American singer, songwriter and the founder of the Delta Rhythm Boys, a jazz and pop vocal group, born 21 April 1914, Houston, Mississippi, USA, died 15 July 1987, Helsinki, Finland.
He wrote the lyrics for Take the A Train and Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin', two jazz standards by
Billy Strayhorn.
Gaines was married to
Muriel Gaines, a calypso singer and former Cotton Club dancer.