Della Griffin: Jazz and R&B Pioneer (Part 1)

Della Griffin, a legendary jazz singer and one of the“Illinois” Jacquet (1922-2004), renowned
first female drummers, was born the 19th child out ofjazz saxophonists, and performed at the Apollo, The
20 on June 12, 1925 in Newbury, South Carolina toHoward, The Royal, and made appearances in
William and Mary Gilliam. Though born in the south,Lexington, KY, Little Rock, AK, Mobile, AL, New
Della Griffin grew up in Jamaica, Queens, NY.Orleans, LA (a legendary R&B and jazz city), as
As a child, Della Griffin took an early interest inwell as in the Canadian cities of Toronto and Quebec
entertainment. She devoutly listened to big bandCity, the latter where they also sang in French.
singers and jazz tunes each day on the radio. SheBy this time, Gloria Alleyne who became known as
began dance lessons when she was 8 and took upGloria Lynne, had aspirations for her own stardom. She
singing, which became her ultimate love, three yearsleft the Dell-Tones during the summer and signed on
later, after her brother-in-law, a trumpeter gave her awith a management team led by DJ Stan Pat of
Billie Holiday (1915-1959) (whom later with her husband,WTTM in Trenton, NJ and Jubilee Records.
became a close friend) record. Upon receiving the BillieSubsequently, Gloria Alleyne had several successes
Holiday record, Della “immediately reallocated herincluding her hit song, “I Wish You Love,”
weekly allowance from paying for movies to buying allwhich peaked at #28 on the charts in 1964. She was
of Holiday’s records as well as records byreplaced by Shirley “Bunny” Foy.
William “Count” Basie (1904-1984), CharlieMore turmoil followed when Sherry Gary who had
Barnet (1913-1991) and other swinging big bands of thecome with Gloria Alleyne from the Dorsey Sisters, also
day.”[1]decided to leave. Yet the Dell-Tones went on,
In addition, because of her passion for singing, Dellareplacing Gary with Renée Stewart, who had
Griffin frequently sang the latest songs around thebeen a gospel singer since she was five (having sung
house. She especially loved to sing in front ofwith the 3 Chimes, with her sister Beverly and Lily Mae
company and guests. It was a habit she carried intoBelle while attending P.S. 99 in the Bronx, NY) and a
old age. As a result, her foster children were blessedmember of a “short-lived female group, The
to hear special renditions of “Today Is YourSolirettes.”[14] It should be noted that
Birthday,” the title song of her first release, eachRenée Stewart had decided to audition at the
birthday.last minute while accompanying a friend, Vicki Burgess,
Tragically when Della Griffin was 12, her younger sister,to the group’s trials.
Nancy, the family’s 20th child, contractedBy the summer of 1955, Della Griffin’s original
pneumonia and died. Yet Della persevered. Her lovepartner, Frances Kelly also left with family taking
for music and dreams of becoming a performerpriority over music. She was replaced by Algie Willie.
remained undiminished.The Dell-Tones then signed with Sol
Within a few years, after graduating with the Class ofRabinowitz’s Baton records, one of the first
‘43 from Jamaica High School (JHS) in Queens,labels to put out a full-length R&B album, where
NY, Griffin began singing professionally. She performedthey recorded four singles – “Don’t
in local clubs and dance halls in South Carolina. UponBe Long,” “Baby Say You Love Me,”
discovering the enthusiastic interest her performances“My Special Love,” and “Believe
commanded in the segregated south, Della in searchIt” with Della performing as lead vocalist
of an even bigger audience, returned to New Yorkaccompanied by Maurice Simon’s tenor sax.
where she and Frances Kelly decided to create aShortly after the release of their first Baton Records
group in 1950. Per Della Griffin, “I always likedsingle that featured “Don’t Be Long”
show business. I liked Billie Holiday. I was working withand “Baby Say You Love Me,” the
another girl [in a factory that manufactured shoulderDell-Tones were invited to The Godfrey Show in
pads.”[2]] and we decided to put a groupPhiladelphia, PA, where they anticipated performing
together and sing. Any place they would let us sing,“Baby Say You Love Me.” Instead, the
we would sing.”[3]Dell-Tones were told they couldn’t sing any of
Afterwards, they recruited three additional members,their songs because “they sounded too
Chris Towns, a mutual friend of theirs who was awhite.” Having been assigned a song they were
pianist and songwriter, Pearl Brice, a childhood friend ofnot interested in, “their hearts weren’t into
Della’s, and Rachel Gist, “a Harlem clubit… [and thus] they didn’t give it their
soloist.” They named their group the Enchanters,all.” “That’s not what we were about,
which in 1951 became one of the first female R&Bso of course we didn’t win,” Della Griffin
groups “paving the way for [such famouslater recounted.[15]
female groups as] the Hearts, the Bobbettes, theIn December 1955, Gloria Alleyne Lynne’s new
Chantels and the Shirelles.”[4]manager, Stan Pat signed the Dell-Tones and brought
With the group in place, Della Griffin performed as thethem back under the fold of Shaw Artists Corporation
lead singer, Francis Kelly sang bass, Pearl Brice alto,for bookings. The Dell-Tones then began a weeklong
and Rachel Gist, the youngest at 17, soprano, whiletour on December 30, 1955 at the Apollo, performing
Chris Towns played the piano and produced many ofalongside Sonny Til and the Orioles, before returning to
their songs. During their existence, the EnchantersThe Royal along with saxophonist Illinois Jacquet on
“booked themselves into every venue availableFebruary 3, 1956. This was followed by Baton’s
to them”[5] impressing one club so much that itrelease of “My Special Love” and
even invited them to hold rehearsals in their building“Believe It” in March 1956.
during off-hours.A month later, the Dell-Tones toured Canada where
As the Enchanters’ success grew, Della took athey performed at the Flamingo Club in Hamilton and
bold step in inviting Jerry Blaine (1910-1973), owner ofthe Esquire Show Bar in Montreal. In addition to her
Jubilee Records and label of “thesinging, Della Griffin also played the drums while Chris
Orioles,”[6] a male music group, to attend one ofTown, the pianist also sang. At the same time, the
their performances in November 1951. “Intriguedgroup also added a second saxophonist, Frank
at the thought of a female group,” Blaine agreedHenderson, to assist Illinois Jacquet. Yet Della Griffin
and attended their concert at Showman’s clubremained “the only lead.” “The others
(next to the famed Apollo theater on 125th Street inwere lazy… When I got sick before an
Harlem, NY) where he listened to them performappearance and couldn’t sing, no one else would
“I’ve Lost.” He was immediatelydo it,” she reflected back to the time when the
impressed and invited the group to sign a contract theDell-Tones had to cancel a show. “We had to
following day. Recording began within a week withcome home without appearing.” [16]
“Today Is Your Birthday,” a sentimentalThe Dell-Tones next appeared for the opening of Club
love song which had been given to them by Blaine andBasin Street in Miami’s Hotel Sir John for a four
had been previously performed by the Sugartonesweek engagement starting May 16, 1956 where they
(Onyx label), “How Could You Break Myreplaced Frank Henderson with Gloria Bell, who had
Heart,” “I’ve Lost,”played for “Duke” Ellington, as bassist. This
“Housewife Blues,” and “Youproved to be the group’s last gig since a
Don’t Know I’m Not In Love Withscheduled 11-week summer engagement at Club
You.” Della Griffin was the lead singer in all fiveHarlem in Atlantic City was cancelled after Gloria Bell
songs, with bandleader Buddy Lucas providing maleand Renée Stewart (the latter who eventually
vocals in “Today Is Your Birthday.”wrote “the celebrated R&B street anthem
With the recordings completed in one session on‘I Call To You’[17]) left “to get
November 28, 1951, Jubilee Records included “themarried and settle down,”[18] followed by Chris
Enchanters’ as ‘Something New &Town who went on to work as a Broadway
Different!’”[7] in their 1951 Christmas tradeproducer. It also did not help that their latest release,
ad that included its list of performers, most notably thethe “My Special Love/Believe It” single
Orioles, Buddy Lucas, Edna McGriff, and Earlington Carlfloundered after showing early promise in Philadelphia,
Tilghman (1928-1981) known as “Sonny Til,”PA and Virginia.
who became a good friend of Della’s. This wasAfterwards, because of Della’s close friendship
even before Jubilee Records introduced thewith Sonny Til, whom she took in and cared for, for
Enchanters and announced who they were just afterthe last two years of his life, the remnants of the
New Year’s Day in 1952 when they releasedDell-Tones and his Orioles merged. The new group
the group’s first record featuring “Today Isconsisting of Della Griffin, Sonny Til, pianist Paul Griffin
Your Birthday” and “How Could Youwho became Della’s second husband, Diz
[Break My Heart],” a blues/rock song.Russell, Jerry Holeman, Aaron “Tex”
Fueled by the positive critical acclaim and success ofCornelius, Billy Adams, Shirley “Bunny” Foy,
their single, the Enchanters began touring the country.Renée Stewart who returned, and Algie Willie,
They performed at theaters “on The Chitlinproduced two singles, “Voices Of Love”
Circuit”[8] and at the Apollo in New York City,and “I’m So Lonely” in June 1957 and
The Howard in Washington, D.C., and The Royal inmade several appearances in New York City clubs.
Baltimore, MD. Everywhere the Enchanters went theyHowever, by the end of 1957, this group, The Kings
received an enthusiastic positive response. As a result,And Queens, had also fallen apart. Della Griffin then
Shaw Artists Corporation signed on to represent themwent out on her own performing with an organist and
in March 1952.saxophonist. At times she shared the stage with singer
Jubilee Records released the Enchanters’Etta Jones (1928-2001), a Grammy® nominee who
second record in April 1952 that consisted ofwent on to her own success following her hit single,
“I’ve Lost” and “Housewife“Don’t Go To Strangers.”
Blues.” It was met with “a comparableDella’s music career came to a decade-long
reception.”[9]hiatus starting in 1961 when she married Paul Griffin
With their success, Della Griffin and the Enchanterswho wanted her to devote time to family matters.
performed as part of the Amsterdam News’“When I married Paul, he wanted me to take
15th Annual Midnight Benefit Show (for thetime off,” Della Griffin stated during an interview.
newspaper’s charitable fund) on December 12,However the hiatus was not permanent since
1952, appearing with “Milton Berle (1908-2002),Della’s second marriage did not endure.
Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996), Aaron ‘Red“After we broke up, I started making the rounds
Buttons’ Chwatt (1919-2006), ‘Duke’again. I was scheduled to sing at The Blue Book on
Ellington (1899-1974), Arnett Cobb (1918-1989), Billy146th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue (in New York
Eckstine (1914-1993), Vito ‘Vic’ Damone (b.City), for two weeks and wound up staying for
1928),”[10] etc. In addition, the Enchanters’years,” she added.[19]
who felt that they “were not receiving the~Continued in Part 2~
attention afforded [to Jubilee’s] male groups like__________________
The Orioles [and] The Marylanders”[11] left the[1] Della Griffin. Musicmatch®, Inc. 2004. 3 August
label.2006. [
Then to compound matters, Rachel Gist who had[2] Marv Goldberg. Marv Goldberg’s R&B
entered into a troubled marriage that bore her twoNotebooks: The Enchanters/Delltones. 2004. 4 August
children, and Pearl Brice, also married, decided to quit2006. [
the group, with the latter choosing to become a[3] John Clemente. Girl Groups. (Krause Publications.
housewife. By this time, Della Griffin was married toIola, WI., USA. 2000) 86.
her first of three husbands, Jimmy Simpson, who had[4] Marv Goldberg. Marv Goldberg’s R&B
been managing her group.Notebooks: The Enchanters/Delltones. 2004. 4 August
Despite the adversity, Della Griffin and Frances Kelly2006. [
were determined to continue. They chose Gloria[5] John Clemente. Girl Groups. (Krause Publications.
Alleyne (b. 1931) and Sherry Gary of the DorseyIola, WI., USA. 2000) 86.
Sisters, a relatively new female group, to replace Gist[6] Marv Goldberg. Marv Goldberg’s R&B
and Brice, respectively. They then renamed their groupNotebooks: The Enchanters/Delltones. 2004. 4 August
the Dell-Tones after Della Griffin their lead singer and2006. [
drummer, the first female with such a role in a[7] Marv Goldberg. Marv Goldberg’s R&B
well-known group.Notebooks: The Enchanters/Delltones. 2004. 4 August
Following this, Della’s husband, Jimmy Simpson2006. [
got them a record deal with Brunswick Records[8] John Clemente. Girl Groups. (Krause Publications.
where they recorded “My Heart’s OnIola, WI., USA. 2000) 88.
Fire” and “Yours Alone” that[9] John Clemente. Girl Groups. (Krause Publications.
prominently featured Griffin as the lead vocalist andIola, WI., USA. 2000) 88.
Gloria Alleyne as the second lead and bridge,[10] Marv Goldberg. Marv Goldberg’s R&B
respectively on June 3, 1953. The record was releasedNotebooks: The Enchanters/Delltones. 2004. 4 August
a month later.2006. [
The Dell-Tones then performed for a week at[11] John Clemente. Girl Groups. (Krause Publications.
Harlem’s Baby Grand (near the Apollo) inIola, WI., USA. 2000) 88.
December 1953, working with comedian Julius[12] Marv Goldberg. Marv Goldberg’s R&B
“Nipsey” Russell (1918-2005), a resident actNotebooks: The Enchanters/Delltones. 2004. 4 August
dubbed “The Playboy of Harlem.”[12]2006. [
Shortly afterwards, dissatisfied with their lack of[13] John Clemente. Girl Groups. (Krause Publications.
releases, the Dell-Tones left Brunswick Records andIola, WI., USA. 2000) 89.
signed on with Eddie Heller’s Rainbow records,[14] John Clemente. Girl Groups. (Krause Publications.
where they recorded “I’m Not In LoveIola, WI., USA. 2000) 89.
With You” (released in April 1954) and[15] John Clemente. Girl Groups. (Krause Publications.
“Little Short Daddy.” As usual, Della GriffinIola, WI., USA. 2000) 89.
was the lead singer on both tracks while background[16] Marv Goldberg. Marv Goldberg’s R&B
music was provided by the Kelly Owens Orchestra.Notebooks: The Enchanters/Delltones. 2004. 4 August
Afterwards Della Griffin and the Dell-Tones embarked2006. [
on a 43-day tour with Jimmy Forrest (1920-1980) on[17] John Clemente. Girl Groups. (Krause Publications.
the “Night Train Tour,” which also includedIola, WI., USA. 2000) 89.
R&B “luminaries Granville ‘Stick’[18] Marv Goldberg. Marv Goldberg’s R&B
McGhee (1917-1961) known asNotebooks: The Enchanters/Delltones. 2004. 4 August
‘Spo-Dee-O-Dee’ and Jimmy Smith2006. [
(1928-2005).”[13] They also sang for[19] John Clemente. Girl Groups. (Krause Publications.
performances by the Kangaroos, a dance troupe,Iola, WI., USA. 2000) 89.
alongside Arnett Cobb and Jean-Baptiste