#866 (6/18/16 - 7/1/16)

SPOTLIGHT ON THE FOUR CLEFS

"The Jive Is Jumpin'" The Four Clefs on Bluebird B-8297-B released in 1939

"I Like Pie, I Like Cake" The Four Clefs on Bluebird B-8884-A released in 1941

"V-Day Stomp" The Four Clefs on Victor 20-1656-A released in 1945

Above: Clipping of The Four Clefs from The Billboard 1944 Music Year Book.

Click HERE for an article about The Four Clefs by Marv Goldberg.
(Will open in a separate window)

From The Billboard 1945-1946 Music Year Book.

From The Billboard 1946-1947 Encyclopedia Of Music. This clipping and the one just below are from the same volume. Notice the difference in the spelling of Cleffs/Clefs.

From The Billboard 1946-1947 Encyclopedia Of Music. This clipping and the one just above are from the same volume. Notice the difference in the spelling of Cleffs/Clefs.

EXTRA AUDIO (Windows Media Player):

Left: Label image for Bluebird B-8655-B recorded on December 5, 1940 and released in March 1941. The Four Clefs' personnel on this song are the original group of Melvin "Sonny" Chapman, William "Chappie" Chapman, Johnny "Happy" Green, and Jimmy Marshall. The Billboard Review (4/26/52): THE FOUR CLEFS - VICTOR (45) 47-4507 (Reissue).... Dig These Blues (71) The boys are effective on an instrumental etching of a routine blues tune. Piano and guitar spark the ork, backed by a big beat. (NOTE: A ratings range of 70-79 was considered "good.") Listen to "Dig These Blues" - The Four Clefs - Bluebird B-8655-B - 1941. [This is an instrumental.]

From Dixon Evening Telegraph (Dixon, IL), August 20, 1942.

From Decatur Daily Review (Decatur, IL), January 5, 1945.

From Muscatine Journal And News Tribune (Muscatine, IA), September 29, 1942.

From Pittsburgh Courier, December 26, 1942.

(LINKS FOR AD REFERENCES:    Walter Fuller    International Sweethearts    Variety Boys)

Above: Label images of Bluebird B-8297-B recorded on June 5, 1939 and released in November 1939 and Bluebird B-8884-A recorded on July 22, 1941 and released in December 1941.

The Four Clefs' personnel on these two sides are the original group of Melvin "Sonny" Chapman, William "Chappie" Chapman, Johnny "Happy" Green, and Jimmy Marshall.

Above: Label image of Victor 20-1656-A recorded on February 26, 1945 and released in April 1945.

The Four Clefs' personnel on this side are Melvin "Sonny" Chapman, Johnny "Happy" Green, Adam Cato, and Jack Martin.

The Four Clefs' recording career for Bluebird/Victor/RCA Victor started in 1939 and ended in 1945.

NOTE: Most discographical information provided at this website is from Ferdie Gonzalez' Disco-File.

Listen to this week's selections featuring The Four Clefs on Bluebird and Victor from 1939, 1941, and 1945:
[Audio restoration by Dave Saviet.]

A. Stream RealAudio (DO NOT USE...LISTEN USING DOWNLOAD REALAUDIO)...             1. The Jive Is Jumpin'           2. I Like Pie, I Like Cake           3. V-Day Stomp             ALL THREE played in sequence      B. Download RealAudio...             1. The Jive Is Jumpin'           2. I Like Pie, I Like Cake           3. V-Day Stomp      C. Stream/Download Media Player...             1.The Jive Is Jumpin'           2. I Like Pie, I Like Cake           3. V-Day Stomp             ALL THREE played in sequence           (The "m3u" file may need to be opened after it is downloaded)

The Billboard 1946-1947 Encyclopedia Of Music

      [To download audio files, right-click on link and then select "Save (Link) Target As..."]

This site is non-commercial. All information displayed is provided to further the general public's knowledge of RnB vocal group harmony.