James Reese Europe

The first time black music was played in Carnegie Hall was in 1912, when James Reese Europe conducted a concert of ragtime music with a band of one hundred and twenty five players. He was widely popular in his day, leading one of the most famous bands of the time, the Clef Club Orchestra, assembled to promote black musicians. The concert at Carnegie Hall established Europe as the top black bandleader in New York of his day. His performances were among the first to cross the barrier of race and gain the acknowledgement of whites.