Reese LaMarr DuPree (July 18, 1883 - April 30, 1963) was a singer, recording artist, promoter and entrepreneur.[1] He sang the Blues and was perhaps the first African-American male to sing and play guitar on a Blues record for Okeh Records.[2][1][3] He recorded on Victor and Okeh Records.[4][5]

Biography

DuPree was born July 18, 1883, in Bibb County, Georgia, on a cotton plantation near to Macon, Georgia.[1] He started singing in church and left the plantation around 13 trying his hand at several jobs.[1] Around 1900 he moved to New York City.[1] After winning an amateur competition at the Miner's Bowery Theatre he quit his job and started touring the cities' various amateur competitions.[1] His music professors came from Scotland, England, France and America.[6]

He performed in concerts across the country from New York City to San Bernardino, California.[7]

He is in the movie Turkey in the Straw.[1] In 1932 he performed with a chicken that he taught to sing, which was reported around the world.[1][6]

DuPree was a promoter of African-American artists and gained much recognition and was honored by the people of Macon and other Middle Georgians.[6] As a promoter, he faced competition from Savoy Attractions.[8] He was described as both internationally famous[9] and national-known promoter and presented such acts as Jimmie Lunceford.[10]

He was added to Asbury Park's Boardwalk Hall of Fame in 2018.[11]

Songs

  • "Long Ago Blues" — (OKeh 1923) Vocalist, baritone, composer, lyricist[2]
  • "O Saroo Saroo" — (OKeh 1923) Vocalist, baritone[2]
  • "Norfolk Blues" — (OKeh 1924) Vocalist, baritone[2][12]
  • "One More Rounder Gone" — (OKeh #8127 - 1924) Vocalist, baritone, songwriter[2]
  • "Here’s To Your Absent Brothers" — (OKeh 1924) Vocalist, baritone[2][4]
  • "Mammy’s Coo Coo" — (OKeh 1924) Vocalist, baritone[2][1]
  • "Shortnin' Bread" — (Victor 1927) Composer[2]
  • "Heav'n, heav'n" — (OKeh 1928) Vocalist, baritone[2]
  • "Were you there?" — (OKeh 1928) Vocalist, baritone[2]
  • "I got a home in-a dat rock" — (Victor 1929) Vocalist, baritone[2]

Further reading

  • "Springwood Avenue Harmony: The Unique Musical Legacy of Asbury Park’s West Side, Volume 1, 1871 – 1945" by Charles and Pamela Horner

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Reese DuPree, Music Entrepreneur – Asbury Park Museum".
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Du Pree, Reese - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu.
  3. ↑ "First male African-American blues record". The Record. 18 February 2022. pp. W14. Retrieved 31 January 2023.Open access icon
  4. 1 2 "Reese du Pree".
  5. ↑ "'One Voice is Not Enough' exhibit uncovers the musical diversity of Asbury Park".
  6. 1 2 3 "To Be Honored by Home-Town On 40th Music Anniversary". The Macon Telegraph. 28 September 1941. p. 1. Retrieved 31 January 2023.Open access icon
  7. ↑ "Reese Dupree, Negro Baritone, to Appear in Concert at Auditorium". The San Bernardino County Sun. 25 March 1928. p. 6. Retrieved 31 January 2023.Open access icon
  8. ↑ "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. July 27, 1946 – via Google Books.
  9. ↑ "Jimmie Lunceford, Guest Artist For 'Pal' Reese Dupree's Fete". The Macon Telegraph. 21 September 1941. p. 1. Retrieved 31 January 2023.Open access icon
  10. ↑ "Reese Dupree Bows His 42nd Year to Music Patrons on Tour With Jimmie Lunceford". The Macon News. 28 February 1943. p. 25. Retrieved 31 January 2023.Open access icon
  11. ↑ Staff, The Coaster Editorial (October 3, 2018). "Asbury Angels Inductees Named".
  12. ↑ "Du Pree, Reese [WorldCat Identities]".
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