Hellfighters' Blues
Hellfighters' Blues is a short orchestral work based upon the life and work of leading Black American musician and bandleader James Reese Europe. The work was commissioned by BBC Radio 3 for the Last Night of the Proms 2024, and co-commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.
Hellfighters' Blues performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Last Night of the Proms, conducted by Sakari Oramo. © BBC Proms
Programme Note:
James Reese Europe (1880-1919) was considered to be the leading figure on the Black American music scene in New York City at the beginning of 20th century. He was known as the bandleader for the Harlem Hellfighters, the 369th Infantry Regiment made up primarily of Black Americans during World War I. The band would be the first Black Americans known for bringing Jazz to Europe in 1919. The first concert in France included a syncopated arrangement of Stars and Stripes Forever as well as the well-known ragtime piece written by W.C. Handy called Memphis Blues. To honor the legacy of James Reese Europe and the Hellfighters, I have used the melodic material from Handy's Memphis Blues, as well the harmonic structure from the 12- bar Blues. Hellfighters’ Blues features the brass with solos written in the style of those early ragtime players with jubilant blues riffs and jazz shakes. Using counterpoint in the woodwinds and strings, the piece comes to a whimsical close with the strings playing the highest notes possible followed by an answer in the percussion.
-Carlos Simon
Upcoming Performances:
Cincinnati Pops Orchestra: 21-23 March, 2025 (co-commissioners)
Hellfighters' Blues is available to program from April 2025 onwards.
There was a typically exuberant new work from Carlos Simon, Hellfighters’ Blues, which invited the BBC Symphony Orchestra, brass especially, to show off its virtuosity.
Hellfighters' Blues
5 minutes
2(1pic).2.2.2 - 4.3.2(1btbn).1 - 2perc.hp.timp - strings
BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sakari Oramo at the Last Night of the Proms
BBC Radio 3, National Symphony Orchestra, and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Hellfighters' Blues is a short orchestral work based upon the life and work of leading Black American musician and bandleader James Reese Europe. The work was commissioned by BBC Radio 3 for the Last Night of the Proms 2024, and co-commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.
Hellfighters' Blues performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Last Night of the Proms, conducted by Sakari Oramo. © BBC Proms
Programme Note:
James Reese Europe (1880-1919) was considered to be the leading figure on the Black American music scene in New York City at the beginning of 20th century. He was known as the bandleader for the Harlem Hellfighters, the 369th Infantry Regiment made up primarily of Black Americans during World War I. The band would be the first Black Americans known for bringing Jazz to Europe in 1919. The first concert in France included a syncopated arrangement of Stars and Stripes Forever as well as the well-known ragtime piece written by W.C. Handy called Memphis Blues. To honor the legacy of James Reese Europe and the Hellfighters, I have used the melodic material from Handy's Memphis Blues, as well the harmonic structure from the 12- bar Blues. Hellfighters’ Blues features the brass with solos written in the style of those early ragtime players with jubilant blues riffs and jazz shakes. Using counterpoint in the woodwinds and strings, the piece comes to a whimsical close with the strings playing the highest notes possible followed by an answer in the percussion.
-Carlos Simon
Upcoming Performances:
Cincinnati Pops Orchestra: 21-23 March, 2025 (co-commissioners)
Hellfighters' Blues is available to program from April 2025 onwards.
There was a typically exuberant new work from Carlos Simon, Hellfighters’ Blues, which invited the BBC Symphony Orchestra, brass especially, to show off its virtuosity.