Spirits of Rhythm

Spirits of Rhythm were an American jazz string band.

The ensemble's members had previously played under several other names (The Sepia Nephews, Ben Bernie's Nephews, The Five Cousins), and upon adding Teddy Bunn as guitarist in 1932, the group began calling itself Spirits of Rhythm. They occasionally recorded, and performed frequently on 52nd Street in New York City, as well as in Hollywood films in the 1930s and early 1940s.

The group featured vocalists accompanied by string instruments, sometimes with other accompaniment such as homemade percussion instruments and harmonica. In addition to guitar and bass, the Spirits of Rhythm featured ukulele-family instruments, including more than one Martin-style tiple, a 10-string tenor uke with multiple strings on each course. The group vocals included scat. With some personnel changes and name changes reflecting the number of members, the group kept performing until 1946.

As the Four Spirits of Rhythm, the group appeared in the films Sweetheart of the Campus (1941), Alabamy Bound (1941) and Yes, Indeed! (1941).

As the Six Spirits of Rhythm, they appeared with George M Cohan in Gambling (1934).

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1932 - 1934

Roles Represented in DAHR: Musical group

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Brunswick TO1180 10-in. 7/13/1932 The scat song Three Cousins  
Brunswick TO1334 10-in. 9/20/1933 Nobody's sweetheart Five Cousins Musical group  
Brunswick TO1335 10-in. 9/20/1933 I got rhythm Five Cousins Musical group  
Brunswick TO1336 10-in. 9/20/1933 I got the world on a string Five Cousins Musical group  
Decca 38633 10-in. 9/11/1934 'Way down yonder in New Orleans Red McKenzie Musical group  
Decca 38634 10-in. 9/11/1934 I've got the world on a string Red McKenzie Musical group  
Decca 38635 10-in. 9/11/1934 From Monday on Red McKenzie Musical group  
Decca 38636 10-in. 9/11/1934 As long as I live Red McKenzie Musical group  
Decca 38662 10-in. 9/14/1934 Junk man Spirits of Rhythm Musical group  
Decca 38663 10-in. 9/14/1934 Dr. Watson and Mr. Holmes Spirits of Rhythm Musical group  
Decca 38664 10-in. 9/14/1934 That's what I hate about love Spirits of Rhythm Musical group  
Decca 38665 10-in. 9/14/1934 Shoutin' in that amen corner Spirits of Rhythm Musical group  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Spirits of Rhythm," accessed December 24, 2025, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/344901.

Spirits of Rhythm. (2025). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved December 24, 2025, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/344901.

"Spirits of Rhythm." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2025. Web. 24 December 2025.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/344901

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