Background
He was born in Richmond, Virginia and died in New New York
He was born in Richmond, Virginia and died in New New York
He co-wrote many popular songs in the years from 1900 to 1929, often collaborating with Turner Layton, with whom he also appeared in vaudeville. Henry Creamer was a singer, dancer, songwriter and stage producer/director He first performed on the vaudeville circuit in the United States. and in Europe as a duo with pianist Turner Layton, with whom he also co-wrote songs.
Two of their most enduring songs, for which Creamer wrote the lyrics, are "After You"ve Gone" (1918), which was popularized by Sophie Tucker, and "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" (1922) which was included in the soundtrack for one of the dance numbers in the Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers 1939 movie The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle.
Success on Broadway arrived in 1922 when Creamer’s Creole Production Company produced the show Strut Mission Lizzie, and in 1923 to seal their success, Bessie Smith recorded their song "Whoa, Tillie, Take Your Time". His other Broadway stage scores include Three Showers.
Creamer and Layton disbanded as a duo in 1924, when Layton relocated to Europe after which Creamer continued his songwriting with pianist Johnson. In 1924, Creamer joined American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. In the fall of 1926, Creamer was commissioned to direct the Cotton Club revue, The Creole Cocktail.
The show featured Lottie Gee, Loncia Williams.
Henry and LaPearl, Louie Parker, White and Sherman, Eddie Burke, Ruby Mason and Albertine Pickens. Also in 1926, Creamer and Johnson wrote "Alabama Stomp". The song also became the theme song for McKinney’s Cotton Pickers and was also a hit for Louis Armstrong (Okeh 41448).