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My own research of old Billboard, Variety & especially Malcolm, Giddens & Don Rayno find some questions. /Specifically noting an April 6 to April 14,1930. There was a Mc Elroy's Spanish Ballroom in BOTH Portland and Seattle. Did Bing & Whiteman appear in BOTH, or just in Portland? Or a "Spanish Ballroom "not owned by Cole Mc Elroy? More confusing is another Seattle site called "Spanish Castle Ballroom", although it is a bit later in 1931-or maybe this is wrong?
There is also the gap between August 1928 to March,9,1929, finding the Rhythm Boys separating from the main orchestra-covered well by Malcolm. Any others? Perhaps in Chicago's speakeasy (Three Duces) or in St. Louis?
Also, I have a question IF the Rhythm Boys shared gigs with Mildred Bailey (Al Rinker's sister), between the time Whiteman signed her (August,5,1929 to April 30,1930-when the Rhythm Boys officially left Whiteman. Don Rayno has Mildred Baily in the Roxy Theatre. on May 8,1930-after the Rhythm Boys left.
Anyone out there in Crosby land may know? /
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Mildred Bailey and The Rhythm Boys took part together on the weekly Old Gold shows during the period in question. When Whiteman appeared for a spell at the Pavillon Royal on Long Island starting on August 31, 1929, they would probably have worked together, Also during the theatre appearances in Feb 1930, they must have shared a stage. Will do further research.
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Checked the newspapers and this is what I found.
April 7, Monday. Whiteman and his team rehearse in Seattle before going on to give what is described as a preview showing at the Spanish Ballroom of the Olympic Hotel in Seattle
April 8, Tuesday. (6:00–7:00 p.m.) Whiteman’s Old Gold broadcast comes from the Civic Auditorium, Seattle, over station KOL and Bing is prominently featured with two solos, “It Happened in Monterey” and “Alice in Wonderland.” There is an audience of only 1500 in an auditorium that can seat 6000 and Whiteman curtails his concert somewhat.
Songs from the latest talking screen successes will be played and sung during the coming Old Gold Hour tonight when Paul Whiteman directs his famous jazz orchestra from the civic auditorium at Seattle. The program will be relayed from that northwest city direct to New York, whence the Columbia System will transmit it over its nationwide network.
Outstanding among the features of this hour will be Bing Crosby’s rendering of hits from two musical comedies now on Broadway. One is the waltz song, ‘It Happened in Monterey’ from Whiteman’s picture, ‘King of Jazz.’ The other is the novelty number, ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ from Harry Richman’s picture, ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz.’ With Crosby on the program will be the popular crooner, Mildred Bailey, who will sing ‘Blue Turning Gray over You’ and ‘I Still Remember.’ Jack Fulton, tenor, will sing the new ballad, ‘Romance,’ and Whiteman’s 32-piece band will include in its own repertoire such hits as ‘Why?’ from ‘Sons o’ Guns’ and ‘Hay Straw’ from ‘Song of the West.’ This program goes on the air this evening at 9 Eastern Standard Time.
(Press release)
Paul Whiteman and his symphonic jazz orchestra, who appear on the Old Gold offering via WABC, went “Sailing on a Sunbeam” and brought penetrating rays of music to our hearts—yes, they did. Bing Crosby warbled some pretty dittys, the most fetching of which was, “It Happened in Monterey” from the maestro’s picture, “The King of Jazz.” Jack Fulton sang about something that has always intrigued us, “Romance” and accomplished this to good effect. Mildred Bailey, blues crooner, said that she was “Blue Turning Gray over You”—wonder it she meant us. This was a good all around presentation.
(David Bratton, Brooklyn Times Union, April 9, 1930)
April 9–13, Wednesday–Sunday. Starting at 8:30 p.m. each day, Whiteman performs at the Civic Auditorium, Seattle. There is a matinee show and dance on April 12 and a grand concert at the Civic Auditorium on April 13.
April 14, Monday. Whiteman and his entourage arrive in Portland, Oregon, during the late afternoon by car and check into the Benson Hotel. They had been expected by train and a civic reception committee had been waiting at the railway station. (8:30–10:00 p.m.) Whiteman performs at the Auditorium, Portland, and the concert includes a “comic sketch by the Rhythm Boys.” The whole Whiteman ensemble then goes to Cole McElroy’s Spanish Ballroom where they play until 1:00 a.m.
Bringing his throne and dais, mace and sceptre with him, Paul Whiteman last night made Portland the capital of the mythical kingdom of Jazz. The jazz king appeared before some hundreds of his loyal subjects in the public auditorium for almost two hours earlier in the evening, dispensing some two-score of the musical items which have lent luster to Whiteman’s name. Later in the evening and on toward the dawn the throne and dais, and the famous band which accompany these impediments, held sway in Cole McElroy’s Spanish ballroom for the edification of those who would dance as they listen.
(The Oregonian, April 15, 1930)
Last edited by Malcolm Macfarlane (11/11/2025 9:02 am)
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Macolm
This helps a lot. Confirming Mildred Bailey was definitely on the tour with the Rhythm Boys March,31,1930-April,15,1930. /This "Spanish Ballroom" in the Olympic Hotel in Seattle-was it ANOTHER Cole McElrory's site in Seattle? Or just a ballroom called "Spanish Ballroom", not affiliated with McElroy? We know for sure the orchestra played the McElroy's in Portland-perhaps Both sites in Portland & Seattle?
It is also a sure thing that Mildred was along at the Criterion Theatre in Los Angeles on April 20,1930, 10 days before the Rhythm Boys left Whiteman on April,30,1930.?
BEFORE ALL THIS IN 1929-30
The Pavilion Royal is noted, Aug,31-Perhaps the first time they all performed on the same venue with Whiteman?
The Shrine Auditorium Benefit on Dec.24?
Loews State Theatre, Los Angeles Feb.13,1930?
OTHER/
If you see anything about Bing at the Chicago "Three Duces or 222 Club or in some kind of dive in St. Louis, around this time, please advise/
Thank you/
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The Olympic Hotel in Seattle was built in 1924 and it incorporated a Spanish Ballroom. Can’t see that Cole McEnroy was involved in any way. Mildred Bailey was definitely on tour with the Rhythm Boys March 31, 1930-April 15, 1930. The Rhythm Boys left Whiteman after the show on April 15, 1930. Whiteman and his entourage then travelled to New York. Mildred appeared on the Old Gold Show with Whiteman on April 22, 1930, which was broadcast from New York. The Criterion Theatre in LA was showing King of Jazz on April 20. Cannot trace a Shrine Auditorium benefit on December 24, 1929.
The Whiteman troupe (including the Rhythm Boys and I assume Mildred) were at Loew’s State, Los Angeles from February 13–19, 1930. Cannot trace Bing being in Chicago in 1930 but he was there on several occasions both before and after 1930.
Hope this helps.
See also ‘Bing Crosby - Day by Day’ on www.bingmagazine.co.uk
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Malcolm/
The passage of time and actual sites of these performances are becoming less and less. Your diaries and Don Rayno's works become more important, as actual documentations. To be more specific:
-As you note, this Spanish Ballroom in Seattle is not the one associated with Cole McElroy's site in that city. Nor does Rayno.
-The (Dec.12,1929) show at the Shrine Auditorium found Don Rayno noting 'the band' at the event. Is it safe enough that Bing with the Rhythm Boys with Mildred Bailey were also at that event?
-Obviously the Criterion Theatre in Los Angeles on April 20,1930 found 'the band' in New York City-not very near to Los Angeles. Your diary and Don Rayno's account more so concur. Perhaps this Los Angeles site was visited by Bing or Mildred at another time-if so, as of now, not documented.
- I read about Chicago's "Three Duces" or 222 Club, associated with Bing, somewhere. Can't find it, as of now.
-ALSO- Don Rayno has 'the band' in the "Blossom Room" of the Roosevelt Hotel on (Nov.14,1929)-another site that indicate that perhaps Bing, the Rhythm Boys & Mildred were there?
Merging your Diaries and Rayno's info is worth it/
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Yes, the Nov. 14, 1929 and Dec. 12 1929 performances both show in my diary. Can't find much more about them though. Probably both the Rhythm Boys and Mildred would have taken part too. Can't help with Three Duces. Are you researching Mildred Bailey for any particular reason?
The Bing on Radio link on the BING magazine site has the content of all the Old Gold shows listed.
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Malcolm
I do like Mildred Bailey, especially early. We do know that she helped Bing and her brother in Los Angeles. Bing never forgot her kindness. She also introduced Bing to the now called 'jazz age', with her records of Bessie Smith and Ethel Waters, who were (1925) contemporaries, more so recording artists. (Later, with the Mills Brothers, Bing re-vamped the Waters hit "Dinah") Perhaps Bing, Al and Mildred were on the same stage earlier, in 1925? We also know Bing always seemed to help her when he could, introducing her to Paul Whiteman, resulting in her first official recordings for Whiteman. Also, in later years, Bing helped her with her medical bills.
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Bing and "The Three Deuces" club are mentioned in Eddie Condon's 1947 autobiography "We Called It Music" in a chapter labelled "The Three Deuces". Here's an excerpt which I've edited for clarity:
"After the show {Condon is referring to Paul Whiteman's appearance at the Chicago Theatre where they performed from Nov. 7 to Nov. 13, 1927-from there, they went to the Uptown and Tivoli theatres} I met Bix and took him to a speakeasy around the corner at 222 North State Street...About two o'clock we took our drinks downstairs and Bix played {likely piano}. Some of the other Whiteman boys followed us. Suddenly everybody was there and everybody was playing along with Bix. Some singers arrived but they kept quiet and listened. The were the Rhythm Boys-
Al Rinker, Harry Barris and Bing Crosby-sharp-looking lads, slightly young."
Condon goes on to mention that a second jam session took place the following night at the same location. While Bing is not mentioned, Condon does say that Bud Freeman, the Dorsey brothers and drummer Ben Pollack participated. The "Three Deuces" continued in business into the 1930s when great musicians like Art Tatum,
Roy Eldridge and Zutty Singleton were part of the regular entertainment. I don't know of any other references to Bing and "The Three Deuces" but it's certainly possible that he returned there when he was in Chicago during the late '20s-early '30s. Mildfed Bailey may have also attended "The Three Deuces" when she was working with the Whiteman band at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago c. 1931.
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Alan & Malcolm /
Got it / Eddie Condon's info has got to be where I originally read it. I will also note more so that many people of that generation had recollections of Bing, and others, at many sites, unverified. This well-known Chicago site, then a speakeasy, I think was one of them. Bing may have returned later unverified. Still looking for Bing in St. Louis speakeasy clubs. / Another site I found in the net, an add, perhaps in California, finds Bing and Cab Calloway at the EMBASSY THEATRE, except I can't find in what CITY on August 29, 1932.Malcolm, with your resources may be able to locate?
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Colin, Bing was on a cruise south along the Mexican coast on M.V. Kamika, deep-sea fishing with Lew Ayres, Nick Stuart, Lennie Hayton, and Eddie Lang from August 13-30, 1932. He then returned to LA. Meanwhile in Reading, Pennsylvania, the Embassy Theatre was showing a film called “Million Dollar Legs” supported by the Bing Crosby short “Hollywood on Parade” and Cab Calloway and His Orchestra. Whether this was a short featuring Calloway or a live performance I don’t know, Calloway was in Pennsylvania at that time though.
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October 29–November 4, 1927 Saturday–Friday. Whiteman is in St. Louis at the Ambassador Theater sharing the cine-variety bill with the film Lonesome Ladies. He is paid $12,000 for his week’s work. Bing is introduced to Estelle Shaffner and they go with Bix Beiderbecke and Ruth Shaffner on a tour of the night spots ending up at “The Wedge” where Bing sings with the band.
Last edited by Malcolm Macfarlane (21/11/2025 7:44 am)
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Nightclubs were the center of Capone’s business and, also, his source of relaxation. Kutner recalled that he went along with Capone time after time to hear Isham Jones at the College Inn, “a big hangout for the boys.” And he remembered when Bing Crosby, then an unknown from Spokane, Washington, was in town with Paul Whiteman’s Rhythm Boys, and showed up at the Three Deuces (a Capone cabaret). “He came into the Three Deuces with Bix Beiderbecke, who said that some dude had invited them to play in Cicero. They had been told that they would be picked up at the Deuces. . . . Crosby sat there biting his nails and drinking Coke. Chicago made him nervous, he said. . . . Finally one of Al’s limousines called for them. I went out with them and introduced myself to the driver: ‘You know me, I play piano for Mr. Brown (Capone’s pseudonym).’ Capone had set up the Greyhound Club for them to play in, with his boys patrolling the streets armed to the teeth like a small army. Bing stepped out of the door of the limousine, looked around at all the mugs toting submachine guns in the open, and asked me, ‘Is this a jazz joint or World War II?’ He had never before seen men carrying arms like this in the heart of an American city.”
(When Hollywood Had a King, page 22)
Last edited by Malcolm Macfarlane (21/11/2025 4:17 pm)
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Malcolm
I am very familiar with your excellent research. I had thought that another California EMBASSY club would correspond with a Cab Calloway gig in the area. More so the Cab Calloway "Hi de Ho for AUGUST 29,1932" has a printed add noting both Bing & Cab Calloway. Under that it states, 'with Bing Crosby on stage" So that is incorrect. /
Al Capone's Chicago area clubs did include the "Three Duces". Other contemporary entertainers like Ethel Waters, Adelaide Hall, Fats Waller, Helen Morgan, Ruth Etting, & Louis Armstrong also found interest from Capone. In addition to the "Greyhound Inn'-later known as "Montmartre", there were "Colosimo's (still operating after "big Jim" being gunned down in the site in 1920),) the "Cafe de Paris"-bombed, "Cinderella Cafe", "Showboat", "Cocoanut Grove" and the "Cotton Club" in Cicero, Illinois-run by Al's brother, Ralph., and the Metropole Hotel There were others. . While as performers IN clubs, accounts note that they were PERSUADED to perform for Capone personally, in other locations-perhaps one of these noted above?
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Malcolm
I am very familiar with your excellent research. I had thought that another California EMBASSY club would correspond with a Cab Calloway gig in the area. More so the Cab Calloway "Hi de Ho for AUGUST 29,1932" has a printed add noting both Bing & Cab Calloway. Under that it states, 'with Bing Crosby on stage" So that is incorrect. /
Al Capone's Chicago area clubs did include the "Three Duces". Other contemporary entertainers like Ethel Waters, Adelaide Hall, Fats Waller, Helen Morgan, Ruth Etting, & Louis Armstrong also found interest from Capone. In addition to the "Greyhound Inn'-later known as "Montmartre", there were "Colosimo's (still operating after "big Jim" being gunned down in the site in 1920),) the "Cafe de Paris"-bombed, "Cinderella Cafe", "Showboat", "Cocoanut Grove" and the "Cotton Club" in Cicero, Illinois-run by Al's brother, Ralph., and the Metropole Hotel There were others. . While as performers IN clubs, accounts note that they were PERSUADED to perform for Capone personally, in other locations-perhaps one of these noted above?