Swan silvertones discography

Melismata

Davis and his classmates, the Dixie Hummingbirds sang in local churches until they finished school, then started touring throughout the South. Lead singer Ira Tucker joined the group in at age 13, and they signed with Decca Records. In addition to his formidable vocal skills, Tucker introduced the energetic showmanship — running through the aisles, jumping off stage, falling to his knees in prayer — copied by many quartets that followed.

The group relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the s. The Hummingbirds added a guitarist, Howard Carroll, who added even more propulsive force to their high-flying vocals. The Hummingbirds absorbed much from other artists as well, performing with Lester Young in the s and sharing Django Reinhardt records with B. King in the s.

Tucker and the Hummingbirds inspired a number of imitators, such as Jackie Wilson and James Brown, who adapted the shouting style and enthusiastic showmanship of hard gospel to secular themes to help create soul music in the s. The group recorded for a number of different labels over the years, while touring the circuit of black churches and gospel extravaganzas.

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