THE STORY BEHIND THE "DARKTOWN STRUTTERS BALL" SONG From www.harmonicdissidents.org/issue-3-columns/letters-issue-3/, posted by TheProf, January 11, 2012 [excerpt] "The “Darktown Ball” was, in fact, a real event, but it did not start out as being for the higher classes. It was originated by the ladies of the evening in the Darktown area of Chicago. They decided to create the ball as their way of showing that, for at least 1 night per year, they were just as good as everyone else. It was by invitation only and, over time, became THE most sought after ticket. Even the Major of Chicago could not attend without an invitation. The composer was Shelton Brooks, a black man who was celebrating the event and the fact that it had become such an important part of the city’s history..."
My grandma promised me, my bros and cousins, that every time we all meet up, that she would sing this to us. its been about 20 years, and she stills sings this to us several times a year, and we love it so much. Nostalgia CAN breach generation barriers.
These guys have great harmonies! Anyone who likes this should also check out the Mills Brothers' early work. Silver Threads, Life's Companion are classics.
Great music. Great acting! Very handsome people! BUT I came here because I am reading "God bless America" by Oliver Killens where this piece of music plays a role that disappoints the main character immensely. And right he is.
Please do! That kind of archive would be a family treasure! you could probably have them transferred to DVD now, if you can find a shop with the equipment. I recommend my cousin's place: Allen's Camera in Utah
Sony and INgrooves has blocked some of the other artists doing the Darktown Strutters' Ball. I recommend we stop doing buisness with Sony and INgrooves. Really enjoyed this selection.
It’s another example of “Political Correctness” destroying our culture. Music has been laid waste; our only chance at redemption is standup comedy like that of Dave Chappelle.
Yes. They used to be on Bing Crosby's radio show. Their lead singer, Billy Williams, broke off later and recorded as the Billy Williams quartet. He was great.
Cool music, and I LOVE the scat singing starting at 1:43. Pure comical/musical genius. But it's a shame that they had to use all light-skinned black women to make it "okay" for white audiences.
Thank you CZcams for giving music like this a home.
beautiful ladies!
great times!!!
Pure talent, American style!
Pure genius! We are blessed in that this clip has survived.
THE STORY BEHIND THE "DARKTOWN STRUTTERS BALL" SONG
From www.harmonicdissidents.org/issue-3-columns/letters-issue-3/, posted by TheProf, January 11, 2012 [excerpt]
"The “Darktown Ball” was, in fact, a real event, but it did not start out as being for the higher classes. It was originated by the ladies of the evening in the Darktown area of Chicago. They decided to create the ball as their way of showing that, for at least 1 night per year, they were just as good as everyone else. It was by invitation only and, over time, became THE most sought after ticket. Even the Major of Chicago could not attend without an invitation.
The composer was Shelton Brooks, a black man who was celebrating the event and the fact that it had become such an important part of the city’s history..."
My dad used to sing this to my sister and me. We loved it!
My grandma promised me, my bros and cousins, that every time we all meet up, that she would sing this to us. its been about 20 years, and she stills sings this to us several times a year, and we love it so much. Nostalgia CAN breach generation barriers.
Fantastic arrangement!
This........................is..............................GOLD
What a sound... such joy. :)
Soundies were great! Hot dang, how I do miss them!---Malcolm X, 1980, THIS WEEK magazine
She loved that!! She used to sing it to us all the time when we were kids
Beautiful performance
This is DOPE! Great pre-doo-wop!
How did I not hear this before?!?! 100% Pure Like.
+Mike Holland Ditto!
These guys have great harmonies! Anyone who likes this should also check out the Mills Brothers' early work. Silver Threads, Life's Companion are classics.
Great music. Great acting! Very handsome people!
BUT I came here because I am reading "God bless America" by Oliver Killens where this piece of music plays a role that disappoints the main character immensely. And right he is.
My mum used to sing this song a lot
brilliant memories of a happy childhood
Yes, same here!! 😊
great
Yes they are. I just checked. They were on Bing Crosby's Kraft Music Hall show with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra.
love this old P.F.!
Never heard this but I love it!!!
heard the tune in an ad and immediately recognized it.
Holy crap! The Charioteer with the biggest mustache looked like Giancarlo Esposito in School Daze!
Awesome!!!!!
No wonder people say they were born in the wrong generation... The other Black generations are so cool.
たのしい！！！
Please do! That kind of archive would be a family treasure!
you could probably have them transferred to DVD now, if you can find a shop with the equipment. I recommend my cousin's place: Allen's Camera in Utah
It's funny, the trumpet sounds like it has a mute in it, but it's open in the video ;)
Sony and INgrooves has blocked some of the other artists doing the Darktown Strutters' Ball. I recommend we stop doing buisness with Sony and INgrooves.
Really enjoyed this selection.
It’s another example of “Political Correctness” destroying our culture. Music has been laid waste; our only chance at redemption is standup comedy like that of Dave Chappelle.
❤️ 💕 ❤️
Fantastic!By the way,are these the same Charioteers that sang with John Scott Trotters orchestra in the 40's? Thanx, for posting!
makebelieveballroom 11 years later... and yes they are.
Thank God for newsreels.
Hi there, can I have your permission to reproduce a clip from this video as the soundtrack for a podcast intro?
Yeah the Trumpet is muted but they are lip syncing in this video. That actor clearly has never played a Trumpet in his life! Hahah
When people could actually sing.....
Jail Mates that were doing time in a Georgia Jail,they spent their time harmonizing! The Warden loved their singing so He had them signed to Columbia!
Wiki says they were put together at Wilberforce University in Ohio. 🤷♂️
What year is this from?
ha the face on 1:40
I wonder what year this was recorded?
I like this version on mortion picture,
than releared version.
This is just a great melody, forget the old lyrics or write some new ones. The sound is good.
I believe that is the Mills Brothers singing.
philip No, it’s The Charioteers.
lou monte did a version in italian
Who is here because they just watched THE MARY TYLER MOORE show clip. "Anna Maria Aberghetti in a taxi honey ... "
I remember when they did that joke (was it Lou or Murray?), but I didn't acquaint myself with the song until years later.
Was this an actual band? :)
Yes. They used to be on Bing Crosby's radio show. Their lead singer, Billy Williams, broke off later and recorded as the Billy Williams quartet. He was great.
Cool music, and I LOVE the scat singing starting at 1:43. Pure comical/musical genius. But it's a shame that they had to use all light-skinned black women to make it "okay" for white audiences.
Fantastic. Unbeatable version. But, it is a minstrel show, so we have to be cultural sensitive to the context. But an absolutely great rendition.
Marc Saxe uhh these guys are black so they aren't minstrels
I wonder what Dave Chappelle would say about this video haha