Harry Barris facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Harry Barris
Barris in 1932
Background information
Born	(1905-11-25)November 25, 1905 New York City, New York, United States
Died	December 13, 1962(1962-12-13) (aged 57) Burbank, California, United States
Genres	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Vocalist, Composer, Pianist
Instruments	Piano, Vocal and Bass
Associated acts	Gus Arnheim, Duke Ellington, Jimmie Grier, The Rhythm Boys, Paul Whiteman

Harry Barris (born November 24, 1905 – died December 13, 1962) was an American singer and songwriter. He was known for his unique singing style called "scat singing". This is where a singer uses sounds instead of words.

Harry Barris was part of a famous group called The Rhythm Boys. He sang alongside Bing Crosby and Al Rinker. They used scat singing in many songs, including "Mississippi Mud", which Harry Barris wrote in 1927.

Harry Barris's Early Life and Music Career

Harry Barris was born in New York City. He grew up and went to school in Denver, Colorado. By the age of 14, Harry was already a professional pianist. He even led his own band that toured in Asia when he was just 17 years old.

In 1925, Harry married Hazelle Thompson. They had a daughter named Hazelle Barris in 1926.

Forming The Rhythm Boys

In 1926, Harry played piano and sometimes sang in Paul Ash's orchestra. Around the same time, Al Rinker and Bing Crosby joined Paul Whiteman's Orchestra as a singing duo. However, when they performed in a huge theater in New York, they couldn't be heard without microphones. So, they were quickly removed from the show.

A band member who knew Harry Barris suggested they add him to their group. This led to the creation of The Rhythm Boys in April 1927.

Life After The Rhythm Boys

In 1930, Harry Barris and Hazelle Thompson divorced. The Rhythm Boys also left Paul Whiteman's group that same year. They then joined Gus Arnheim's Orchestra at the Cocoanut Grove. They recorded one more song together, "Them There Eyes", in November 1930.

The group decided to go their separate ways in May 1931. However, Harry Barris returned to the Cocoanut Grove to finish his contract. He joined Arnheim's singing group called The Three Ambassadors. There, he met Loyce Whiteman, who also sang with the orchestra. They got married in 1931. They had a daughter named Marti Barris, who also became a musician. Harry and Loyce divorced in 1946.

Harry Barris in Movies

Harry Barris appeared in 57 films between 1931 and 1950. He usually played a band member, a pianist, or a singer. He appeared in seven movies that starred Bing Crosby.

In 1932, Harry Barris signed a contract to star in six short films. His first short film was called That Rascal. He also had a small but memorable role in the movie The Lost Weekend (1945). In this film, he played a nightclub pianist.

Harry Barris showed his funny side in the movie The Fleet's In (1942). He played a small sailor named Pee Wee who often used the wrong words in a funny way.

Later Life and Legacy

During World War II, Harry Barris traveled overseas with entertainer Joe E. Brown to perform for the troops. This helped to entertain and boost the spirits of soldiers far from home.

In March 1961, Harry Barris broke his hip in a fall. Despite having several operations, his health got worse. He passed away in Burbank, California, at the age of 57. A song he wrote, "Never Been So Lost," was published shortly before he died.

Songs Written by Harry Barris

Harry Barris wrote many songs throughout his career. Here are some of his compositions:

• "Hong Kong Dream Girl" (1924), with George E. Springer
• "'Tain't Cold" (1925), with Jack Mills
• "And She'll Do It For a Long, Long Time" (1926)
• "Brown Sugar" (1926)
• "I'm Out in Nowhere, Going to Go Somewhere" (1926)
• "I Got a Sweet Lil' Girl" (1926)
• "Jimmy-Da-Walk, Da Boss-A New York" (1926), with Howard Johnson and James Cavanaugh
• "Why Does My Sweetie Love (Nobody But Me)" (1926), with Irving Mills
• "Mississippi Mud" (1927), with James Cavanaugh
• "That's Grandma" (1927), with Bing Crosby and James Cavanaugh
• "Play It, Red" (1927)
• "Sweet L'il" (1927)
• "From Monday On" (1928), with Bing Crosby
• "Wa-Da-Da (Ev'rybody's Doin' It Now)" (1928), with James Cavanaugh
• "What Price Lyrics?" (1928), with Bing Crosby and Matty Malneck
• "My Blue Print of Dreams" (1929), with Billy Moll
• "So the Bluebirds and the Blackbirds Got Together" (1929), with Billy Moll
• "That's What's Troubling Me" (1929), with Billy Moll
• "Ev'rything's Agreed Upon" (1930), with Bing Crosby
• "At Your Command" (1931), with Bing Crosby and Harry Tobias
• "Chances Are" (1931), with Gus Arnheim and Ralph Freed
• "It's the Darndest Thing" (1931)
• "I Surrender Dear" (1931), with Gordon Clifford
• "It Must Be True" (1931), with Gordon Clifford
• "Lies" (1931), with George E. Springer
• "What Good Would Be Tomorrow (Without You, Dear)" (1931), with Gus Arnheim and Ralph Freed
• "What Is It?" (1931), with Harry Tobias
• "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" (1931), with Ted Koehler and Billy Moll
• "I Got the Ritz from the One I Love (I Got the Big Go-By)" (1932), with J. C. Lewis
• "It Was So Beautiful" (1932), with Arthur Freed
• "Music Has Charms" (1932), with J. C. Lewis
• "We're Alone" (1932), with Arthur Freed
• "It Will Be Too Bad for You" (1933)
• "Let's Spend an Evening at Home (1933), with Ralph Freed
• "I'm Satisfied" (1934), with Ralph Freed
• "Little Dutch Mill" (1934), with Ralph Freed
• "Lonesome China Boy" (1934), with Mort Greene
• "Flirtation" (1935), with Mort Greene
• "Thrilled" (1935), with Mort Greene
• "Beyond Compare" (1936), with Mort Greene
• "Naturally" (1938), with Joseph McCarthy
• "Neighbors in the Sky" (1939)
• "Never Been So Lost" (1962)

Solo Recordings

In 1926, Harry Barris made a solo record. He was called "Happy Harry Barris" on the record. He performed his own song, "And She'll Do It For a Long, Long Time". This record showed off his skills as a pianist, singer, and songwriter.

While this record still exists today, some of his other solo recordings from 1926 have been lost. These include:

• "Could I, I Certainly Could"
• "I'm Out in Nowhere, Going to Go Somewhere"
• "I Got a Sweet Lil' Girl"

During the 1930s, it was rare to hear Harry Barris perform completely by himself outside of movies. One special example is a recording from a Cocoanut Grove broadcast of the song "It's the Darndest Thing."

Images for kids

• King of Jazz (1930) - The Rhythm Boys.jpg

  The Rhythm Boys in King of Jazz (1930)

• Harry Barris and Loyce Whiteman - Rambling 'Round Radio Row (1932).jpg

  Harry Barris and Loyce Whiteman in Rambling 'Round Radio Row (1932)