July 18, 2025 • 58 mins
This week's Make Believe Ballroom with Jeff Bressler brings you Classic Big Band Hits from the 30s and 40s - a big band leader who had to change his name, a popular bandleader who had a second career as an MC and DJ, this and many more great songs and stories to cherish and enjoy on this week's program.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
It's make believe ballroom time. Put all your cares away.
All the bands are here to bring good cheer your way.
It's make belief ballroom time and free to everyone.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
It's no time to friend your Dalis.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Said Bamba.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Yours.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Close your eyes and visual lize in your solitude.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Your favorite bands are on this dance.
Speaker 5 (00:49):
And mister Miller, but you're in the mood.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
It's make believe ballroom time. We are a sweet romance.
Speaker 6 (00:59):
Is to make believe.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Bob, come on till the last dass last.
Speaker 7 (01:05):
Hello world, I'm Jeff Bresler, turning on the lights of
the make Believe Ballroom and welcoming you into my crystal
studio for another program of classic big band hits from
the nineteen thirties and nineteen forties. Whether you're listening on
the radio via great affiliates like Jazz ninety point one
(01:27):
WGMC in Rochester, New York, or on a podcast, or
perhaps on internet radio in the United Kingdom, anyway you
have arrived. I'm delighted, so please get ready as I
spend for you some amazing big band jazz, swing, blues
and boogie woogie favorites. Folks, you're listening to the Make
(01:49):
Believe Ballroom, broadcasting almost continuously since nineteen thirty five. And
hello once again, folks, welcome to the show. Let's start
the victrola spinning right away with one by Dean Hudson
and his orchestra.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Than the the Border.
Speaker 7 (05:05):
On Okay Records, Holly Hop by Dean Hudson and his Orchestra,
recorded in New York City on August the nineteen forty one. Now,
Dean Hudson was actually born with the name Marion Ellsworth Brown.
(05:26):
So how did he become Dean Hudson. Well, that amazing
story after another by the Hudson Orchestra.
Speaker 8 (06:06):
The man.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Then alive.
Speaker 7 (08:16):
A hot swinger from Dean Hudson Parker Lund on that
wonderful drum solo Dean Hudson and his orchestra blitz Creek,
recorded on ok Records back in nineteen forty one. So friends,
before that record, I said that I would, well that
I would tell you the story of how one Marion
(08:39):
Ellsworth Brown became better known as Dean Hudson. And it's
a great story. So as the tale goes, the band
that Hudson led was originally formed back at the University
of Florida in the mid nineteen thirties. It was a
college band and they performed as the Clubmen. The first
(09:04):
leader of that band was a student at the University
of Florida named Eli Katz, and he used the name
Dean Hudson as his stage name.
Speaker 9 (09:16):
Well.
Speaker 7 (09:16):
When Katz graduated, another band leader needed to be chosen,
but under the conditions that were set forth by Katz,
one of those being that the new leader would have
to assume the Dean Hudson fictitious name. In nineteen thirty six,
(09:37):
the Clubmen, as a group chose Marion Brown to become
the new Dean Hudson, and the band recorded their first
records as Dean Hudson and the Florida Clubmen. Marion Brown,
who played trumpet and was a pretty good singer, he
retained the alias Dean Hudson for the rest of his career.
(10:00):
So one of the more interesting tales, Ladies and Gentlemen,
of how an individual in this case, Marion Brown came
up with his stage name.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Of everything.
Speaker 6 (11:56):
At All.
Speaker 7 (12:35):
Nothing, We just heard the smooth sounding Villia. Artie Shaw
(13:16):
and his orchestra recorded this one for Bluebird Records back
on January the seventeenth, nineteen thirty nine, in New York City.
So let's see here, Well, I played two by Dean Hudson,
So why not extend the same privilege and courtesy to
Artie Shaw for one more? Then when I return after
(13:41):
Artie a look at a multifaceted musician and entertainer.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Bastide to the sating.
Speaker 7 (16:24):
Making everything is jumping, And it certainly was a rousing
(18:57):
performance by Artie Shaw and Company, broadcast on the radio
from the Cafe Rouge of the Hotel Pennsylvania, New York
City on October the twentieth, nineteen thirty nine, that one
featuring Buddy Rich on the drums. Friends, I'm Jeff Presler,
and you're listening to the one, the only, the original
(19:21):
Make Believe Ballroom broadcasting almost continuously since nineteen thirty five.
And you can reach me at Jeff at MakeBelieve Ballroom
Radio dot com. That's Jeff at MakeBelieve Ballroom Radio dot com.
And well, maybe a little later on in the program
we can get to some of the emails that I
(19:41):
have received over the past week. Now, I mentioned prior
to that Artie Shaw double dip that I wanted to
tell you about a multifaceted musician, vocalist, bandleader and entertainer
who was beloved during the big band And his name
(20:01):
was Willie Bryant. And Willie was a trumpeter, big band leader,
He was a vocalist, a composer, and disc Jackie. Like
I said, the Chicago born Willy Bryant was indeed multifaceted.
WILLI formed his first band in nineteen thirty four, and
(20:22):
it took off right away, getting to the Lofty Heights
that year of Willy and Crue being booked into the
Savoy Ballroom, amongst other places. He quickly signed a record contract,
first with Victor and later with Decca Records. He scored
two big hits, Moonrise on the Lowlands and is it
(20:45):
true what they say about Dixie? What a wonderful tune
that is? I want to play both those for you
and then tell you about how Willy branched out after
he left the bandstand.
Speaker 5 (21:07):
Is it true what they.
Speaker 9 (21:08):
Say about Dixie? Does the sun really shine all the time?
Do the sweet Magnonius blossom at everybody's door?
Speaker 5 (21:19):
Do books keep on eating bosom.
Speaker 6 (21:21):
That they can't eat no more?
Speaker 9 (21:24):
Is it true what they say about Swanna?
Speaker 5 (21:28):
Is it dream by the stream so sublime?
Speaker 6 (21:32):
Do they laugh? Do they love?
Speaker 10 (21:34):
Like they say in every song?
Speaker 6 (21:36):
If it's true, that's where.
Speaker 11 (21:38):
I be all.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Yeah, mean yeah?
Speaker 7 (23:11):
Is it true what they say about Dixie? Willie Bryant
and his Orchestra vocal by Willie himself, recorded on Bluebird Records,
April the ninth, nineteen thirty six. One More by Willie Bryant.
Speaker 6 (24:58):
When it's moved on the Lowland. You hear laughter from
eat Kevin Doll.
Speaker 5 (25:07):
When it's moon rise on the Lowland. The zufolks are
happy once more.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
What a nightfall we like?
Speaker 12 (25:20):
They gone.
Speaker 5 (25:22):
After picking cotton all day.
Speaker 9 (25:27):
Just listen to that congregation, just singing their cares all
the way.
Speaker 6 (25:37):
Up and down the delta underneath the shelter.
Speaker 12 (25:42):
Of a friendly guy.
Speaker 9 (25:47):
You see those nixy dandies dancing with their mandies.
Speaker 5 (25:51):
They got rhythm and religion and they're feeling kind of hide.
Speaker 6 (25:56):
When it's moon rise on the Lowland.
Speaker 5 (26:00):
H you'd be heaven lighting.
Speaker 13 (26:05):
Up the shore.
Speaker 5 (26:06):
When there's more light on the low line. Them's thus folks.
I have that once more, Yeah, yeah, they'll have it,
Yeah yeah.
Speaker 7 (27:01):
Willie Bryant and his Orchestra with his hit Moonrise on
the Lowlands. Will he also performing the vocal on this
one recorded by Bluebird Records April ninth, nineteen thirty six,
and that song was recorded at the same session in
which is It True what They Say about Dixie was
(27:24):
also recorded. So due to economic circumstances as we move
along through the nineteen thirties, Willie Bryant had to eventually
disband his band in nineteen thirty eight. At that time,
he decided to continue singing, but he also decided to
(27:47):
use his talent, of his gift for gab and his
great personality to become a rather popular radio disc jockey. Now,
Willie was also an early pioneer in television and maybe
I'm not sure, but I think he was the first
(28:07):
ever host of an all black program. In nineteen forty nine,
he hosted the weekly show Weekly show entitled Uptown Jubilee,
which was on the fledgling CBS television network at the time.
And after that, Willie went on to work at the
Apollo Theater as a long time beloved EMC there at
(28:29):
that Harlem venue. Now, many of you out there might
remember a TV show that was called Showtime at the
Apollo and it was hosted by a few folks, but
the most famous MC for that program, I guess you
would have to say it was Steve Harvey. The program
(28:51):
first aired in nineteen eighty seven, and then a revival
took place in twenty eighteen. And I call watching the
show in New York on NBC when it came on
after came on after Saturday Night Live. The program was
(29:12):
filmed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, and if you remember,
if you remember the show, it featured live performances from
both professionals and up and coming artists, and also featured
an amateur night competition. Now, that was a highly regarded series,
but it's forefather, the original Showtime at the Apollo, aired
(29:38):
in nineteen fifty five with Willie Bryant as the host.
And what better host than Willie since he lived and
breathed the live performances at the Apollo directly from that
historic stage as an MC which I just mentioned a
few moments ago. Now, many of you TV history buffs
(30:00):
or some of you as viewers might actually remember singing
the nineteen fifty five version of the show, and it
gave that show. The fifty five version gave a real
taste of what a performance at the Apollo must have
been like with the vocalists, comedians, bands, dancers and singing groups.
(30:24):
So why don't we take a little while to play
some records of guests who were featured on the nineteen
fifty five Willie Bryant version of Showtime at the Apollo.
Let's start with this one, and it's not too hard
to guess who this frequent guest on the show was.
Speaker 5 (30:54):
I don't want fredge potatoes, red rabbe tomatoes. I'm never satisfied.
I want the frim Fram sauce with the aw.
Speaker 6 (31:08):
Soun feed with Shill Fifa on the side.
Speaker 5 (31:15):
I don't want pork chops and baggon that water waken
my apple tide inside. I want the friend fram sauce
with the aw.
Speaker 6 (31:29):
Sun feed with Shill Fifa on the side. A fella
really got to eat and a fella shoot he rid five.
Speaker 13 (31:48):
We'll get you ten. I'm gonna feed myself right tonight.
I don't want fish cakes and rib red You heard
what I said.
Speaker 5 (32:03):
Wait to please serve my.
Speaker 8 (32:05):
Fried I want the frem Fram sauce with the aws.
Speaker 6 (32:11):
And feet with Shafifa on the side.
Speaker 5 (33:01):
A fella really got to eat.
Speaker 6 (33:06):
And a fella shoesy ride.
Speaker 5 (33:12):
Five will get you ten. I'm gonna feed.
Speaker 13 (33:17):
Myself right tonight. I don't want fish cakes and rye bread.
Speaker 5 (33:25):
You heard what I said.
Speaker 8 (33:28):
Wait to please serve my fried I want fram frown
sauce with thee or sunfish with chif.
Speaker 6 (33:39):
Fifa on the side.
Speaker 5 (33:50):
Now, if you don't have it, just bring me a
check for the water.
Speaker 7 (33:58):
From Capitol Records. The frim fram Sauce by the King
Cole Trio vocal by Nat king Cole, recorded October the eleventh,
nineteen forty five and Nat king Cole appeared on four
episodes of the original TV version of Showtime at the
(34:19):
Apollo back in nineteen fifty five. So, folks, the fifty
five Showtime at the Apollo, as I mentioned, was a
variety show. The Great Hoofer, the legendary tap dancer Bill Baily,
appeared on four episodes. Bill Bailey was the older brother
(34:40):
of the great songstress and comedian Broadway stage actress Pearl Bally,
and he Bill Bailey. He was a great friend of
Bill Bojangles Robinson, and he used to pack his act
with moves he learned from the great One. Now Bailey
(35:00):
appeared in the groundbreaking all black cast nineteen forty three
movie Cabin in the Sky. He did a dance move
in that film that became legendary and it really cemented
his fame as a tap dance star. Here's the song
(35:21):
from the movie, sung by Ethel Waters that Bill Bailey danced.
His famous move still used today.
Speaker 2 (35:35):
Rye goal again, I'm hearing trump. It's snow again.
Speaker 14 (35:42):
All alow again, taking a chance.
Speaker 11 (35:46):
On noe, ry slide again, about to take that ride again,
star ride again, taking a chance on love.
Speaker 2 (36:04):
I thought that cards were a frame up.
Speaker 6 (36:08):
That I never would try.
Speaker 15 (36:12):
But now I'm taking the game up, and the ace
of hearts is high.
Speaker 2 (36:20):
Things are mending now. I see a rainbow lending. Now
we'll have our happy ending. Now, taking a chance.
Speaker 14 (36:32):
On low.
Speaker 2 (36:35):
He I slip bugin.
Speaker 14 (36:38):
I'm gonna take that tip begin God.
Speaker 2 (36:43):
My grip bugin. Taking a chance.
Speaker 7 (36:47):
On no.
Speaker 16 (36:50):
No. I poove again that I can lake life move
again in the groove again, taking a chance on love.
Speaker 14 (37:05):
I'm walking around with a horseshoe and in.
Speaker 2 (37:09):
Clover eye line.
Speaker 14 (37:12):
Why, mister rabbit, of course you better kiss your foot goodbye.
On the ball again, I'm riding more a fall again.
I'm gonna give me again, taking.
Speaker 6 (37:32):
A chance on line.
Speaker 2 (37:51):
Here I sink again.
Speaker 17 (37:55):
I'm getting in the pink again, all the brink again,
taking a chance on love this game, I'm.
Speaker 6 (38:07):
Taking a cracket.
Speaker 11 (38:09):
Sean needs good luck with me, and so I'm taking
a whacket.
Speaker 2 (38:17):
Any blackcat that.
Speaker 5 (38:19):
I see.
Speaker 14 (38:22):
Why M booked again. I'm in the swim and hooked again.
This goose of mine is cooked again.
Speaker 2 (38:33):
Taking a chance one.
Speaker 7 (38:39):
Taking a chance on love. Ethel Waters vocal dance performed
by Bill Bailey also in the scene and also cutting
a rug won Eddie Rochester Anderson of Jack Benny fame,
and that scene can be viewed on YouTube. And in
that scene if you watch it for the first time ever,
(39:02):
Bill Baily did a dance move that affectionately became called
the moonwalk. The inventor of the moonwalk Bill Bailey, also
who frequently appeared on the nineteen fifty five edition of
Showtime at the Apollo and now I want to disc
(39:26):
well before I do that, come to think of it,
I'm just thinking about this. How interesting Bill Bailey did
the moonwalk on the stage of the Apollo Theater while
astronauts walked on the Moon via the Apollo spacecraft. What
an interesting coincidence. Friends who also appeared on the Willie
(39:48):
Bryant hosted Showtime at the Apollo. Well, let's have a listen.
Speaker 3 (40:13):
The Father.
Speaker 9 (41:00):
Didn't Kill Me.
Speaker 7 (42:34):
Lionel Hampton and his orchestra with the Benny Carter composed
I'm in the mood for Swing, recorded July the twenty first,
nineteen thirty eight on the Victor label. And Lionel Hampton
appeared on the nineteen fifty five version of Showtime at
the Apollo on six different episodes.
Speaker 5 (42:56):
And now.
Speaker 7 (42:58):
Just looking at the list. Here for a comedy relief
during Showtime at the Apollo, A blast from the past.
Nipsey Russell was on seven episodes. Some of you might
remember Mantan Morland. He did his comedy stick on five episodes.
(43:20):
Sarah Vaughan sung on five shows in the series. And
this guy and his orchestra grace the TV cameras on
four different appearances.
Speaker 18 (44:29):
Way down in Charleston lives Old Chi Joe.
Speaker 10 (44:41):
I'm going down to Charleston to digle Gichi Joe.
Speaker 2 (44:52):
Got a good old Gitchie urge.
Speaker 10 (44:55):
Can't do nothing.
Speaker 6 (44:56):
Else but go.
Speaker 18 (45:03):
Got misery misery again I got misery, mystery, nothing.
Speaker 13 (45:19):
But man.
Speaker 18 (45:26):
Gonna diggleich itch you to foodoo the Jimpson Blue.
Speaker 10 (45:37):
I gotta get back to Charleston. If I walk down
to Thrill road tracks, gonna.
Speaker 19 (45:49):
Rub my hand on a loadstone blue with Flo.
Speaker 10 (46:00):
You did, Joel came, get it Artifa will come in back.
Speaker 2 (46:30):
Coming home?
Speaker 18 (46:31):
You did? Joe come.
Speaker 7 (46:35):
From nineteen forty three the movie Stormy Weather on Okay Records, Geechee,
Joe Cab Callaway and his orchestra. I'm Jeff Bressler, and
we've been perusing the list of talented entertainers who appeared
on the original TV version of Showtime at the Apollo,
(46:59):
hosted by Willie Bryant. These great guys, the Delta Rhythm
Boys made three appearances on Showtime at the Apollo.
Speaker 20 (47:14):
What's the good of having money when you haven't got
your honey? I don't go out and walking. I ain't
for no talking. My baby done left me.
Speaker 6 (47:31):
And Rogin.
Speaker 20 (47:33):
Now if I had been scheming instead of just dreaming,
she never have left me. Justice and the Rogain now
said noaday without holding my baby. I'm such a lonely papa.
Speaker 9 (47:58):
I don't hurry.
Speaker 6 (48:00):
I'm come back.
Speaker 20 (48:01):
I'm a sage to blue my pop. If I don't
find me, I hope you remind that I'm staking where
she left mea and rockin all day. Never go walk again,
(48:26):
you never hear me talk again, And I guess I
never be the same baby Ji return, please act, ride
and give me a call.
Speaker 2 (48:42):
And I'm not we will have a fall you wi
wmen falled me?
Speaker 3 (48:49):
So baby?
Speaker 1 (48:51):
Won't you please come home?
Speaker 18 (49:10):
Steel?
Speaker 20 (49:11):
It's all blue now fails all blue?
Speaker 19 (49:14):
Now?
Speaker 6 (49:14):
What shall do?
Speaker 3 (49:16):
Now?
Speaker 20 (49:17):
Want to do?
Speaker 11 (49:18):
Now?
Speaker 2 (49:18):
My baby done left me, just us in and a rocking.
Speaker 1 (49:26):
Worry.
Speaker 20 (49:27):
If I don't find her, what, I hope you remind
her that I am stagging where she left me to
rock justice in land, rock all day, I said, And
rock and rocky and rock and rock in.
Speaker 5 (49:48):
The Rocking.
Speaker 7 (49:56):
One deck of records, Just a Sitting and a Rocking
by the Delta Rhythm Boys, recorded July the ninth, nineteen
forty five. And I think we have time, perhaps for
one more of the great talents that appeared on the
nineteen fifty five Showtime at the Apollo. Let me look
(50:19):
at the list here. What about the great Dinah Washington
who got her start in nightclubs in the nineteen forties.
I think she worked a little with Lionel Hampton, who
we played just a little while back. Dinah played several
times over her career at the Apollo Theater in Harlem,
(50:44):
and she was on the nineteen fifty five Showtime at
the Apollo TV show four times that year. And I'm thinking,
you know, it would be fun if I can find
a song that Dinah Washington perhaps recorded in fifty five,
which could possibly mean that she actually performed it on
the Willie Bryant hosted Showtime at the Apollo. Let me
(51:08):
go to this computer screen, look at Dinah Washington and
what she did in nineteen fifty five, and see if
I can grab a tune. Here's an album titled for
Those in Love that was released in nineteen fifty five.
I'm looking at the songs on that record. Let's see
(51:30):
if I could cleanly do this. I'm shooting for Dinah
Washington singing I get a kick out of You, the
Cold Porter standard from his wonderful nineteen thirty four show
Anything Goes Hang On. Let me give it a try.
Speaker 2 (51:54):
I get no kick from Champagne.
Speaker 18 (52:01):
Mera.
Speaker 15 (52:02):
Alcohol doesn't three me at all. So tell me, why
should it be true that I should get a kick
out of you. Some get a kick from Champagne. I'm
(52:30):
sure that if I took.
Speaker 2 (52:33):
Even one sip, that would bore me terrifically too. Yet
I get a kick out of you.
Speaker 4 (52:51):
I get a kick every time I see you standing
there before.
Speaker 2 (53:03):
Me, I get a kick.
Speaker 4 (53:08):
No, it's clear to me you obviously don't adore me.
Speaker 2 (53:19):
I get no kick in a plane flying too high
with some guy in the sky is my idea of
nothing to do. Yet I get a kick out of you.
Speaker 12 (54:00):
At about something.
Speaker 7 (54:38):
A well that worked out well Dinah Washington, I get
(55:15):
a kick out of you from a nineteen fifty five album,
which leads me to believe that perhaps she also sang
the tune on the nineteen fifty five version of Showtime
at the Apollo, And Folks, because I went through that
exercise with Dinah Washington, I let things get away from me.
Because I decided to add her, I will not have
(55:39):
time to play the segment that many of you really enjoy,
that being Lenny from Down the Blocks record pick of
the week. So perhaps I could double down on Lenny's
fine segments next week. Folks that is all the time
we have for this program. Really hope you enjoyed it.
(56:02):
To reach me, I'm Jeff at Makebelie Ballroom Radio dot com.
That's Jeff at MakeBelieve Ballroom Radio dot com. We put
all of our past radio programs into podcast form after
they are broadcast, and to hear past shows, go to
Jeff at MakeBelieve Ballroom Podcast dot com. That's Jeff at
MakeBelieve Ballroom Podcast dot com. Or visit your favorite podcast
(56:26):
provider and put make Believe Ballroom in the search. So friends,
until next week, this has been Jeff wrestler.
Speaker 2 (56:38):
I get a kick every time see you standing there
before me, I get a kick.
Speaker 6 (56:55):
Do it's clean to me?
Speaker 2 (56:59):
You obviously not a door. I got no kick.
Speaker 6 (57:09):
In a plane.
Speaker 21 (57:14):
Flying too high with some guy in the sky is
my do of nothing to do?
Speaker 20 (57:27):
Say I got a kick?
Speaker 14 (57:31):
You give me a boot.
Speaker 2 (57:35):
See I gotta kick out of you? Say I gotta
kick out of you? Yes, I got a kick out
of you.
Speaker 6 (57:48):
Ooo.
Speaker 2 (57:49):
I get a kick out of you. Yes, I do
get a kick out of you.
Speaker 12 (58:00):
Four
It's make believe ballroom time. Put all your cares away.
All the bands are here to bring good cheer your way.
It's make belief ballroom time and free to everyone.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
It's no time to friend your Dalis.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Said Bamba.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Yours.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Close your eyes and visual lize in your solitude.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Your favorite bands are on this dance.
Speaker 5 (00:49):
And mister Miller, but you're in the mood.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
It's make believe ballroom time. We are a sweet romance.
Speaker 6 (00:59):
Is to make believe.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Bob, come on till the last dass last.
Speaker 7 (01:05):
Hello world, I'm Jeff Bresler, turning on the lights of
the make Believe Ballroom and welcoming you into my crystal
studio for another program of classic big band hits from
the nineteen thirties and nineteen forties. Whether you're listening on
the radio via great affiliates like Jazz ninety point one
(01:27):
WGMC in Rochester, New York, or on a podcast, or
perhaps on internet radio in the United Kingdom, anyway you
have arrived. I'm delighted, so please get ready as I
spend for you some amazing big band jazz, swing, blues
and boogie woogie favorites. Folks, you're listening to the Make
(01:49):
Believe Ballroom, broadcasting almost continuously since nineteen thirty five. And
hello once again, folks, welcome to the show. Let's start
the victrola spinning right away with one by Dean Hudson
and his orchestra.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Than the the Border.
Speaker 7 (05:05):
On Okay Records, Holly Hop by Dean Hudson and his Orchestra,
recorded in New York City on August the nineteen forty one. Now,
Dean Hudson was actually born with the name Marion Ellsworth Brown.
(05:26):
So how did he become Dean Hudson. Well, that amazing
story after another by the Hudson Orchestra.
Speaker 8 (06:06):
The man.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Then alive.
Speaker 7 (08:16):
A hot swinger from Dean Hudson Parker Lund on that
wonderful drum solo Dean Hudson and his orchestra blitz Creek,
recorded on ok Records back in nineteen forty one. So friends,
before that record, I said that I would, well that
I would tell you the story of how one Marion
(08:39):
Ellsworth Brown became better known as Dean Hudson. And it's
a great story. So as the tale goes, the band
that Hudson led was originally formed back at the University
of Florida in the mid nineteen thirties. It was a
college band and they performed as the Clubmen. The first
(09:04):
leader of that band was a student at the University
of Florida named Eli Katz, and he used the name
Dean Hudson as his stage name.
Speaker 9 (09:16):
Well.
Speaker 7 (09:16):
When Katz graduated, another band leader needed to be chosen,
but under the conditions that were set forth by Katz,
one of those being that the new leader would have
to assume the Dean Hudson fictitious name. In nineteen thirty six,
(09:37):
the Clubmen, as a group chose Marion Brown to become
the new Dean Hudson, and the band recorded their first
records as Dean Hudson and the Florida Clubmen. Marion Brown,
who played trumpet and was a pretty good singer, he
retained the alias Dean Hudson for the rest of his career.
(10:00):
So one of the more interesting tales, Ladies and Gentlemen,
of how an individual in this case, Marion Brown came
up with his stage name.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Of everything.
Speaker 6 (11:56):
At All.
Speaker 7 (12:35):
Nothing, We just heard the smooth sounding Villia. Artie Shaw
(13:16):
and his orchestra recorded this one for Bluebird Records back
on January the seventeenth, nineteen thirty nine, in New York City.
So let's see here, Well, I played two by Dean Hudson,
So why not extend the same privilege and courtesy to
Artie Shaw for one more? Then when I return after
(13:41):
Artie a look at a multifaceted musician and entertainer.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Bastide to the sating.
Speaker 7 (16:24):
Making everything is jumping, And it certainly was a rousing
(18:57):
performance by Artie Shaw and Company, broadcast on the radio
from the Cafe Rouge of the Hotel Pennsylvania, New York
City on October the twentieth, nineteen thirty nine, that one
featuring Buddy Rich on the drums. Friends, I'm Jeff Presler,
and you're listening to the one, the only, the original
(19:21):
Make Believe Ballroom broadcasting almost continuously since nineteen thirty five.
And you can reach me at Jeff at MakeBelieve Ballroom
Radio dot com. That's Jeff at MakeBelieve Ballroom Radio dot com.
And well, maybe a little later on in the program
we can get to some of the emails that I
(19:41):
have received over the past week. Now, I mentioned prior
to that Artie Shaw double dip that I wanted to
tell you about a multifaceted musician, vocalist, bandleader and entertainer
who was beloved during the big band And his name
(20:01):
was Willie Bryant. And Willie was a trumpeter, big band leader,
He was a vocalist, a composer, and disc Jackie. Like
I said, the Chicago born Willy Bryant was indeed multifaceted.
WILLI formed his first band in nineteen thirty four, and
(20:22):
it took off right away, getting to the Lofty Heights
that year of Willy and Crue being booked into the
Savoy Ballroom, amongst other places. He quickly signed a record contract,
first with Victor and later with Decca Records. He scored
two big hits, Moonrise on the Lowlands and is it
(20:45):
true what they say about Dixie? What a wonderful tune
that is? I want to play both those for you
and then tell you about how Willy branched out after
he left the bandstand.
Speaker 5 (21:07):
Is it true what they.
Speaker 9 (21:08):
Say about Dixie? Does the sun really shine all the time?
Do the sweet Magnonius blossom at everybody's door?
Speaker 5 (21:19):
Do books keep on eating bosom.
Speaker 6 (21:21):
That they can't eat no more?
Speaker 9 (21:24):
Is it true what they say about Swanna?
Speaker 5 (21:28):
Is it dream by the stream so sublime?
Speaker 6 (21:32):
Do they laugh? Do they love?
Speaker 10 (21:34):
Like they say in every song?
Speaker 6 (21:36):
If it's true, that's where.
Speaker 11 (21:38):
I be all.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
Yeah, mean yeah?
Speaker 7 (23:11):
Is it true what they say about Dixie? Willie Bryant
and his Orchestra vocal by Willie himself, recorded on Bluebird Records,
April the ninth, nineteen thirty six. One More by Willie Bryant.
Speaker 6 (24:58):
When it's moved on the Lowland. You hear laughter from
eat Kevin Doll.
Speaker 5 (25:07):
When it's moon rise on the Lowland. The zufolks are
happy once more.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
What a nightfall we like?
Speaker 12 (25:20):
They gone.
Speaker 5 (25:22):
After picking cotton all day.
Speaker 9 (25:27):
Just listen to that congregation, just singing their cares all
the way.
Speaker 6 (25:37):
Up and down the delta underneath the shelter.
Speaker 12 (25:42):
Of a friendly guy.
Speaker 9 (25:47):
You see those nixy dandies dancing with their mandies.
Speaker 5 (25:51):
They got rhythm and religion and they're feeling kind of hide.
Speaker 6 (25:56):
When it's moon rise on the Lowland.
Speaker 5 (26:00):
H you'd be heaven lighting.
Speaker 13 (26:05):
Up the shore.
Speaker 5 (26:06):
When there's more light on the low line. Them's thus folks.
I have that once more, Yeah, yeah, they'll have it,
Yeah yeah.
Speaker 7 (27:01):
Willie Bryant and his Orchestra with his hit Moonrise on
the Lowlands. Will he also performing the vocal on this
one recorded by Bluebird Records April ninth, nineteen thirty six,
and that song was recorded at the same session in
which is It True what They Say about Dixie was
(27:24):
also recorded. So due to economic circumstances as we move
along through the nineteen thirties, Willie Bryant had to eventually
disband his band in nineteen thirty eight. At that time,
he decided to continue singing, but he also decided to
(27:47):
use his talent, of his gift for gab and his
great personality to become a rather popular radio disc jockey. Now,
Willie was also an early pioneer in television and maybe
I'm not sure, but I think he was the first
(28:07):
ever host of an all black program. In nineteen forty nine,
he hosted the weekly show Weekly show entitled Uptown Jubilee,
which was on the fledgling CBS television network at the time.
And after that, Willie went on to work at the
Apollo Theater as a long time beloved EMC there at
(28:29):
that Harlem venue. Now, many of you out there might
remember a TV show that was called Showtime at the
Apollo and it was hosted by a few folks, but
the most famous MC for that program, I guess you
would have to say it was Steve Harvey. The program
(28:51):
first aired in nineteen eighty seven, and then a revival
took place in twenty eighteen. And I call watching the
show in New York on NBC when it came on
after came on after Saturday Night Live. The program was
(29:12):
filmed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, and if you remember,
if you remember the show, it featured live performances from
both professionals and up and coming artists, and also featured
an amateur night competition. Now, that was a highly regarded series,
but it's forefather, the original Showtime at the Apollo, aired
(29:38):
in nineteen fifty five with Willie Bryant as the host.
And what better host than Willie since he lived and
breathed the live performances at the Apollo directly from that
historic stage as an MC which I just mentioned a
few moments ago. Now, many of you TV history buffs
(30:00):
or some of you as viewers might actually remember singing
the nineteen fifty five version of the show, and it
gave that show. The fifty five version gave a real
taste of what a performance at the Apollo must have
been like with the vocalists, comedians, bands, dancers and singing groups.
(30:24):
So why don't we take a little while to play
some records of guests who were featured on the nineteen
fifty five Willie Bryant version of Showtime at the Apollo.
Let's start with this one, and it's not too hard
to guess who this frequent guest on the show was.
Speaker 5 (30:54):
I don't want fredge potatoes, red rabbe tomatoes. I'm never satisfied.
I want the frim Fram sauce with the aw.
Speaker 6 (31:08):
Soun feed with Shill Fifa on the side.
Speaker 5 (31:15):
I don't want pork chops and baggon that water waken
my apple tide inside. I want the friend fram sauce
with the aw.
Speaker 6 (31:29):
Sun feed with Shill Fifa on the side. A fella
really got to eat and a fella shoot he rid five.
Speaker 13 (31:48):
We'll get you ten. I'm gonna feed myself right tonight.
I don't want fish cakes and rib red You heard
what I said.
Speaker 5 (32:03):
Wait to please serve my.
Speaker 8 (32:05):
Fried I want the frem Fram sauce with the aws.
Speaker 6 (32:11):
And feet with Shafifa on the side.
Speaker 5 (33:01):
A fella really got to eat.
Speaker 6 (33:06):
And a fella shoesy ride.
Speaker 5 (33:12):
Five will get you ten. I'm gonna feed.
Speaker 13 (33:17):
Myself right tonight. I don't want fish cakes and rye bread.
Speaker 5 (33:25):
You heard what I said.
Speaker 8 (33:28):
Wait to please serve my fried I want fram frown
sauce with thee or sunfish with chif.
Speaker 6 (33:39):
Fifa on the side.
Speaker 5 (33:50):
Now, if you don't have it, just bring me a
check for the water.
Speaker 7 (33:58):
From Capitol Records. The frim fram Sauce by the King
Cole Trio vocal by Nat king Cole, recorded October the eleventh,
nineteen forty five and Nat king Cole appeared on four
episodes of the original TV version of Showtime at the
(34:19):
Apollo back in nineteen fifty five. So, folks, the fifty
five Showtime at the Apollo, as I mentioned, was a
variety show. The Great Hoofer, the legendary tap dancer Bill Baily,
appeared on four episodes. Bill Bailey was the older brother
(34:40):
of the great songstress and comedian Broadway stage actress Pearl Bally,
and he Bill Bailey. He was a great friend of
Bill Bojangles Robinson, and he used to pack his act
with moves he learned from the great One. Now Bailey
(35:00):
appeared in the groundbreaking all black cast nineteen forty three
movie Cabin in the Sky. He did a dance move
in that film that became legendary and it really cemented
his fame as a tap dance star. Here's the song
(35:21):
from the movie, sung by Ethel Waters that Bill Bailey danced.
His famous move still used today.
Speaker 2 (35:35):
Rye goal again, I'm hearing trump. It's snow again.
Speaker 14 (35:42):
All alow again, taking a chance.
Speaker 11 (35:46):
On noe, ry slide again, about to take that ride again,
star ride again, taking a chance on love.
Speaker 2 (36:04):
I thought that cards were a frame up.
Speaker 6 (36:08):
That I never would try.
Speaker 15 (36:12):
But now I'm taking the game up, and the ace
of hearts is high.
Speaker 2 (36:20):
Things are mending now. I see a rainbow lending. Now
we'll have our happy ending. Now, taking a chance.
Speaker 14 (36:32):
On low.
Speaker 2 (36:35):
He I slip bugin.
Speaker 14 (36:38):
I'm gonna take that tip begin God.
Speaker 2 (36:43):
My grip bugin. Taking a chance.
Speaker 7 (36:47):
On no.
Speaker 16 (36:50):
No. I poove again that I can lake life move
again in the groove again, taking a chance on love.
Speaker 14 (37:05):
I'm walking around with a horseshoe and in.
Speaker 2 (37:09):
Clover eye line.
Speaker 14 (37:12):
Why, mister rabbit, of course you better kiss your foot goodbye.
On the ball again, I'm riding more a fall again.
I'm gonna give me again, taking.
Speaker 6 (37:32):
A chance on line.
Speaker 2 (37:51):
Here I sink again.
Speaker 17 (37:55):
I'm getting in the pink again, all the brink again,
taking a chance on love this game, I'm.
Speaker 6 (38:07):
Taking a cracket.
Speaker 11 (38:09):
Sean needs good luck with me, and so I'm taking
a whacket.
Speaker 2 (38:17):
Any blackcat that.
Speaker 5 (38:19):
I see.
Speaker 14 (38:22):
Why M booked again. I'm in the swim and hooked again.
This goose of mine is cooked again.
Speaker 2 (38:33):
Taking a chance one.
Speaker 7 (38:39):
Taking a chance on love. Ethel Waters vocal dance performed
by Bill Bailey also in the scene and also cutting
a rug won Eddie Rochester Anderson of Jack Benny fame,
and that scene can be viewed on YouTube. And in
that scene if you watch it for the first time ever,
(39:02):
Bill Baily did a dance move that affectionately became called
the moonwalk. The inventor of the moonwalk Bill Bailey, also
who frequently appeared on the nineteen fifty five edition of
Showtime at the Apollo and now I want to disc
(39:26):
well before I do that, come to think of it,
I'm just thinking about this. How interesting Bill Bailey did
the moonwalk on the stage of the Apollo Theater while
astronauts walked on the Moon via the Apollo spacecraft. What
an interesting coincidence. Friends who also appeared on the Willie
(39:48):
Bryant hosted Showtime at the Apollo. Well, let's have a listen.
Speaker 3 (40:13):
The Father.
Speaker 9 (41:00):
Didn't Kill Me.
Speaker 7 (42:34):
Lionel Hampton and his orchestra with the Benny Carter composed
I'm in the mood for Swing, recorded July the twenty first,
nineteen thirty eight on the Victor label. And Lionel Hampton
appeared on the nineteen fifty five version of Showtime at
the Apollo on six different episodes.
Speaker 5 (42:56):
And now.
Speaker 7 (42:58):
Just looking at the list. Here for a comedy relief
during Showtime at the Apollo, A blast from the past.
Nipsey Russell was on seven episodes. Some of you might
remember Mantan Morland. He did his comedy stick on five episodes.
(43:20):
Sarah Vaughan sung on five shows in the series. And
this guy and his orchestra grace the TV cameras on
four different appearances.
Speaker 18 (44:29):
Way down in Charleston lives Old Chi Joe.
Speaker 10 (44:41):
I'm going down to Charleston to digle Gichi Joe.
Speaker 2 (44:52):
Got a good old Gitchie urge.
Speaker 10 (44:55):
Can't do nothing.
Speaker 6 (44:56):
Else but go.
Speaker 18 (45:03):
Got misery misery again I got misery, mystery, nothing.
Speaker 13 (45:19):
But man.
Speaker 18 (45:26):
Gonna diggleich itch you to foodoo the Jimpson Blue.
Speaker 10 (45:37):
I gotta get back to Charleston. If I walk down
to Thrill road tracks, gonna.
Speaker 19 (45:49):
Rub my hand on a loadstone blue with Flo.
Speaker 10 (46:00):
You did, Joel came, get it Artifa will come in back.
Speaker 2 (46:30):
Coming home?
Speaker 18 (46:31):
You did? Joe come.
Speaker 7 (46:35):
From nineteen forty three the movie Stormy Weather on Okay Records, Geechee,
Joe Cab Callaway and his orchestra. I'm Jeff Bressler, and
we've been perusing the list of talented entertainers who appeared
on the original TV version of Showtime at the Apollo,
(46:59):
hosted by Willie Bryant. These great guys, the Delta Rhythm
Boys made three appearances on Showtime at the Apollo.
Speaker 20 (47:14):
What's the good of having money when you haven't got
your honey? I don't go out and walking. I ain't
for no talking. My baby done left me.
Speaker 6 (47:31):
And Rogin.
Speaker 20 (47:33):
Now if I had been scheming instead of just dreaming,
she never have left me. Justice and the Rogain now
said noaday without holding my baby. I'm such a lonely papa.
Speaker 9 (47:58):
I don't hurry.
Speaker 6 (48:00):
I'm come back.
Speaker 20 (48:01):
I'm a sage to blue my pop. If I don't
find me, I hope you remind that I'm staking where
she left mea and rockin all day. Never go walk again,
(48:26):
you never hear me talk again, And I guess I
never be the same baby Ji return, please act, ride
and give me a call.
Speaker 2 (48:42):
And I'm not we will have a fall you wi
wmen falled me?
Speaker 3 (48:49):
So baby?
Speaker 1 (48:51):
Won't you please come home?
Speaker 18 (49:10):
Steel?
Speaker 20 (49:11):
It's all blue now fails all blue?
Speaker 19 (49:14):
Now?
Speaker 6 (49:14):
What shall do?
Speaker 3 (49:16):
Now?
Speaker 20 (49:17):
Want to do?
Speaker 11 (49:18):
Now?
Speaker 2 (49:18):
My baby done left me, just us in and a rocking.
Speaker 1 (49:26):
Worry.
Speaker 20 (49:27):
If I don't find her, what, I hope you remind
her that I am stagging where she left me to
rock justice in land, rock all day, I said, And
rock and rocky and rock and rock in.
Speaker 5 (49:48):
The Rocking.
Speaker 7 (49:56):
One deck of records, Just a Sitting and a Rocking
by the Delta Rhythm Boys, recorded July the ninth, nineteen
forty five. And I think we have time, perhaps for
one more of the great talents that appeared on the
nineteen fifty five Showtime at the Apollo. Let me look
(50:19):
at the list here. What about the great Dinah Washington
who got her start in nightclubs in the nineteen forties.
I think she worked a little with Lionel Hampton, who
we played just a little while back. Dinah played several
times over her career at the Apollo Theater in Harlem,
(50:44):
and she was on the nineteen fifty five Showtime at
the Apollo TV show four times that year. And I'm thinking,
you know, it would be fun if I can find
a song that Dinah Washington perhaps recorded in fifty five,
which could possibly mean that she actually performed it on
the Willie Bryant hosted Showtime at the Apollo. Let me
(51:08):
go to this computer screen, look at Dinah Washington and
what she did in nineteen fifty five, and see if
I can grab a tune. Here's an album titled for
Those in Love that was released in nineteen fifty five.
I'm looking at the songs on that record. Let's see
(51:30):
if I could cleanly do this. I'm shooting for Dinah
Washington singing I get a kick out of You, the
Cold Porter standard from his wonderful nineteen thirty four show
Anything Goes Hang On. Let me give it a try.
Speaker 2 (51:54):
I get no kick from Champagne.
Speaker 18 (52:01):
Mera.
Speaker 15 (52:02):
Alcohol doesn't three me at all. So tell me, why
should it be true that I should get a kick
out of you. Some get a kick from Champagne. I'm
(52:30):
sure that if I took.
Speaker 2 (52:33):
Even one sip, that would bore me terrifically too. Yet
I get a kick out of you.
Speaker 4 (52:51):
I get a kick every time I see you standing
there before.
Speaker 2 (53:03):
Me, I get a kick.
Speaker 4 (53:08):
No, it's clear to me you obviously don't adore me.
Speaker 2 (53:19):
I get no kick in a plane flying too high
with some guy in the sky is my idea of
nothing to do. Yet I get a kick out of you.
Speaker 12 (54:00):
At about something.
Speaker 7 (54:38):
A well that worked out well Dinah Washington, I get
(55:15):
a kick out of you from a nineteen fifty five album,
which leads me to believe that perhaps she also sang
the tune on the nineteen fifty five version of Showtime
at the Apollo, And Folks, because I went through that
exercise with Dinah Washington, I let things get away from me.
Because I decided to add her, I will not have
(55:39):
time to play the segment that many of you really enjoy,
that being Lenny from Down the Blocks record pick of
the week. So perhaps I could double down on Lenny's
fine segments next week. Folks that is all the time
we have for this program. Really hope you enjoyed it.
(56:02):
To reach me, I'm Jeff at Makebelie Ballroom Radio dot com.
That's Jeff at MakeBelieve Ballroom Radio dot com. We put
all of our past radio programs into podcast form after
they are broadcast, and to hear past shows, go to
Jeff at MakeBelieve Ballroom Podcast dot com. That's Jeff at
MakeBelieve Ballroom Podcast dot com. Or visit your favorite podcast
(56:26):
provider and put make Believe Ballroom in the search. So friends,
until next week, this has been Jeff wrestler.
Speaker 2 (56:38):
I get a kick every time see you standing there
before me, I get a kick.
Speaker 6 (56:55):
Do it's clean to me?
Speaker 2 (56:59):
You obviously not a door. I got no kick.
Speaker 6 (57:09):
In a plane.
Speaker 21 (57:14):
Flying too high with some guy in the sky is
my do of nothing to do?
Speaker 20 (57:27):
Say I got a kick?
Speaker 14 (57:31):
You give me a boot.
Speaker 2 (57:35):
See I gotta kick out of you? Say I gotta
kick out of you? Yes, I got a kick out
of you.
Speaker 6 (57:48):
Ooo.
Speaker 2 (57:49):
I get a kick out of you. Yes, I do
get a kick out of you.
Speaker 12 (58:00):
Four
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.