Biography
The Four Clefs formed a Chicago-based quartet whose lineup featured William Marshall on drums and vibraphone, his brother James Marshall at the piano, Johnny “Happy” Green on guitar, and Melvin “Chappie” Chapman on bass. Every member contributed vocals, with William Marshall usually taking the lead and occasionally appearing unaccompanied; a number of their sides were strictly instrumental. Green also functioned as the ensemble’s director and chief arranger. Although singer-pianist Martha Artis appeared in some of their later promotional material, she never participated in any of the group’s recording sessions. Between 1939 and 1945 the quartet cut sides exclusively for the Chicago branch of RCA Victor’s Bluebird label. Their biggest seller at the time was the coupling “Hiding All My Cares” backed with “Blue Lude in C Sharp Major,” while a subsequent jive-flavored instrumental, “Dig These Blues,” has since become their most widely recognized performance. Although the Four Clefs are generally classified as rhythm-and-blues artists, their output blended several popular idioms: William Marshall’s solo work echoed Bing Crosby’s phrasing, the group’s vocal arrangements favored the close harmonies of the Ink Spots, and their instrumental pieces remained lightly swinging and straightforward.