Memories of You was composed by Eubie Blake with lyrics by Andy Razaf and was first published in 1930.
Memories of You was composed by Eubie Blake with lyrics by Andy Razaf and was first published in 1930. Minto Cato sang the song in the Broadway show Blackbirds by Lew Leslie. A 1930 version was recorded by Louis Armstrong, which featured Lionel Hampton and was also covered by a host of artists such as Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Thelonious Monk, Judy Garland, Stan Kenton, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Bette Midler, Robert Wyatt and Ted Heath.
Better known as Eubie, James Hubert Blake was an American composer, lyricist and pianist, specializing in popular, jazz and ragtime. In 1921 he co-wrote the musical Shuffle Along, the first Broadway musical to be written and directed by Afro-Americans. Along with Memories ofYou, he wrote Bandana Days, Charleston Rag and I’m Just Wild About Harry. The musical Eubie ! featured the works of Blake and opened on Broadway in 1978. There is some discrepancy regarding how old he was when he passed away, whether it was 5 days after his 100th or 96th birthday, he is credited with having said “If I’d known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” Eubie will be remembered as one of the finest popular composers and songwriters of his era.
