shrdlu

Maxine Sullivan was born on this day in 1911. She is probably the most influential jazz singer ever. Here she is with a wistful interpretation of Kern & Hammerstein's 'The Folks Who Live on the Hill', a song made famous by one of her devotees, Peggy Lee.

youtu.be/7W3lMKxYj2I

And today was her birthday.

I think my mufos would be most likely to be familiar with Barbara Dane of all singers. After all, she recorded 'I Hate the Capitalist System'.

Here she is with the Earl Hines Band with Benny Carter on trumpet, a rare treat, singing 'Bye Bye Blackbird'.

youtu.be/jNRE-lLHkts

Here is British songstress Marion Keene with the Frank Cordell Orchestra singing 'It's Not for Me to Say'.

youtu.be/u7XaEgqVW18

Link to Red Hot Riding Hood, directed by Tex Avery.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h6_...

Happy birthday to Connie Russell who, in addition to her many film roles, was the voice of Tex Avery's Red Hot Riding Hood. Here she is with a song from the picture Vogues of 1938 (1937).

youtu.be/jPB5KCWNC5I

Happy birthday to Miyoshi Umeki. Here she is with a song from Show Boat, 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man.'

youtu.be/uPhsQxa2DqU

For all you fans of leggy gingers with husky voices, I give you birthday girl Gale Robbins with what has become one of my favourite list songs, 'Best of All'. I hope you enjoy it.

youtu.be/mGBwXK8BQdA

Today is also the birthday of Ilene Woods, the voice of Disney's Cinderella and an accomplished painter. Here she is singing Johnny Mercer's 'If You Were Mine'.

youtu.be/wiTI625APdI

http://youtu.be/3bDS672mVhA

Today is Monica Lewis's Birthday. She was the voice of Chiquita Banana and might have been the US First Lady, but wisely rebuffed Ronald Reagan.

Here she is with Jack Kelly and His Ensemble singing a number from Top Hat, 'Isn't This a Lovely Day?'

youtu.be/3bDS672mVhA

You Rodgers & Hart fans will no doubt know the intro to this tune begins, 'On the first of May…'

Today also happens to be Shirley Horn's birthday. Of all the popular pianist-singers emerging in the late '50s, Horn was a critical favourite. Mine too.

youtu.be/JT2RuzWrNZI

Happy birthday to Bea Wain. She introduced many numbers from the Great American Songbook on Your Hit Parade. Here she is with the Ellis Larkins Trio singing 'Trouble Is a Man'.

youtu.be/7uhk2nKXAms

https://youtu.be/GiS8k5z5mvc

It's Duke Ellington's birthday today. Here he is with his orchestra with singer and pianist Yvonne Lanauze, who, according to my latest information, is living in Vancouver and recently turned 100. Love You Madly.

youtu.be/GiS8k5z5mvc

https://youtu.be/j7Qs6fxQ48M

Blossom Dearie would have turned 101 on this day.

youtu.be/j7Qs6fxQ48M

https://youtu.be/Ql2-3qo--dA

For all the Liverpool FC supporters.

youtu.be/Ql2-3qo--dA

https://youtu.be/O_PMiLzL3XM

Carmen McRae with a master class.

youtu.be/O_PMiLzL3XM

https://youtu.be/PSbbtUj75vE

I have unwittingly posted two songs in a row produced by Gigi Gryce. I'm becoming a fan. Here's a young Betty Carter with 'I Can't Help It'.

youtu.be/PSbbtUj75vE

https://youtu.be/tgUMIWxCq9s

Here is Annie Ross with the Gigi Gryce Orchestra and that old standard 'The Song Is You'. Is this the best vocal interpretation ever?

youtu.be/tgUMIWxCq9s

https://youtu.be/N3_80n641c0

Here's Rita Reys with another song about spring.

youtu.be/N3_80n641c0

https://youtu.be/4X9OtyrdArU

Here's Jill Corey with 'My Reverie'. I actually like this better than Sarah Vaughan's version.

youtu.be/4X9OtyrdArU

https://youtu.be/oUAY0eCE0EQ

Marion Montgomery is one of the greatest singers you've never heard of. Here's 'Then I'll Be Tired of You'.

youtu.be/oUAY0eCE0EQ

https://youtu.be/cbNJ0dmV0Gg

This one is dedicated to — well, you know who you are. It's Diana Trask with 'Spring Never Comes'.

youtu.be/cbNJ0dmV0Gg

https://youtu.be/q4l0I9zY3FQ

I'm not sure anyone noticed I stopped posting music. Here's June Christy with a song about spring and existential angst. Enjoy.

youtu.be/q4l0I9zY3FQ

I used to hear a lot there were no women in jazz because, you know, sexism. Not true. And don't forget her recordings with Mary Lou Williams — or Joe Venuti and Stuff Smith for that matter.

https://youtu.be/KcMcq4XoRas

If you thought early rock 'n' rollers just stole licks from Sister Rosetta, then I can only assume you don't know the pride of Minot, ND, Mary Osborne.

I know I'm a day or two early for the new moon. Sorry.

youtu.be/KcMcq4XoRas

https://youtu.be/KX-w45eyPoY

Happy birthday to a swingin' Joanie Sommers. Many happy returns.

youtu.be/KX-w45eyPoY

https://youtu.be/xYTew4hRR7M

Here's Teal Joy with a song written by Paul Gayten and made popular by Larry Darnell, 'For You, My Love'.

youtu.be/xYTew4hRR7M

https://youtu.be/rXvymgUgYQA

Here's Thelma Carpenter singing a Rodgers & Hart number from the 1935 film Mississippi, 'It's Easy to Remember (And So Hard to Forget)'.

youtu.be/rXvymgUgYQA

https://youtu.be/xM--AW99G0o

Here is a song loaned to Mavis Rivers that Jimmy van Heusen and Sammy Cahn wrote for Sinatra, 'All My Tomorrows'.

youtu.be/xM--AW99G0o

https://youtu.be/dqWUuNOFB8Q

Here is Pat Kirby with a song from 1944's Belle of the Yukon, 'Like Someone in Love', written by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Johnny Burke.

youtu.be/dqWUuNOFB8Q