Benjamin Sherman ‘Scatman’ Crothers (1910-1986) was a
true star of the stage, film, and television. He first started
performing in clubs as a singer and drummer in his teens, and
wound up performing on Chicago’s speak-easy circuit in the
latter part of the ‘Roaring 20’s.’ In 1931, Crothers found himself
hosting his own radio show on WFMK in Dayton, Ohio, where
he became well known for scatting over instrumental tracks on
the air. Billing himself as ‘Scat Man’, he formed his own trio, Scat
Man and His Cats, and toured the South extensively. In 1934,
he performed at the world famous Cotton Club for the first
time, and in 1935 he made his first appearance on film in a
short called Symphony In Black featuring Duke Ellington and
Billie Holiday. He would go on to act in 45 more motion
pictures, including The Shining, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest,
Bronco Billy, Aristocats, The Shootist, Silver Streak, The Lady Sings
The Blues, Scavenger Hunt, and Transformers: The Movie.
In 1943, Scatman moved to Hollywood, California, and in 1948
became one of the first African Americans to land a recurring
role on a network TV show: Paramount’s Dixie Showboat. Over
the next three decades, Scatman appeared in hundreds of TV
programs. Crothers was honoured with a star on the
Hollywood Blvd. Walk of Fame, located in front of the famed
Egyptian Theater.
In 1975, after thirty years of recording for labels like RCA,
Capitol, Decca, and Motown, Crothers met record producer/
composer Andrew A. Melzer. Together, they recorded a
collection of songs that are finally being released today by
Panda Digital. Groovin’ with…Scatman captures Crothers in
his element alongside studio veterans and jazz legends like
Ray Brown and Victor Feldman. This colourful and
entertaining album includes beautiful pop standards like You’re
Pretty, a couple of comedic dance numbers, and a pair of
tributes to characters he played: Louie is Your Garbage Man
(NBC’s Chico and the Man) and Stanley Does It All (Stanley
Kubrick’s The Shining.)
1. Going Strong (Leonard/Martin/Melzer) 2:56
2. Scatman’s 1:40
3. Still Going Strong 2:02
4. You’re Pretty (Michael Dees) 3:58
5. Louie Is Your Garbage Man (Crothers/Melzer) 2:48
6. Scoot On Over To Scat’s (Melzer) 4:24
7. Stanley (Does It All) 2:41
8. Going Strong Theme (Melzer) 1:15
All songs composed by Scatman Crothers unless otherwise noted
Scatman Crothers - Vocals
Tracks 1, 2, 3, 8:
Bass - Ray Brown; Guitar - Arthur Adams;
Piano/B3: Mike Melvoin; Guitar - Al Ciner; Drums - Earl Palmer;
BG Vocals - Dianne Brooks, Clydie King; Grace Cosgrove;
Featuring The Tonight Show Horn Section:
Reeds - Tommy Newson, Bill Green; Trumpets - Snooky Young,
Oscar Brashear, John Audino, Jimmy Zito;
Trombones - Chauncey Welsh, Ernie Tack
Tracks 4-6:
Bass - Dennis Belfield; Guitar - Al Ciner;
Drums - Ralph Humphrey;
Piano, Vibraphone & Percussion - Victor Feldman;
Background Vocals - Sherlie Mae Matthews
