René DeKnight (December 5, 1913 – January 24, 2004) was an American pianist, composer and arranger. He was a member of The Delta Rhythm Boys.[1] He arranged and played on many of their influential work, including "Dry Bones" and "Take The A Train". DeKnight also played with Ella Fitzgerald and later became the arranger and composer for The 5th Dimension.[2] He is the older brother of American visual artist Avel de Knight.
Biography
DeKnight was born in New York City on December 5, 1913.[3]
In 1940, DeKnight married Freda Alexander who became Ebony magazine's first food editor in 1944, and later as the fashion editor she staged the first Ebony Fashion Fair in 1957.[6][7] In 1962, DeKnight took and 8-week leave from The Delta Rhythm Boys to travel to Hawaii and Japan where his wife selected fashions for the 1962 production of the Ebony Fashion Fair.[8] His wife died in 1963 from cancer.[6] Later in 1963, DeKnight married jazz singer Sallie Blair in Honolulu where he was heading his own trio.[9][1] He was later married to a woman named Marie.[10]
DeKnight became the music arranger and conductor for The 5th Dimension in 1966. He played a major part in shaping the groups sound by adding jazz elements to their music.[11]
DeKnight died at the age of 90 in Cameron Park, California on January 24, 2004.[3]