In March of 1949 The Delta Rhythm Boys recorded under the name the Four Sharps for Atlantic. "Just A-Sittin And A-Rockin" rose to number 17 on the pop charts, their first (and only) chart success. In December of 1945 The Delta Rhythm Boys' 23rd 78 hit the market. In June of 1945 Decca released the first of their sides done with Ella Fitzgerald, "It's Only a Paper Moon"/"Cry You Out of My Heart." "Paper Moon" was a particularly fine shuffle-beat smoothie that had Ella and the boys trading leads. By the beginning of 1945 they'd already recorded 20 singles (including five with Mildred Bailey and two with Fred Astaire) and appeared in 11 Universal films and shorts including "Weekend Pass" and "Follow the Boys." They spent two years singing on the "Amos and Andy" radio show. In 1942, they began playing Las Vegas (when it only had two hotels). In 1941, the pianist Rene DeKnight joined the group. The band's composition was now Lee Gaines (bass), Traverse Crawford (second tenor), Clinton Holland (first tenor), Kelsey Pharr (baritone). The early '40s saw a new look for The Delta Rhythm Boys: Clinton Holland took over first tenor and was replaced shortly thereafter by Carl Jones Essie Adkins was replaced by Kelsey Pharr on baritone. Meanwhile, they kept up a whirlwind of performance activity, which culminated in a film contract with Universal Pictures. The first two songs, "Chilly and Cold"/"Gimmie Some Skin," were released in March 1940. In 1939 the group met Paul Kapp (brother of Decca Records exec Dave Kapp), and their lengthy recording career began with the recording on Decemof four songs for that label. Their reputation grew through their 15-minutes-a-day radio show on CBS and other Broadway shows such as "Hellzapoppin'" and Mike Todd's "The Hot Mikado" starring Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. The quartet presented itself at an audition and won against groups such as The Deep River Boys and The Charioteers. Having already missed half the school year at Langston University, the group decided to take their career further by moving to New York. A three-month stay turned into seven months of radio works, musical theatre, and performances in Peru and Chile. And glee club victory march professional#In the summer of 1937 the quartet made their first professional appearance a continent away from home, performing in Buenos Aires and singing weekdays on Argentina Radio Splendid. And glee club victory march full#Thereafter, they make a tour in Southern universities, the group was so well received that when they returned to school they were informed that their tuition fees and costs had been absorbed by the college, in effect granting them full scholarships. Horace Mann Bond (father of politician Julian Bond), who got the boys excited about the new music program he was assembling at Dillard as its new dean. The group arranged to go to Dillard University of New Orleans after meeting Dr. Lee, a sousaphone player who had led his freshman vocal quartet to a first prize in class competition, recruited first tenor Elmaurice Miller, second tenor Traverse Crawford, and baritone Essie Adkins while keeping himself on bass. Isaac Young to form a university quartet. Second-year student Lee Gaines had been chosen by school president Dr. The story of The Delta Rhythm Boys begins in 1934 at Langston University in Oklahoma. The following mini-biography, authored by Frank Harmon, is borrowed from the website. Phil Beauchamp adds: In this movie, they sing "All Or Nothing At All." It was filmed in 1943 but not released until February 1944. (L-R) Rene DeKnight (at piano), Clinton Holland, Lee Gaines, Traverse Crawford, and Kelsey Pharr. Photo is from the 1943 Universal film "Weekend Pass".
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