The Delta Rhythm Boys
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The Delta Rhythm Boys were an American vocal group active for over 50 years in the 20th century.
The group was first formed at Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma in 1934 by Carl Jones, Traverse Crawford, Kelsey Pharr, Otha Lee Gaines, and pianist/arranger Rene DeKnight. In 1936 they moved to Dillard University in New Orleans, where they worked under Frederick Hall under the names New Orleans Quintet and Frederick Hall Quintet.
The group appeared often in the 1940s 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. They also appeared extensively in film, including in You'll Never Get Rich with Bing Crosby and Rita Hayworth. Aside from their own recordings, they served as background vocalists for Charlie Barnet, Mildred Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ruth Brown.
In the 1950s they began to amass a large fan base in Europe, particularly in Scandinavia. In 1956, the group relocated to Europe and performed there up until Otha Lee Gaines's death on July 15, 1987.
The Delta Rhythm Boys were later inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
