The Delta Rhythm Boys

The Delta Rhythm Boys were an American vocal group active from 1934 to 1987.^[1]

The Delta Rhythm Boys
The quartet with pianist Rene DeKnight. Top left to right: Lee Gaines, DeKnight. Center: Carl Jones. Bottom left to right: Traverse Crawford, Kelsey Pharr.
Background information
Genres	R&B, jazz, gospel, doo-wop
Years active	1934–1987

The group was formed at Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma, in 1934 by Carl Jones, Traverse Crawford, Otha Lee Gaines, and Kelsey Pharr.^[1] They moved to Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1936 and worked there under Frederick Hall as the Frederick Hall Quintet and the New Orleans Quintet.^[1]

They performed on radio programs such as Amos and Andy and The Joan Davis Show, and performed on Broadway in the shows Sing Out the News and Hot Mikado.^[1] The group appeared extensively in 15 films.^[2] They resettled permanently in Europe in 1956.^[1]

Lee Gaines died of cancer in Helsinki, Finland on July 15, 1987.^[3][4] At Gaines's funeral (on July 22, 1987), Hugh Bryant collapsed while performing, and died, apparently from a heart attack.^[5]

Personnel

Bass

• 1934–1987: Lee Gaines

First tenor

• 1934–1944: Elmaurice Miller
• 1940–1944: Clinton Holland
• 1944–1960: Carl Jones (died September 21, 2010)^[6]
• 1960–1974: Herb Coleman (died June 12, 1974)^[7]
• 1974–1987: Walter Trammell

Second tenor

• 1934–1975: Traverse Crawford
• 1975–1987: Ray Beatty

Baritone

• 1934–1940: Joseph "Essie" Adkins
• 1940–1943: Harry Lewis
• 1943–1960: Kelsey Pharr (died April 20, 1961)^[8]
• 1951–1954: Cliff Holland (temporary replacement for Pharr)
• 1962–1987: Hugh Bryant^[4]

Pianist

• 1934–1987: Rene DeKnight (died January 24, 2004.)^[9]

References

1. Harris, Craig. "The Delta Rhythm Boys". AllMusic. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
2. Warner, Jay (2006). American Singing Groups: A History from 1940s to Today. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 24. ISBN 9780634099786. Retrieved July 24, 2016. Delta Rhythm Boys.
3. Obituaries: Lee Gaines, 73, a Jazz Singer The New York Times, July 21, 1987.
4. "The Dead Rock Stars Club - The 1980s". thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
5. Obituaries: Hugh Bryant Dies as He Sings Tribute at Lee Gaines Funeral The New York Times, July 24, 1987.
6. "Carl Jones Obituary (2010) - Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles Times". Legacy.com. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
7. "U.S. Singer Shot to Death". Los Angeles Times. June 13, 1974. p. I-21.
8. "Article clipped from The Miami News". The Miami News. April 21, 1961. p. 4. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
9. Living Blues. Living Blues Publications. 2004.

External links

• The Delta Rhythm Boys at the Vocal Group Hall of Fame website
• The Delta Rhythm Boys at Doo Wop Nation
• Jason Gross. Carl Jones Interview. Furious.com. January 2001.