Harlem Bespoke: The self-named Men of Bronze of the 369th Infantry Regiment during Word War I, who were more popularly known as the Harlem Hellfighters, would perform overseas for a country that was not always so welcoming. The group of men who were not even given weapons while training in the parks of Harlem and were not allowed to march in the farewell parade for the New York National Guard in 1917 still remained united in their cause to fight for the allies in the great war. Even with adversity, the troop of Harlem natives would unify their regiment with the help of the many jazz musicians of the day that had enlisted. James Reese Europe (far left in center photo) would lead the Hellfighter Band with known musicians such as Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle among the troops. The 369th Unit was the first American troop to land in France and served the longest in the field. Their resilience in the battlefield gained them the name Hellfighters by the Germans and the band of musicians would introduce the sound of jazz to France and the rest of Europe. Upon their return in 1919, with there legendary feats preceding them, a victory parade up 5th Avenue to Harlem would be held to celebrate the men of the 396th. Click on photos to enlarge. The Maysles Cinema will show the documentary Men of Bronze today as per our previous post: LINK
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