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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBANKS, Billy(b c'08, Alton OH; d 19 Oct. '67, Tokyo) Jazz singer; impressive aptitude for happy scat. Signed by manager Irving Mills, made Victor test pressing 'Sleepytime Down South' April '32, other sides same month for Banner-Perfect with band incl. Eddie Condon, Henry Allen, Pee Wee Russell, Joe Sullivan, Gene Krupa, Al Morgan (b 19 Aug. '08, New Orleans; d 14 April '74, LA), bass, Jack Bland (b 8 May 1899, Sedalia MO), guitar; appeared that year at Connie's Inn NYC. Records by interracial recording bands under names of Eddie Condon and his Rhythmakers, Chicago Rhythm Kings, Jack Bland and his Rhythmakers, Harlem Hot Shots, etc: e.g. the Rhythmakers incl. Condon, Allen, Bland, Russell, Fats Waller, Zutty Singleton, Jimmy Lord (b 28 Nov. 1889; d '27 April '70), clarinet; George Murphy 'Pops' Foster (b c1892, McCall LA; d 30 Oct. '69, bass, recorded 26 July '32 NYC for American Record Company group: 'I Would Do Anything For You', 'Mean Old Bed Bug Blues', 'Yellow Dog Blues', 'Yes Suh!'. Banks returned to Cleveland '33 during Depression, helped to run family business; joined Noble Sissle band '34; then resident at Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe club NYC: played 7,151 dates there from Dec. '38 to June '48. Toured Europe '50s; settled in Japan. |