HERB JEFFRIES
Genres: Pop, Art Song, Folk • United States

Herbert "Herb" Jeffries (born September 24, 1913 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American jazz and popular singer and actor currently living in southern California. He was the first black man to star in an American western. He starred as a singing cowboy in several all-black Western films. Jeffries first recordings were with Earl Hines And His Orchestra. (As of 2011 he is the sole surviving member.) Jeffries recorded with Duke Ellington from 1940 to 1942. His most famous song, "Flamingo", sold over 50 million copies. In June 2010, at age 95, Jeffries gave a performance to raise funds for the Oceanside, California Unified School District's music program accompanied by the Big Band Jazz Hall of Fame Orchestra under the direction of clarinetist Tad Calcara. from discogs