Billie Holiday (1915-59) is rightfully considered one of the greatest of all jazz singers. Though her voice had limited range – she was no virtuoso vocalist like Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan – her singing had an emotional impact that is perhaps unmatched. She was born Eleanora in Baltimore toContinue Reading
Dubbed the (almost certainly racist) ‘Sepia Sinatra’ by the American press, Billy Eckstine (1944-1993) was an influential bandleader, and a singer, whose rich bass-baritone inspired a large number of singers who followed. Born in Pittsburgh, he was singing at church events by the age of 11. His family moved toContinue Reading
Born Norma Jean Egstrom in Jamestown, North Dakota, Peggy Lee (1920-2002) had her first professional singing experience sing on local radio shows, for which we she was occasionally paid in free food by the restaurant sponsor. Lee sang in the Doll House in Palm Springs and then The Buttery RoomContinue Reading
Born in Cherry Hill, Arkansas, but brought up in Plainview, Texas, Bob Dorough (1923-2018) is one of a handful of songwriters who were able to continue the legacy of the Great American Songbook into the latter part of the 20th Century. His songs have been recorded by everyone from MilesContinue Reading
Connee Boswell (1907-1976) was a singer, composer, actress, arranger and multi-instrumentalist, who became popular with the vocal harmony group, The Boswell Sisters, together with sisters Martha (1905-1958) and Helvetia “Vet” (1911-1988), and also had a successful solo career, influencing many future singers. Ella Fitzgerald said “There was only one singerContinue Reading
Helen Humes (1913-1981) was the vocalist who replaced Billie Holiday in the Count Basie Orchestra in 1938, staying with the band for four years. She was a prodigious musician, self-taught pianist and trumpeter, and started recording at the age of 13. These early recordings, made in 1927, show a voiceContinue Reading
Nancy LaMott (1951-1994) was a singer, much admired in New York’s cabaret scene. Born in Midland, Michigan, her first semi-professional experience was singing with her father’s dance band. LaMott suffered from health issues throughout her too short life, having been diagnosed at 17 years old with Crohn’s Disease. After aContinue Reading