What was the Clef Club founded by James Reese Europe?

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Harlem Hellfighters Members of the 369th Infantry Regiment (Harlem Hellfighters) posing with their awards for gallantry in combat.

The Clef Club, which James Reese Europe helped organize in 1910, was a union for African American musicians.1

As a prominent figure in the evolution of ragtime into jazz, Europe utilized the organization to showcase the talents of Black performers. Notably, he conducted a 125-member Clef Club orchestra at Carnegie Hall that featured a unique and expansive instrumentation, including 47 mandolins and bandores alongside 27 harp guitars.1

Later, during World War I, Europe achieved further renown as the leader of the 369th Infantry band, famously known as the Harlem Hellfighters.1