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
Tom Adair (1913-1988) was an American lyricist whose songs have consistently remained favourites within the jazz standards repertoire. His lyrics range from thoughtful, bittersweet ballads to the sharply witty, unsurprising as he also went on to become a prolific writer of some of the best loved sitcoms of his eraContinue Reading