Our History

“That Old Black Magic” is the song that gave Billy Daniels international fame which has become his personal trademark over a century of entertainment.

Billy was an African-American who began his career at the early age of seventeen in New York City as a singing waiter. He was discovered by the renown Big Band Leader Erskine Hawkins and would travel across the country honing his craft.

Billy Daniels later immortalized his presence in the Harlem Club scene known then as “Tin Pan Alley”, pioneering a new style of uninhibited cabaret performance, inspiring performers like Tom Jones and Elvis Presley. While headlining clubs on New York’s south side at the infamous Latin Quarter, and the Copacabana, he was invited to perform at the London Palladium. Wowing his European audiences, the studio heads in Hollywood took notice offering Billy a chance for motion picture acclaim. He was signed to studio contracts with MGM and Columbia, and appeared in “Sunny Side of the Street” with Dick Haynes, going on to star in many other notable films with stage and screen performers such as Billy Holiday, Eartha Kitt, Pearl Bailey and Lena Horne.

Proudly, Billy Daniels would become the first African-American artist to have his own network television show called the “Billy Daniels Dinner Theater” for Kraft Music Hall, sponsored by Ributol Vitamins. He was one of the first African-American entertainment pioneers in Las Vegas earning more than any other Black performer grossing an unprecedented $26,000.00 a week. He never stopped his commitment to bridge the racial divide existing wherever he traveled and performed worldwide.

In 1965, Billy co-starred with Sammy Davis Jr in the controversial hit musical, “Golden Boy” written by playwright Clifford Odets. Our opening song, “While the City Sleeps” – Capitol Records, copyright, is one of many songs he performed. He has over 200 recordings for labels such as Mercury Records, Capitol, & Columbia to name a few, all of which are available today. His memory will be forever immortalized as crowds walk past his star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame directly in front of the Sony Theater, Hollywood, CA.

Billy Daniels, “That Old Black Magic Man,” an international cabaret performer extraordinaire, will be remembered by millions of his fans for his generosity, kindness, humor, elegance and charm.