Description

• Composer: Eubie Blake (1887-1983)
• Arranger: William Bolcom (1938-)
• Instrumentation: Piano
• Work: Capricious Harlem
• Binding:
• ISMN: 9790300757711
• Size: 9.1 x 11.9 inches
• Pages: None

Description

Version by William Bolcom (approved by Eubie Blake)

“Capricious Harlem , from the mid-thirties of the last century, fits into the genre of American salon pieces, like Signorelli’s Park Avenue Fantasy, or de Rose’s Deep Purple , which were popular at that time. Eubie Blake wrote it out in a much simpler version than he actually played it, and my version is largely a reflection of his own performance. Eubie always said it was incumbent on a musician to make his own version of a piece like Capricious Harlem – not just to play ‘The notes’, as he always said – but I added extremely little to his own version, and when I played it for him he heartily approved: ‘It’s your piece now, kid!’ I dedicate my transcription of Capricious Harlem to his memory.” (William Bolcom)