Leroy Dallas

b. 12 December 1920, Mobile, Alabama, USA. Dallas travelled the south in the 30s and 40s, teaming up for some time with Frank Edwards, and sang in the Chicago streets for a while before settling in New York from 1943. His 1949 recordings for Sittin’ In With are in a small group format with Brownie McGhee (with whom Dallas had played guitar and washboard in the 30s) and Big Chief Ellis; they bear little sign of urbanization (indeed his springy guitar rhythms positively countrify ‘Jump Little Children, Jump’, usually a preserve of blues shouters). By 1962, he had ceased to play professionally, but was still a capable guitarist and a convincing singer. His subsequent whereabouts is unknown.