|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSISSLE, Noble(b 10 July 1899, Indianapolis IN; d 17 Dec. '75, Tampa FL) Bandleader, vocalist, composer. To Baltimore '15, worked in a band with Eubie Blake, sometimes Luckey Roberts on piano; within days Sissle/Blake auditioned their first hit "I't's All Your Fault' for Sophie Tucker, who sang it in her act. He joined Jim Europe as guitarist-vocalist, with him in US Army '16 and until his death incl. tours of Europe. Formed duo with Blake, writing and prod. shows Shuffle Along, Chocolate Dandies etc (see entry for Blake). Sissle recorded over 30 vocals '21-7, most accompanied by Blake; "Arkansas' and "Down-Hearted Blues' were hits '22-3. Appeared in film shorts with Blake; continued leading bands, often in Europe; split up with Blake because he wanted to stay in England while Blake was homesick; was pals with Cole Porter, Fred Waring; in Dec. '30 the Prince of Wales sat in on drums. Returned to USA '31, broadcast from Park Central Hotel NYC (breaking the colour bar there); show Shuffle Along of 1933 flopped (allegedly among the cast was Nat Cole). Lena Horne sang with band mid-'30s, conducted when Sissle had been in car crash. He employed Buster Bailey, Tommy Ladnier, other greats: hit "Got The Bench, Got The Park' '31 incl. Sidney Bechet. At Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe club '38-50, except for USO tours WWII; succeeded Bill "Bojangles' Robinson as honorary mayor of Harlem '50, played at Eisenhower inaugural '53, guests incl. Blake and W.C. Handy; he was the first black disc jockey at radio WMGM NYC '60s; ran publishing company, club Noble's; retired to Tampa to live with Noble Jr. after he'd been mugged several times. Book Reminiscing With Sissle And Blake by Kimball and Balcom '73. |