Aug 28, 2023
When thinking about brass band music, one probably instantly
thinks about John Philip Sousa, but William Joseph Blue, a Black
Man, spent his life sharing his passion for Brass music with the
world as well, which is all well documented in his diary. Just
press play to hear the whole story. -----
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Podcast Transcript: I’m Cicely Hunter, Public Historian from the Missouri Historical Society, and here’s history, on eighty-eight-one, KDHX. As a notable bandmaster, talented cornetist, composer, and teacher, William Joseph Blue spent his life sharing his passion for music with the world. He was born to George and Mary Blue on July 25, 1875, in Bloomfield, Missouri. He married Eva Mapp on September 8, 1898, and the couple moved to St. Louis around 1900. -----
Blue’s musical expertise made him one of the leading Black artists in St. Louis and earned him the nickname “Professor.” At an Emancipation Day celebration in 1912, he led a brass band of 50 Black musicians playing to an estimated crowd of more than 20,000 people gathered at Handlan’s Park, located at Grand and Laclede avenues. ------
Blue enlisted in the US Army during World War I, arriving at New Jersey’s Camp Dix training camp on March 7, 1918. Four days later he was appointed assistant band leader for the 350th Field Artillery Band of the 92nd Division, one of the two Black infantry divisions that served in the war. By June 30 he was on his way to the war front in France. -------
The Missouri Historical Society’s Collection includes a fragile 136-page diary from Blue that gives the reader vital information and insight into his experiences. Blue recorded details about his enlistment at Jefferson Barracks, his time in training camp, his experiences, and thoughts on military service in France, and poems about the war. Writing about the artillery band’s performances in France, Blue noted, “Every concert was received with continuous applause until we gave the last number.” ------
Also, Blue was involved with different band organizations, including his own William Blue Band, he led the Haskell and Blues School of Music in St. Louis, founded the Shriners Band, and organized Sunday concerts at Pythian Hall and Douglass Hall. ------
For more information about St. Louis Black history, please visit our website mohistory.org/aahi. Here’s history is a joint production of the Missouri Historical Society and KDHX. I’m Cicely Hunter and this is eighty-eight-one, KDHX, St. Louis. ------