Vocal Harmony by the Modernaires

The Modernaires with Paula Kelly

Source: Wikipedia

The Modernaires were a vocal swing group formed in 1935 as a high school trio called the Three Weary Willies that became Don Juan Two and Three. They aren't to be confused with the Mods which formed much later in 1957. Consisting of Bill Conway, Hal Dickinson and Chuck Goldstein, 'American Singing Groups: A History from 1940s to Today' by Jay Warner has them performing early on for WGR radio in Buffalo. Their initial notable performance was with Ted Fio Rito in Buffalo at the Glen Falls Casino. Wikipedia has transcriptions made with Fio Rito on unidentified dates. Singers has them recording at least one unidentified title in early 1936 with Red McKenzie's Mound City Blue Blowers including trumpeter, Bunny Berigan. There is no mention at Singers of anything issued, but Discogs has Dickinson recording with the Blowers on 8 January 1936 as Spooky Dickinson. Those titles were 'I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter', 'Mama Don't Allow It', '(If I Had) Rhythm In My Nursery Rhymes' and 'I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music'. Those were issued that year on the Champion label.

The Modernaires show up in Brian Rust ('Jazz and Ragtime Records 1897 – 1942') as the Barnet Modernaires for a session with Charlie Barnet in New York City on 3 August of 1936 to record 'Make Believe Ballroom' / 'Bye-Bye, Baby' (Bluebird B-6504). Later that month on 24 September 1936 they recorded 'Milkmen's Matinee' (Bluebird B-6593) [DAHR]. They also performed about that time with the Ozzie Nelson Band as the Three Wizards of Ozzie.

'Make Believe Ballroom'

Barnet Modernaires w Charlie Barnet's Glen Island Casino Orchestra

3 Aug 1936 in NYC   Matrix 102407-1   Bluebird B-6504

Barnet'a Modernaires: Bill Conway / Chuck Goldstein / Hal Dikenson

Trumpet: George Kennedy / Irving Goodman / Kermit Simmons

Trombone: Joe Hostetter / John Doyle / Sonny Lee

Clarinet / alto sax: George Vaughan / Don Morres

Tenor sax: Charlie Barnet (et al) / Willard Brady / Bob Parks

Piano: Horace Diaz   Guitar: Buford Turner

String bass: Sid Weiss   Drums: Billy Flanagan

Composition: Paul Denniker / Andy Razaf

'The Milkmen's Matinee'

Barnet Modernaires w Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra

24 Sep 1936 in NYC    Matrix 0541-1    Bluebird B-6593

Barnet'a Modernaires: Bill Conway / Chuck Goldstein / Hal Dikenson

Trumpet: George Kennedy / Irving Goodman / Kermit Simmons

Trombone: John Doyle / Sonny Lee

Clarinet / alto sax: George Vaughan / Don Morres

Tenor sax: Charlie Barnet (et al) / Willard Brady / Murray Williams

Piano: Horace Diaz   Guitar: Scoop Thomson

String bass: Sid Weiss   Drums: Billy Flanagan

Composition: Joe Davis / Paul Denniker / Andy Razaf

Per Singers the trio became a quartet upon adding Ralph Brewster to work with the Fred Waring Orchestra. The group then moved over to the band of George Hall by early 1937, issuing 'It's Swell of You' on Variety 526 as the Four Modernaires. Lord picks them up as the Modernaires with Paul Whiteman as early as 27 May for radio transcriptions including 'John Peel' eventually issued on Jazum 60 and Solid Sender 516 on unknown dates. Whiteman's was a busy orchestra with which the Modernaires performed numerously for radio. Lord's sessionography documents their first session with Whiteman for Decca on 9 September 1938 for such as 'I'm Comin' Virginia', (2145), 'I Used to Be Color Blind' (2073) and 'Jamboree Jones' (2074). Among notable titles with Whiteman was 'Jeepers Creepers' (Decca 2222) recorded on 8 December of 1938.

'It's Swell of You'

Four Modernaires w the George Hall Orchest

Four Modernaires: Bill Conway / Chuck Goldstein / Hal Dikenson / Ralph Brewster

25 March 1937 in NYC    Matrix M312    Variety VA 526

Composition: Harry Revel / Mack Gordon

'There's a Lull in My Life'

Four Modernaires w the George Hall Orchestra

Four Modernaires: Bill Conway / Chuck Goldstein / Hal Dikenson / Ralph Brewster

25 March 1937 in NYC    Matrix M313    Variety VA 526

Composition: Harry Revel / Mack Gordon

'Aunt Hagar's Blues'

Four Modernaires w Paul Whiteman and His Swing Wing

9 Sep 1938 in NYC    Matrix 64618-A    Decca 2145

Four Modernaires: Bill Conway / Chuck Goldstein / Hal Dikenson / Ralph Brewster

Trumpet: Charlie Teagarden

Trombone: Jack Teagarden (vocal) / Bill Rank / Hal Matthews

Clarinet / alto sax: Sal Franzella / Al Gallodoro

Clarinet / tenor sax:  Art Drellinger

Piano: Walter Gross   Guitar: Art Ryerson

String bass: Art Miller   Drums: Rollo Laylan   Arrangement: Bill Challis

Composition: W.C. Handy

'Darn That Dream'

Modernaires w Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra

21 Dec 1939    Matrix 66998    Decca 2937

Four Modernaires: Bill Conway / Chuck Goldstein / Hal Dikenson / Ralph Brewster

Trumpet: Bob Alexy / Bob Cusumano / Harry Goldfield / Charlie Teagarden

Trombone: Hal Matthews / Miff Mole / Buddy Morrow

Flute: Jack Bell / Vincent Capone / N.M. Farquharson

Alto sax: Sal Franzella (clarinet) / Al Gallodoro

Tenor sax: Art Drelinger

Violin: Fredric Fradkin / Julius Held / Leo Pevsner / Harry Struble

Piano: Frank Signorelli   Organ: Murray Cohan

Accordion: Joe Mooney   Guitar: Art Ryerson

Tuba: Norman McPherson   String bass: Artie Shapiro   Drums: George Wettling

Composition: Eddie DeLange / Jimmy Van Heusen

The Modernaires left Whiteman in 1940 to work with Glenn Miller, consequently Marion Hutton as well. Their first session with Miller is traced by Lord to 11 October 1940 to two takes of 'Make Believe Ballroom Time' issued individually on Bluebird 10913 and Victor EPA5035. That same session had Hutton putting down 'You've Got Me This Way' (Bluebird 10906). Ray Eberle sang two takes each of 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square' and 'I'd Know You Anywhere' (Bluebird 10906).

'Make Believe Ballroom Time'

Four Modernaires w the Glenn Miller (trombone) Orchestra

11 Oct 1940 in NYC    Matrix BS-056479    Bluebird B-10913

Four Modernaires: Bill Conway / Chuck Goldstein / Hal Dikenson / Ralph Brewster

Trumpet: Dale "Mickey" McMickle / Charles Frankhauser / Zeke Zarchy / John Best

Trombone: Paul Tanner / Jimmy Priddy / Frank D'Annolfo

Reeds: Hal McIntyre / Wilbur Schwartz / Ernie Caceres / Tex Beneke / Al Klink

Piano: Chummy MacGregor   Guitar: Jack Lathrop

String bass: Trigger Alpert   Drums:  Maurice Purtill

Composition: Harold Green / Martin Block / Mickey Stoner

'People Like You and Me'

Modernaires w the Glenn Miller (trombone) Orchestra

From 'Orchestra Wives' filmed April-June 1941 for release on 4 Sep 1942

Modernaires: Bill Conway / Chuck Goldstein / Hal Dikenson / Ralph Brewster

Vocals: Marion Hutton / Ray Eberle / Tex Beneke

Trumpet: Billy May / John Best / Wade McMickle / George Montgomery dubbing for Bobby Hackett

Trombone: Jimmy Priddy / Paul Tanner / Frank D'Annolfo

Reeds: Tex Beneke / Ernie Caceres / Skip Martin / Al Klink / Willie Schwartz

Piano: Chummy MacGregor   Guitar: Jack Lathrop

String bass: Jackie Gleason dubbing for Trigger Alpert   Drums: Maurice "Moe" Purtill

Composition: Harry Warren / Mack Gordon

'I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo'

Modernaires w the Glenn Miller (trombone) Orchestra

From 'Orchestra Wives' filmed April-June 1941 for release on 4 Sep 1942

Modernaires: Bill Conway / Chuck Goldstein / Hal Dikenson / Ralph Brewster

Vocals: Marion Hutton / Tex Beneke

Trumpet: Billy May / John Best / Wade McMickle / George Montgomery dubbing for Bobby Hackett

Trombone: Jimmy Priddy / Paul Tanner / Frank D'Annolfo

Reeds: Tex Beneke / Ernie Caceres / Skip Martin / Al Klink / Willie Schwartz

Piano: Chummy MacGregor   Guitar: Jack Lathrop

String bass: Jackie Gleason dubbing for Trigger Alpert   Drums: Maurice "Moe" Purtill

Dancing: Nicholas Brothers

Composition: Harry Warren / Mack Gordon

Paula Kelly who was Dickenson's wife was hired by Miller in 1941 to fill in for Hutton during a leave of absence. She is first found with the Modernaires in Lord's circa March 24 in Hollywood to record 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' with Miller for the film, 'Sun Valley Serenade'. March 25 brought the first of numerous appearances on the CBS radio program, 'The Chesterfield Show'. Kelly and the Modernaires transcribed such as 'La Cucaracha' on on that date (25 March) toward eventual issue on Ajazz C-2125. Kelly and the Modernaires recorded 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' again on 7 May 1941 for issue on Bluebird 11230. Another of their favorites to perform was 'Perifida', one such occasion for 'The Chesterfield Show' on 3 June 1941 to see later issue in 1953 on Victor EPNT 6700. Lord has Kelly with the Modernaires on 'The Chesterfield Show' to as late as August 1941 to perform 'The Hut-Sut Song'.

'I Know Why'

Four Modernaires w Paula Kelly and the Glenn Miller (trombone) Orchestra

7 May 1941 in Hollywood    Matrix 061246-1    Bluebird B-11230

Four Modernaires: Bill Conway / Chuck Goldstein / Hal Dikenson / Ralph Brewster

Composition: Harry Warren / Mack Gordon

Hutton's return to Miller's orchestra brought numerous performances with the Modernaires of 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' for 'The Chesterfield Show' and otherwise, some transcribed to later issue, some to unknown fate. Lord finds their first such occasion per an NBC broadcast of 'Cafe Rouge' from the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City on 22 November 1941, eventually released on Soundcraft 1011 and Ajazz C-2129. Hutton was working with the Modernaires when Miller disbanded his orchestra to join the Army in 1942 (to die December 1944 in flight over the English Channel). She departed the Modernaires in 1943, Kelly to replace her again.

'Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree'

Modernaires w the Glenn Miller (trombone) Orchestra

Vocal: Marion Hutton / Tex Beneke

18 Feb 1942 in NYC   Matrix BS-071861   Bluebrd B-11474

 Modernaires: Bill Conway / Chuck Goldstein / Hal Dikenson / Ralph Brewster

Trumpet: Johnny Best / Steve Lipkins / Billy May / Dale "Mickey" McMickle

Trombone: Frank D'Annolfo / Jimmy Priddy / Paul Tanner

Reeds: Tex Beneke / Ernie Caceres / Al Klink / Skip Martin / Wilbur Schwartz

Piano: Chummy MacGregor   Guitar: Bobby Hackett

String bass: Doc Goldberg   Drums:  Maurice Purtill

Composition: Sam Stept / Lew Brown / Charles Tobias

Upon Miller disbanding his orchestra in 1942 Goldstein left the Modernaires to be replaced by Jimmy Blair. Blair was replaced about a month later by Johnny Drake. The Modernaires issued their popular 'There! I've Said It Again' in 1945 prior to Conway leaving the group in 1946, replaced by Fran Scott in June. The Modernaires' heydays were in the latter forties, releasing their strongest titles during that period:, 'To Each His Own' (best-selling title overall 1946), 'Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah' (1947) and 'The Old Master Painter' (1949), the last recorded with Frank Sinatra toward Columbia 38650. During that time Alan Copeland replaced Brewster until 1956, joined again from 1959 to c 1965 and later at times obcsure into the new millennium.

'To Each His Own'

The Modernaires w Paula Kelly and the Mannie Klein Orchestra

June 1946 in Hollywood    Matrix HCO1884    Columbia 37063

Composition: Ray Evans / Jay Livingston

'The Way the Twig is Bent'   The Modernaires w Paula Kelly

From the film 'Home In San Antone' released 15 April 1949

Directed by Ray Nazarro

Modernaires: Fran Scott / Hal Dickinson / Johnny Drake / Alan Copeland

Composition: Allan Roberts / Doris Fisher

IMDb   Wikipedia

Discogs has the Modernaires issuing an album on 10" as early as 1953: 'Tributes in Tempo'. 'Vocally Yours' followed in 1954. Their release of 'Juke Box Saturday Night' on 10" also saw issue on LP in 1956 [RYM 1955]. Come 'Modern Aires' on LP in 1956. Several albums would follow, though in 1966 Kelly was replaced by her daughter, Paula Kelly Junior, until her return in 1971. During that time 'The Modernaires Sing the Great Glenn Miller Instrumentals' was released in 1968.

'Dum Dot Song'   Paula Kelly w Bob Crosby   Television

1953   CBS 'Bob Crosby Show'

Composition: Julian Kay

'Only You (and You Alone)'   The Modernaires w Paula Kelly

10 April 1956 in Los Angeles   L 9139   Coral C 91205 / CRL-57063

Composition: Buck Ram

'Ninety-Eight Cents'   The Modernaires w Paula Kelly

11 June 1956 in Los Angeles   L 9294   Coral 9-61674

Composition: Milton DeLugg / Allen Roberts / Lou Weiss

'Down By the Riverside'   The Modernaires w Paula Kelly   Television

8 May 1960   'George Gobel Show'   L 9294   Coral 9-61674

Composition: Anonymous spiritual pub 1918

'Glenn Miller Medley'   The Modernaires w Paula Kelly / Ray Eberle / Tex Beneke

Television   16 Feb 1962   'Bell Telephone Hour'

The Modernaires: Alan Copeland / Vernon Polk / Chuck Kelly / Hal Dickinson

'remember The Modernaires'   The Modernaires w Paula Kelly   Album

Abridged 1977 issue of 'Like Swung' of 1960

See Fontana 6430 113

'A Taste of Honey'   The Modernaires w Paula Kelly and Alan Copeland conducting

From the 1966 album 'The Mods Salute Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass'

See CBS SBP 233330

Composition: Bobby Scott / Ric Marlow

Kelly continued with the Modernaires to 1978 when she retired, again replaced by her daughter, Paula Kelly Junior. By this time the Modernaires were beginning to slip into obscurity. Copeland has or would return as a member and was yet a Modernaire with Paula Kelly Junior when she died in 2012, at which time he transformed the Modernaires into his Alan Copeland Singers, a group he had first formed back in the sixties. Dickinson had died in 1970, Goldstein in 1974. Hutton passed away in 1987, Conway in 1991, Kelly in 1992 and Kelly Junior in 2012. The Modernaires were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000.