Harry Barris was an American popular singer and songwriter, and is one of the earliest singers to use scat singing in recordings. Barris, one of Paul Whitemans Rhythm Boys, along with Bing Crosby and Al Rinker, scatted on several songs, including Mississippi Mud, which Barris wrote in 1927.
Barris was born to Jewish parents in New York City. Gary Giddins described him as small, wiry, and moonfaced with glittery eyes, and dark hair slicked back and parted in the middle. He was educated in Denver, Colorado. Barris became a professional pianist at the age of 14. He led a band which toured the Far East at the age of 17.
Source: Wikipedia