Samuel Hargress II

Samuel Hargress II (April 9, 1936 – April 10, 2020) was the owner of the historic Paris Blues in (Harlem) (New York City), (New York). Paris Blues is a Jazz and Blues lounge/bar. It opened in 1969. He was also a Civil Rights activists. [1][2][3][4][5][6]

Samuel Hargress II
Born	(1936-04-09)April 9, 1936 Demopolis, Alabama
Died	April 10, 2020(2020-04-10) (aged 84) New York City, New York, U.S.
Children	Samuel Hargress III
Website	https://parisbluesharlem.webs.com

History

Hargress grew up on a farm. His father was Samuel J. Hargress, and his mother was Katie Hargress. Hargress was born in Demopolis, Alabama. His father was a Baptist minister. He comes from a family that owned what is known as a 'jukebox joint'. He csays his family background in music and entertainment gave him his love for music, jazz, and the opening of Paris Blues in Harlem. He named the club Paris Blues from his grandfather who was a soldier during WWI in a Black infantry unit 369th Infantry Regiment (United States) which was called the Harlem Hell Fighters. He served in the U.S. Army as a MP in France in 1959. After serving in the Army Hargress went back to Alabama, and became involved in the Civil Rights struggle. He participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches along with Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and others in 1965. Hargress later moved to Harlem, and opened Paris Blues in 1969. He spent over 50 years in the nightlife business. He was known in the Harlem community as a philanthropist who funded community block parties and community events.

Hargress was the executive producer of the film short Paris Blues in Harlem that was produced in 2018. Paris Blues in Harlem was written and directed by Nadhege Ptah. Hargress played a bar patron in film along with being the executive producer. His son Samuel Hargress III is quoted as saying about his father; “This is what he put his blood, sweat and tears into,” said his son, Sam Hargress III. “He made the bar almost an extension of himself.”[7][8][8]

Awards

• Mayor Bill De Blasio of New York City awarded Hargress a Key to the City of New York.

See Also

• "Mr. Blues", a Profile of Harlem's Paris Blues Jazz Club and Owner Samuel Hargress Jr.
• Interview with Sam Hargress

In creative works

• Paris Blues in Harlem (short film)[9]

References

1. Magazine, Harlem World (February 13, 2020). ""A Winner Never Quits," Samuel Hargress Jr., The Legendary Owner Of Paris Blues In Harlem".
2. ""Mr. Blues", a Profile of Harlem's Paris Blues Jazz Club and Owner Samuel Hargress Jr". Viewing NYC. April 13, 2015.
3. "Paris Blues at 45". amsterdamnews.com.
4. "Harlem Blues: Remembering Sam Hargress Jr. | News Break". News Break New York, NY.
5. "R.I.P. Sam Hargress ~ Paris Blues". April 12, 2020.
6. "Sam Hargress Jr. Paris Blues in Harlem Archives".
7. "Paris Blues owner dies". amsterdamnews.com.
8. Kurutz, Steven (April 29, 2020). "Samuel Hargress Jr., Owner of a Beloved Harlem Bar, Dies at 84" – via NYTimes.com.
9. Green, Bernice Elizabeth. "Renaissance Woman in Our Time Nadhege Ptah Pt. II".