Reese DuPree

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. "Reese DuPree, Music Entrepreneur – Asbury Park Museum".
  2. "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
  4. "Reese du Pree".
  5. "'One Voice is Not Enough' exhibit uncovers the musical diversity of Asbury Park".
  6. "To Be Honored by Home-Town On 40th Music Anniversary". The Macon Telegraph. 28 September 1941. p. 1. Retrieved 31 January 2023.open access
  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
  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
  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
  11. Staff, The Coaster Editorial (October 3, 2018). "Asbury Angels Inductees Named".
  12. "Du Pree, Reese [WorldCat Identities]".
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