The Deedle Deedle Dees

With catchy songs paying tribute to historical figures such as John Brown, Nellie Bly, and Aaron Burr alongside whimsical tunes like “Obedience School” and “Vegetarian Tyrannosaurus Rex” this Brooklyn-based rock band mesmerizes clever kids and smart adults alike.

The Deedle Deedle Dees are an educational rock band based in Brooklyn. Since October 2003, the band has been entertaining family audiences with songs inspired by history and science-"Underground Railroad," "Nellie Bly," "Rancher Ants"-as well as simple movement-based tunes like "Play Your Hand" and "Vegetarian T-Rex." The Dees' current line-up features Ulysses S. Dee (Lloyd Miller, teacher) on upright bass, rhythm guitar, and vocals; Innocent Dee (Anand Mukherjee, teacher) on lead guitar and vocals; Booker Dee (Chris Johnson, teacher and choir director) on keyboards, banjo, ukulele, and accordion; and Otto von Dee (Ely Levin, writer) on drums.

In early 2009, the Dees returned to the studio to record two follow-ups to their highly-acclaimed 2007 release, Freedom in a Box. One of the new albums is a collection of songs about American history, including concert favorites like "Bring ‘em In" (about Satchel Paige) and "Little Red Airplane" (about Amelia Earhart). The other recording finally compiles all the songs Lloyd (Ulysses S. Dee) has written as part of his work with educational programs in Prospect Park. "I'm a Duck!" "Sway (Like Trees Do)" and other tunes that many Brooklyn kids have learned in his popular Nature Babies toddler program will all be included.

This year, the Dees also undertook their most ambitious school program yet: an original song cycle based on the history of New Jersey. Lloyd wrote ten songs with fourth-grade students based on their classroom study of the state's history over a two-month period. Then, in late February, he rehearsed and performed the songs with the kids and the Dees at the Alexander Kasser Theater of Montclair State University. Recordings of all these songs are free and available for download along with related lesson plans via the Dees' special site for teachers and parents, teachddd.blogspot.com.