Eubie and Marion Blake correspondence with Geraldine Vondy

James Hubert (Eubie) Blake was born on February 7, 1887, in Baltimore, Maryland, and died on February 12, 1983 in Brooklyn, New York, a few days before his 96th birthday. Blake was born to parents who had been previously enslaved. Blake was a pianist and composer of ragtime and jazz music throughout the 20th century.

Blake performed many concerts throughout his lifetime including performances across Europe, on Broadway, and at the White House. In 1921 he collaborated with fellow musician Noble Sissle (1889-1975) on the Broadway musical “Shuffle Along” which was one of the first Broadway musicals written by African American composers and it featured an entirely Black cast. He later worked on the Broadway musical “EUBIE!” in 1978 that was based on his songs and life’s work. Throughout his life he was awarded many honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom presented by President Ronald Regan in 1981.

In July 1910, Blake married Avis Elizabeth Cecelia Lee. However, she died in 1938 from tuberculosis. He married Marion Gant Tyler in 1945 and remained with her until her death in 1982.

Marion Gant Tyler was born on February 11, 1896, in New York City and died from a heart attack on June 26, 1982. Marion Tyler had previously been married to the violinist William A. Tyler from 1921 until their divorce in the early 1930s. After her marriage to Eubie Blake, she worked as a de facto manager for him by ensuring that publishers and booking agents were properly paying him.

Geraldine “Gerry” Eva Shank was born January 17, 1928, in Elkhart, Indiana, and died April 10, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. Her parents were Forest G. Shank and Evelyn Cook. She attended the University of Denver where in 1949 she received a B.A. in Journalism. She was also an amateur ragtime musician and maintained friendships with many performers involved in the ragtime revival of the late 20th century, including Eubie Blake. She married attorney Fred W. Vondy and they had three children: Frederick Scott Vondy, Barbara J. Vondy, and Joan L. Vondy.