On Broadway
Doc Bagby And The Ripple Blast Singers
Power S 9008
From the back cover: I've known Doc Bagby since the late thirties when he was a young struggling, and good piano player just out of Central High School and studying at the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia. Within two years he had organized 18 musicians, becoming the most popular band in Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas. When Uncle Sam inducted Doc they had a versatile musical talent on their hands, He played tenor sax and clarinet in the concert orchestra and marching band, piano in the dance orchestra; and he also arranged music for these units.
In 1945 he jobbed around with cocktail units. In 1947 he joined Gotham Records as Musical Director. He had a hit on his first session with a tune which was Bill Haley's first hit "Rock The Joint"; and Doc was co-writer of this tune. From then on Doc arranged, directed, recorded and composed all kinds of music including Spirituals. Doc's interest in the Gospel field included the writing of such spirituals as "Glory, Glory, Glory to The New Born King" recorded by the Angelic Gospel Singers and "He Is My All and All" recorded by the Davis Sisters. He also recorded with the aforementioned groups, to which can be added the names of the Dixie Hummingbirds, Richmond Harmonizing Four, Silveraires. He also A & R'd the session of Clara Ward, Alex Bradford, and Rev. Brewster.
It was Wild Bill Davis, the renowned father of jazz hammond organists, who inspired Doc to play the organ. This was in 1949 and Doc hasn't let up since. He opened in New York at Smalls Paradise, following Bill Davis, for one successful year as a single. He formed a successful Jazz Organ Trio, Doc at the organ, his brother Billy Bagby on drums, and featuring Billy Butler's guitar. He also recorded with Eddie (Lock Jaw) Davis, Sonny Stitts, and many other artists in various fields.
In 1956 he organized a quartette, "Joy Ride" and "Dumplins" were two successive hits recorded on the Epic Label. He toured the country with 90% of the name Rhythm & Blues and Rock & Roll artists in the country, including Paul Anna. Appeared on T.V. shows such as Dick Clark's Bandstand and Mitch Thomas's show. Played the best theaters across the country, "The Apollo" in New York, "Howard" in Washington, "The Royal" in Baltimore, and "The Uptown Theater" in Philadelphia. Doc Bagby's "Joy Ride" is still the theme for Georgie Woods' daily radio and Uptown Theater shows. Another hit recording of Doc's is "Mazel-Tov" on ABC's Hunt Label. Doc is also considered as one of our nation's top arrangers and organists. He has set up scores for Jimmy Rushing, Arthur Prysock, Jerry Butler, The Impressions, Chuck Jackson, The Shirelles, Don Gardner, The Fiestas, The Quintones, Earl Hines, Louis Jordon, and The Drifters... with recording on famous labels – Atlantic, ABC, Paramount, United Artists, OK, Decca.
One of Doc's favorite groups is The Drifters. This album is one of Doc's "dreams come true". The Drifters' hit tunes played on the Hammond Organ. It was my pleasure to be the A&R man on this DREAM SESSION. – Alfred Cobbs.
Vaya Con Dios
Under The Boardwalk
There Goes My Baby
Oh My Love
This Magic Moment
Up On The Roof
Saturday Night At The Movies
Please Stay
Some Kind Of Wonderful
Save The Last Dance For Me
Down At The Club
On Broadway
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