THREE BITS OF RHYTHM - Modern Music

The Bits of Rhythm - The Bits of Rhythm in the late forties were then known as the Three Bits of Rhythm, a trio fronted by Teddy Rudolph. In late January of 1950, the group added swinging violinist Johnny Creach. (He would reappear two decades later as "Poppa" John Creach, and become an integral part of the Jefferson Starship-Hot Tuna conglomeration during the progressive rock era.) The group, now a quartet were part of the big Easter Promenade in Los Angeles sponsored by the LA Sentinel as a celebration of the Black community in the southern California area. The members of the quartet are Teddy Rudolph on vibraphone and bass, Thomas Askew on piano and vocals, Bruce Williams on guitar, and Johnny Creach on violin. After a stint in the Denver area the combo opened up at Peacock Alley in Los Angeles. Many patrons request their version of "I'll Be True". They appear with Smokie Lynn at Ace Cain's in June and are signed to appear in a nightclub scene as entertainers in the motion picture "Cry Danger" which stars Dick Powell and Rhonda Fleming, and is being filmed by RKO studios. After appearing at the Waikiki Inn in Los Angeles the group heads down the coast to San Diego and a gig at The Tops. Later in the year back in L.A., the combo becomes a trio again as Johnny Creach decides to leave and organize his own small combo. He becomes one of the first musical performers to be signed by a new area label called Dootone started by Dootsie Williams, and his first release (by the Johnny Creach Trio) is "Danny Boy". At the end of the year the Bits of Rhythm disbanded and became part of the history of the foundation of R & B.

JOHNNY CREACH TRIO