While Bing Crosby became the most famous and influential singer of the 1930s, his roots were in jazz.

In the 1920s not only did he often sing jazz but, with the Rhythm Boys, he often doubled on drums.

Crosby always retained his affection or New Orleans jazz and Louis Armstrong, but he stopped playing drums by the late 1920s except on very rare occasions.

On this delightful clip from the 1940 film “Rhythm On The River,” Bing sings the title cut in a pawn shop while trying out the drums and leading a band that includes trumpeter Wingy Manone.

-Scott Yanow