EUBIE BLAKE (pianist, composer) was born on February 7, 1887 in Baltimore, Maryland and passed away February 12, 1983. Blake was the surviving son of 8 children born to former slaves and began playing piano at age 4. A ragtime specialist, he became famous for “Shuffle Along” in 1921 which he co-wrote with his long time collaborator Noble Sissle. The production was one of the first Broadway musicals to be written by and about African Americans and featured the hit “I’m Just Wild about Harry”. In later years, Blake was a sought after ragtime expert, music historian and educator, receiving honorary degrees, awards and the subject of the Broadway musical “Eubie”.