MUSIC ASSOCIATION
107 west 130th Street
NYC,NY 10027
1-212-234-2973

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Harlem
• jazz
• african american history
• hispanic history
• eubie blake
• black classical musicians
• black composers

[MrFalconford]

we do remember the importance of harlem music, to reach the young and continue a future in the living world while not minimizing the contrabutions of the past is a difficult road, education is one answer in addition to finding living musicians and vocalists who can systhesize the past and carry it into the present and on to the future generations is a art, opera has done it why shouldnt we, i think what you started here may help, it is by no means a easy task, i plan on sharing this information

[1905Nama]

@MrFalconford Thank you..I def. agree with you the task isn't easy. One of the hardest task is getting the people to just listen to the plan. check us out on facebook: "SOMETHING ABOUT HARLEM"

Peace!

[1905Nama]

@binstence Thanks a million. The Interest will come Soon. The Work is being Done.

Nama's email is newamsterdammusic@gmail.com

Let me know what your specialties or interest are so I can see how I can use your help.

Much Appreciated!