Noble Sissle (July 10, 1889, Indianapolis, Indiana – December 17, 1975, Tam… Read Full Bio ↴Noble Sissle (July 10, 1889, Indianapolis, Indiana – December 17, 1975, Tampa, Florida) was an American jazz composer, lyricist, bandleader, singer and playwright.
Noble Sissle sang several vocals on the last album recorded by James Reese Europe, conductor of the 369th Infantry Regiment (United States) "Harlem Hellfighters" Band, recorded and released in March 1919. He also accompanied the band on the tour that continued through May, 1919, and was given charge of the band by Europe, who died that night, May 9, 1919, to continue to the next stop on that tour.
Sissle is noted for his collaboration with songwriter, Eubie Blake. The pair first performed in vaudeville and later produced the musicals Shuffle Along and The Chocolate Dandies. Sissle is also, famously, the only African-American artist to appear in the Pathé film archives.
Shortly after World War I, Sissle joined forces with performer Eubie Blake to form a vaudeville music duo, "The Dixie Duo". After vaudeville, the pair began work on a musical revue, Shuffle Along, which incorporated many songs they had written, and had a book written by F. E. Miller and Aubrey Lyles. When it premiered in 1921, Shuffle Along became the first hit musical on Broadway written by and about African Americans. The musicals also introduced hit songs such as "I'm Just Wild About Harry" and "Love Will Find a Way."
In 1923, Sissle made two films for Lee DeForest in DeForest's Phonofilm sound-on-film process. They were Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake featuring Sissle and Blake's song "Affectionate Dan", and Sissle and Blake Sing Snappy Songs featuring "Sons of Old Black Joe" and "My Swanee Home". Blake also made a third film in Phonofilm, playing his composition "Fantasy on Swanee River". These three films are preserved in the Maurice Zouary film collection at the Library of Congress.
Sissle was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.
His rendition of the song "Viper Mad" was included in the Woody Allen film Sweet and Lowdown.
Noble Sissle sang several vocals on the last album recorded by James Reese Europe, conductor of the 369th Infantry Regiment (United States) "Harlem Hellfighters" Band, recorded and released in March 1919. He also accompanied the band on the tour that continued through May, 1919, and was given charge of the band by Europe, who died that night, May 9, 1919, to continue to the next stop on that tour.
Sissle is noted for his collaboration with songwriter, Eubie Blake. The pair first performed in vaudeville and later produced the musicals Shuffle Along and The Chocolate Dandies. Sissle is also, famously, the only African-American artist to appear in the Pathé film archives.
Shortly after World War I, Sissle joined forces with performer Eubie Blake to form a vaudeville music duo, "The Dixie Duo". After vaudeville, the pair began work on a musical revue, Shuffle Along, which incorporated many songs they had written, and had a book written by F. E. Miller and Aubrey Lyles. When it premiered in 1921, Shuffle Along became the first hit musical on Broadway written by and about African Americans. The musicals also introduced hit songs such as "I'm Just Wild About Harry" and "Love Will Find a Way."
In 1923, Sissle made two films for Lee DeForest in DeForest's Phonofilm sound-on-film process. They were Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake featuring Sissle and Blake's song "Affectionate Dan", and Sissle and Blake Sing Snappy Songs featuring "Sons of Old Black Joe" and "My Swanee Home". Blake also made a third film in Phonofilm, playing his composition "Fantasy on Swanee River". These three films are preserved in the Maurice Zouary film collection at the Library of Congress.
Sissle was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.
His rendition of the song "Viper Mad" was included in the Woody Allen film Sweet and Lowdown.
Kansas City Kitty
Noble Sissle Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Noble Sissle:
Baltimore Buzz There have been a thousand raggy-braggy prances That were d…
Dear Old Southland Dear old Southland I hear you calling me. And I long…
Shuffle Along: Mirandy There have been a thousand raggy-braggy prances That were …
Viper Mad just viper mad must have my fun i'm never sad it…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Mark Thompson
The engineers in Middlesex must have wondered what had hit them when this came down the wire to the cutting room! Phew. That's quite a performance, beautifully captured (and restored). More room sound than usual in evidence, more like SQH than Hayes. Whatever, it's a spectacular result. Nice one, Nick.
Nick Dellow
Many thanks Mark. It certainly does sound like it was recorded in a larger room. The original recording card (which I haven't seen) gives information about which studio or hall was used. I think Small Queens Hall is a good suggestion, but Rust says it's Hayes and he had access to all the files. A bit of a mystery. Thanks for your kind words about the restoration.
Trombonology Erstwhile
"Hot" to the point of combustion -- and sensational! The solos are socko -- Juice and Buster really stand out for me -- but what gets me most is that brass bass ... fabulous!
Robert Coulter
That brass bass just cracks! The secco notes under the solos, guy just lays it all right in place.
telmar98
It really blazes along with no holding back. The solo work is exceptional, and what a finish. Superb.
Yves Francois Ritmo
A desert island if there ever was one. What a band - but then Sissle knew how to lead them. The immortal Juice Wilson on violin showing he was better than just about anyone playing jazz in the violin in the late 20's - I guess he prefer Malta over London or Paris.
The two trumpets were a team that also played on some Blackbirds sides - Pike Davis and the remarkable Demas Dean (who takes the second jazzier solo).
Perfect record - and you did an incredible job regarding restoration
Nick Dellow
Many thanks Yves, your comments are much appreciated. Do you have the recently published book on Juice Wilson, edited by Anthony Barnett? I can recommend it. Thanks so much for what you say about my restoration.
John Llewlyn Davies
WOW 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👍
That Record
You can see the inner grooves have some white discoloration. I bet it's that fire, seven-beat chord they howl at the end.
BassetHoundTrio
Fabulously HOT!!