John Gustave Davis (April 11, 1910 â€" October 28, 1983) was an
American actor, singer and trumpeter.Born in Brazil, Indiana, into a
family of musicians, Davis developed an interest in music during his
childhood. He learned to play the trumpet and by the age of 13 was
performing with his grandfather's band. After graduating from high
school he worked as a musician for several orchestras, including
theater orchestras in nearby Terre Haute, Indiana such as Paul
Johnson's orchestra and the Leo Baxter Orchestra. Art Davis, his
younger brother, also worked for Leo Baxter.Davis's work with bands
led him to discover and develop his ability as a scat singer. By 1933
was living in New York City. He formed his own trio and recorded
several songs with them. From the mid-1930s he worked with Fred Waring
as a musician and vocalist, and his success during this time led him
to Hollywood.He appeared in his first film in 1937, and the same year
appeared in the film Hollywood Hotel, where he introduced the Johnny
Mercer song "Hooray for Hollywood". His lively rendition became
popular and became closely associated with the film industry. He
appeared in fifteen films including Campus Cinderella (1938), Cowboy
from Brooklyn (1938), Brother Rat (1938), Mr. Chump (1938),'A Child Is
Born (1939) and Sarong Girl (1943).
American actor, singer and trumpeter.Born in Brazil, Indiana, into a
family of musicians, Davis developed an interest in music during his
childhood. He learned to play the trumpet and by the age of 13 was
performing with his grandfather's band. After graduating from high
school he worked as a musician for several orchestras, including
theater orchestras in nearby Terre Haute, Indiana such as Paul
Johnson's orchestra and the Leo Baxter Orchestra. Art Davis, his
younger brother, also worked for Leo Baxter.Davis's work with bands
led him to discover and develop his ability as a scat singer. By 1933
was living in New York City. He formed his own trio and recorded
several songs with them. From the mid-1930s he worked with Fred Waring
as a musician and vocalist, and his success during this time led him
to Hollywood.He appeared in his first film in 1937, and the same year
appeared in the film Hollywood Hotel, where he introduced the Johnny
Mercer song "Hooray for Hollywood". His lively rendition became
popular and became closely associated with the film industry. He
appeared in fifteen films including Campus Cinderella (1938), Cowboy
from Brooklyn (1938), Brother Rat (1938), Mr. Chump (1938),'A Child Is
Born (1939) and Sarong Girl (1943).
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