Composer, songwriter ("Take the 'A' Train", "One O'Clock Jump"), singer
and author Otho Lee Gaines was born in Buena Vista (near Houston),
Mississippi and studied at Langston University, where he was involved
in music programs. With the
Delta Rhythm Boys, he appeared on
radio and in South American tours, later acting in the Broadway
musicals "Sing Out The News", "Hot Mikado" and "Hellzapoppin" as well
as in films. By 1949, he was making annual tours of Europe, Israel,
North Africa, Japan and Canada. Joining ASCAP in 1949, his musical
collaborators included
Duke Ellington and
Count Basie, and some of his other
compositions include "Just Squeeze Me", "Just a-Sittin' and a-Rockin'",
"9:20 Special", "Hello, Goodbye, Forget It" and others.
Easy to Look At(1945)as Lee Gaines (as The Delta Rhythm Boys)
Reckless Age(1944)as Delta Rhythm Boys Member
Follow the Boys(1944)as Lee Gaines
Fellow Travelers(2023)
The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd(1987)
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling(1986)
The Muppet Show(1976)
Peter Gunn(1958)
Domino(1974)as Self
Le grand échiquier(1972)as Self