Singer, Actor. Mr “B” is often considered a ground breaker for black vocalists. He cut a swath through American before Nat “King” Cole came to the scene. He was one of the very first African American matinee idols, singing first with Earl “Fatha” Hines orchestra, then veering off with his own band. He appeared in several musicals for MGM in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s.