DarkTown Strutters' Ball

Shelton Brooks ( b.1886, Amesburg, Ontario, Canada d. 1975.) A child of Native American and Black parents, Brooks learned his keyboard skills on the family pump organ. His father was a Preacher, and Shelton and his brother would play the organ at services. (Shelton played, and his older brother pumped the Bellows pedals which Shelton couldn't reach.) His family emigrated to Detroit, and the 15 year old Shelton made some appearances as a child prodigy. In time, he became a cafe pianist, and a very famous black performer. He performed as a pianist, playing Ragtime around 1909 and began his composing career with mainly Ragtime numbers.

Shelton wrote his first big hit in 1910, Some of These Days with his own lyrics. He had already introduced the song in his own vaudeville act, when Sophie Tucker's maid, introduced both him and the tune to Sophie. Tucker loved it and she made it her theme song. Brooks also tried his hand at performing is stage roles such as Plantation (1922), Dixie To Broadway (1924), and Ken Murray's Blackouts of 1949. Perhaps Brook's best known hit was his 1917, hit The Darktown Strutter's Ball. Among his other great songs were Walkin' The Dog, There'll Come A Time and Jean. Brooks enjoyed a long recording career as well. Many of his recordings were comedic for example the Okeah record 4632 carried the titles, Collecting Rents and Chicken Thieves both comedy skits, not songs. Shelton died on On September 6, 1975. (Biographical facts from Kunkle V. 2, p. 625)

Ella Fitzgerald Lyrics I'll be down to get you in a taxi honey Better be ready 'bout half past eight I mean don't be late Be there when the band starts playin' Remember when you get there honey Dance all over the floor Dance all over my shoes When the band plays the Jelly Roll blues Set 'em all alight At the darktown strutters ball I'll be down to get you in a push cart honey Better be ready 'bout half past eight I mean don't be late Be there when the band starts playin' 'Member when you get there honey Shim sham wins them all Dance all over my shoes When the band plays the Jelly Roll's blues Set 'em all alight At the darktown strutters ball Shelton Brooks Lyrics Verse 1: I've got some good news, Honey, An invitation to the Darktown Ball It's a very swell affair All the highbrows will be there I'll wear my high silk hat and my frock tail coat You wear your Paris gown and your new silk shawl Ain't no doubt about it, Babe, We'll be the best dressed in the hall. Chorus: I'll be down to get you in a taxi, Honey. You better be ready 'bout half past eight Now dearie, don't be late, I want to be there when the band starts playing And remember when we get there, Honey, Two-steps, I'm goin' to have 'em all: Goin' to dance out both my shoes When they play the "Jelly Roll Blues" Tomorrow night at the Darktown Strutters' Ball. Verse 2: We'll meet out high-toned neighbors An exhibition of the "Baby Dolls" And each one will do their best Just to out-class all the rest And there'll be dancers from ev'ry foreign land The Classic, Buck and Wing, and the Wooden Clog We'll win that fifty dollar prize When we step out and Walk the Dog. Chorus: I'll be down to get you in a taxi, Honey. You better be ready 'bout half past eight Now dearie, don't be late, I want to be there when the band starts playing And remember when we get there, Honey, Two-steps, I'm goin' to have 'em all: Goin' to dance out both my shoes When they play the "Jelly Roll Blues" Tomorrow night at the Darktown Strutters' Ball.

Linsley, Virginia Marie (Gadbois). - 01/13/15 to 2/9/90, Aberdeen, Washington. This song was one of her favorites. She did so much good in her life on Earth that God would let her continue to do the same in Heaven. Preceded in death by son William Emory Linsley. She is survived by her husband, Scott Ellsworth Linsley, sons, Scott John of CA and Craig Anson, daughter, Teschon Catherine, grandsons, Mark Andrew and Douglas Paul. Virginia had a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Andrew's Catholic Church 1051 Como Ave., St. Paul, with burial at St. Vincent's Church Cemetery in Osseo next to Bill.