Songbook: Photo of the 'Original Shuffle Along Orchestra,' with arrow pointing to William Grant Still

[The “Original Shuffle Along Orchestra,” inscribed by Eubie Blake]

A photo on the blog Songbook is entitled “Original Shuffle Along Orchestra,” and the blog says it is “inscribed by Eubie Blake.” Seated near the center of the first row is the oboist William Grant Still. His name is written on the photograph, with an arrow pointing to him.

Songbook
November 10, 2010

“Shuffle Along

The 1921 Broadway musical revue, Shuffle Along, was a significant milestone for African-American musical theater.”

The William Grant Still (1895-1978) page at AfriClassical.com, using the research of Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, notes: “Shuffle Along was produced by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake. Some of its musical arrangements were done by Still. The show featured an African American cast and was so successful that it ran for 504 performances in New York City before going on tour.”