Smith Ballew & Teddy Raph Orch. - Dream A Little Dream Of Me, 1931

Teddy Raph & His Orchestra, Vocal chorus by Smith Ballew -- Dream a Little Dream Of Me, Columbia 1931 (USA)

NOTE: I thought, Teddy RAPH was one of Smith Ballew's label nicknames until I found in the web a short information that Mr. Raph, Theodore Earl ("Teddy") really existed. He was a musical arranger and editor so quite possibly he also led his own orchestra (??). He was born in 1905 and died in 1991. Perhaps, someone can add someting to this very modest bio...?

Sykes ("Smith") BALLEW (b. in Palestine Texas in 1902--d. in Longview, Texas 1984). American singer, actor and bandleader. During his studies at the University of Texas from 1920 to 1922, he organized a jazz combo, Jimmie's Joys, in which he first played banjo and later became the vocalist. He continued with the combo after he left University to devote himself entirely to the musical career. In 1925 he formed The Texajazzers and also continued singing with a number of noted bandleaders, including Ted Weems, Hal Kemp, and Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. In 1929 he organized the Smith Ballew Orchestra, which highlighted his singing and which included associations with jazzmen such as Glenn Miller and Bunny Berigan. Ballew's recording career as vocalist and bandleader spanned some twenty years, during which he cut records for more than thirty labels, including OKeh, Victor, Brunswick, Columbia, and Decca. Thanks to his extremely attractive apearance, Ballew from 1936 to 1950 mixed his musical career with acting. In 1936, after moving to Hollywood he signed contract with Paramount Pictures and made his acting debut in the motion picture Palm Springs. Until 1951, he appeared in twenty-four films, primarily Westerns. However, after WW2 Ballew's career began to wade. In 1952 he moved to Fort Worth where, until his retirement in 1967 he worked in the aircraft industry.

Видео Smith Ballew & Teddy Raph Orch. - Dream A Little Dream Of Me, 1931 канала 240252