James Reese Europe's 369th U.S. Infantry "Hell Fighters" Band

James Reese Europe was born in Mobile, AL, on February 22, 1880. Hoping to find opportunities not available to southern blacks, Jim Europe's father moved the family to Washington, D.C. In the nation's capitol, the children of the Europe family pursued education in a number of pursuits, including music. Jim Europe revealed an early penchant for leadership as well as music, studying violin with an assistant conductor of the United States Marine Band. This situation was to end unexpectedly with the death of the father in 1899. Jim Europe's older brother John relocated to New Yor...