R&B band featuring Baltimore’s saxophone legend Mickey Fields, the Tilters started out in the early 1950s playing local venues such as the Club 511, Gamby’s, Club Cairo, Comedy Club, Sherries Musical Bar, Flamingo Lounge, and the Club Ambassador. The group traveled to the Apollo Theater in New York, Bee Hive in Chicago, and other stops along the famed ‘Chitlin’ Circuit.’
Early members included Arthur Neeson (bass), Gene Edwards (guitar), Herman Williams (bass), Jessie ‘Skippy’ Thomas (piano), Ethel Ennis (vocals, piano)… The group was billed as the Seven Tilters “seven pieces of jumpin’ music”.
They released a single in 1952 on Atlantic Records. The original group split up. Williams did a stint with the Swallows in 1952 filling in for Junior Denby who had been drafted for military service.
In 1954 a new group was formed. Billed as the New Tilters they played at the New Comedy Club, then again known as the 7 Tilters they were seen at Lee’s Musical Bar on Pratt Street. Mickey later moved on to play with the Flink Johnson Band, then returned to the Tilters in the early ‘60s.
Throughout the 1960s Mickey & the Tilters were also accompanied by vocalist Shirley Fields. The band featuring Kenny Fields (bass), Ray Montague (guitar), and Calvin Vaughn (drums) could be seen at the Carnival Club, Minnick’s, Tuesday night ‘Jump Night’ at the Hilander, and the Madison Club.
Record release by the Tilters:
1952 Atlantic 979 La Cumbanchero / Eee Til Ya Dee
