Leo Watson

An eccentric singer whose improvisations were often futuristic, Leo Watson was way ahead of his time; imagine if Betty Carter had suddenly appeared in the 1930s! Watson started out as a solo vocalist and a journeyman drummer. After moving to New York in 1929, he performed in a novelty act that toured with the Whitman Sisters' show. The backup group (which included Wilbur and Douglas Daniels) soon broke away to become the Spirits of Rhythm, and Teddy Bunn joined as guitarist. Watson was a highly original scat singer, as he showed on the Spirits' recordings of the time (in 1933)...