The Delta Rhythm Boys
The Delta Rhythm Boys were founded in 1934 American vocal group of the early rhythm and blues, swing and pop, which existed until 1987.
History of the group
Established in 1934 at Langston University in Langston (Oklahoma), there was a formation over fifty years. With their vocal harmonies, the Delta Rhythm Boys made the link of the early rhythm and blues groups of the 1930s and 1940s to the Doo Wop formations of the 1950s dar. known they were primarily characterized by their vocal adaptations of well-known pop and jazz numbers as " Dry Bones " and Billy Strayhorn's "Take the 'A' Train" (1943) and held their own with their style even in the rock -dominated 1950s.
The Delta Rhythm Boys consisted of Elmaurice Miller, Traverse Crawford, Essie Joseph Adkins and Otha Lee Gaines ( 1914-1987 ). 1936 were the four singers at the Dillard University in New Orleans, where they performed under Frederick Hall under the names New Orleans Quintet and Frederick Hall Quintet. Clinton Holland ( who was soon replaced by Carl Jones) and Kelsey Pharr (1942 replaced by Hugh Bryant ) were added for Miller and Adkins; Rene DeKnight became their pianist.
In the 1940s, the group appeared on the radio program Amos and Andy Show ( 1946) and Joan Davis Show; they appeared also on Broadway in the revue Sing Out the News and Hot Mikado with. There were also frequent film appearances, as in You'll Never Get Rich with Bing Crosby and Rita Hayworth at this time. In addition to her own recordings, they acted as chorus singers in recordings of Charlie Barnet ("Just A- Sittin 'and A- Rockin' ", 1946), Mildred Bailey ( "Rockin 'Chair " / " Sometimes I'm Happy " ), Ella Fitzgerald ( " It's Only a Paper Moon ", " It's a Pity to Say Goodnight ", 1945) and Ruth Brown with ( " Sentimental Journey" and " It's All In Your Mind " for Atlantic Records, 1954).
Its typical early R & B recordings that appeared on Decca and Victor, was their version of " St. Louis Blues "or" Jersey Bounce "and their Soundies from the early 40's " I Dreamt I dwelt in Harlem, "" Jack, You're Playing the Game "," Snoqualomie JoJo "and" Just A- Sitting 'and A- Rockin' ' ". For the author Will Friedwald apply their interpretation of "Take the A Train ," in which they provided Strayhorn's arrangement with text, as an early example of the later vocalese style. They interpreted - as this is the Comedian Harmonists did - also numbers in typical a cappella vocal style of the revelers, as the "Rigoletto Blues".
In the early 1950s they were, inter alia, on in Las Vegas and they were known in Europe, especially in Scandinavia. They sang in 1951 in the Swedish language ( " Flickorna i Småland "). With titles such as " Come Softly to Me" or " Oh Wee Baby" they took over the popular doo-wop style. 1956 the group moved all the way to Europe and had its headquarters in Paris, where also recorded for Barclay arisen; The Delta Rhythm Boys were still up to Otha Lee Gaines ' death on July 15, 1987. Kelsey Pharr died in Honolulu in 1960 after a tour of Japan. Soon after, Carl Jones left the group and was replaced by Herb Coleman as first tenor; Hugh Kelsey Bryant replaced. In 1974, Herb Coleman was shot in Paris; the following year died the founding member Traverse Crawford. 1979 was the formation of Gaines, Bryant, Walter Trammell as first tenor and Ray Beauty as a second tenor.
The Delta Rhythm Boys were included in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Their hit Dry Bones Man found use in the soundtrack of the film Rain.
Other well-known songs
- (I Love You) for Sentimental ( Wiiiliam Best )
- Cry Out for You My Heart ( Hy Heath )
- I'll Never Get Out of Tis World ( Fred Rose)
- It's a Pity to Say Goodnight ( Mack Gordon)
- Sometimes I'm Happy ( Irving Caesar )
- Have a Hope, Have a Wish, Have a Prayer (Hal David)
Disco Graphical Notes
- The Delta Rhythm Boys - Just A - Rockin ' & a .. Vol 1 - ( Buffalo Bop, 1941-1946 )
- The Delta Rhythm Boys - Jump & Jive 'Til ... Vol 2 ( Buffalo Bop, 1947-1950 )
- Masters of Hip Harmony - The Delta Rhythm Boys (Collector's Choice, ed 2003)
- The Soundies appeared on the DVD Sing, Brother, Sing published 2004 - gekopplelt with titles of the Mills Brothers. The Soundies also appeared on the DVD Masters of Hip Harmony Music - Delta Rhythm Boys.