BILL JOHNSON And His Musical Notes - Pretty Eyed Baby (1947)

Description:
40s Jiver with Vocal Groups (Doo Wop Roots) Rhythm & Blues - RCA Victor Records 20-2235-A (1947) Written by Mary Lou Williams, William Johnson.
One of the finest groups you probably know nothing about is Bill Johnson and the Musical Notes. You may not be familiar with their music, but others were.
They recorded "Don't You Think I Ought To Know" six years before the Orioles, "How Would You Know" four years before the Robins, and "Dream Of A Lifetime" seven years before the Flamingos.

Who was Bill Johnson? William Luther Johnson was born in Jacksonville, Florida on September 30, 1912 (although a 1947 blurb incorrectly said it was 1913 in Georgia, before moving to Florida).
He came to New York in 1935 and spent a few months each with Baron Lee's Blue Rhythm Band and Tiny Bradshaw's Band.
Joining the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra in 1936 as a clarinetist and alto sax player, he also stood out as an arranger.
Along with Hawkins and tenor sax Julian Dash, he wrote the music to "Tuxedo Junction" in 1939 (words were added by Buddy Feyne).
As of 1952, ASCAP also credited him with writing "Dolomite" (which also had lyrics by Buddy Feyne) "Swingin' On Lenox Avenue", "Uptown Shuffle", and "Weddin' Blues."

More info : http://www.uncamarvy.com/MusicalNotes/musicalnotes.html

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