Carmen Mercedes McRae (April 8, 1920 – November 10, 1994) was an American
jazz
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...
singer. She is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century and is remembered for her behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpretation of lyrics.
Early life and education
McRae was born in
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded roughly by the Hudson River on the west; the Harlem River and 155th Street (Manhattan), 155th Street on the north; Fifth Avenue on the east; and 110th Street (Manhattan), ...
,
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...
, United States. Her father, Osmond, and mother, Evadne (Gayle) McRae, were immigrants from
Jamaica
Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...
. She began studying piano when she was eight, and the music of jazz greats such as
Louis Armstrong
Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops", was an American trumpeter and vocalist. He was among the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades and several era ...
and
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was based ...
filled her home. When she was 17 years old, she met singer
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959) was an American jazz and swing music singer. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and music partner, Lester Young, Holiday had an innovative influence on jazz music and pop s ...
. As a teenager McRae came to the attention of
Teddy Wilson
Theodore Shaw Wilson (November 24, 1912 – July 31, 1986) was an American jazz pianist. Described by critic Scott Yanow as "the definitive swing pianist", Wilson had a sophisticated, elegant style. His work was featured on the records of many ...
and his wife, the composer
Irene Kitchings
Irene Armstrong Wilson Kitchings (c. 1908-1975) was an African-American jazz pianist, band leader, and songwriter. She performed both as a solo act and as a band member. After transitioning to songwriting, Kitchings co-wrote "Some Other Spring", ...
. One of McRae's early songs, "Dream of Life", was, through their influence, recorded in 1939 by Wilson’s long-time collaborator Billie Holiday.Brian Berger "Carmen McRae" HiLobrow, April 8, 2015. McRae considered Holiday to be her primary influence.
Early career
In her late teens and early twenties, McRae played piano at
Minton's Playhouse
Minton's Playhouse is a jazz club and bar located on the first floor of the Cecil Hotel at 210 West 118th Street in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City. It is a registered trademark of Housing and Services, Inc. a New York City nonprofit provider ...
, sang as a chorus girl, and worked as a secretary. It was at Minton's where she met
trumpeter
The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz ensembles. The trumpet group ranges from the piccolo trumpet—with the highest register in the brass family—to the bass trumpet, pitched one octave below the standard B ...
bassist
A bassist (also known as a bass player or bass guitarist) is a musician who plays a Bass (instrument), bass instrument such as a double bass (upright bass, contrabass, wood bass), bass guitar (electric bass, acoustic bass), synthbass, keyboar ...
Oscar Pettiford
Oscar Pettiford (September 30, 1922 – September 8, 1960) was an American jazz double bassist, cellist and composer. He was one of the earliest musicians to work in the bebop idiom.
Biography
Pettiford was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, United ...
Kenny Clarke
Kenneth Clarke Spearman (January 9, 1914January 26, 1985), nicknamed Klook, was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. A major innovator of the bebop style of drumming, he pioneered the use of the ride cymbal to keep time rather than the hi-ha ...
, had her first important job as a pianist with Benny Carter's big band (1944), worked with
Count Basie
William James "Count" Basie (; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and the ...
(1944) and under the name "Carmen Clarke" (having married Clarke) made her first recording as pianist with the
Mercer Ellington
Mercer Kennedy Ellington (March 11, 1919 – February 8, 1996) was an American musician, composer, and arranger. His father was Duke Ellington, whose band Mercer led for 20 years after his father's death.
Biography Early life and education
Ellin ...
Band (1946–47). But it was while working in
Brooklyn
Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...
that she came to the attention of
Decca Decca may refer to:
Music
* Decca Records or Decca Music Group, a record label
* Decca Gold, a classical music record label owned by Universal Music Group
* Decca Broadway, a musical theater record label
* Decca Studios, a recording facility in W ...
’s
Milt Gabler
Milton Gabler (May 20, 1911 – July 20, 2001) was an American record producer, responsible for many innovations in the recording industry of the 20th century. These included being the first person to deal in record reissues, the first to sel ...
. Her five-year association with Decca yielded 12 LPs.
Chicago interlude
In 1948, she moved to
Chicago
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
, image_map =
, map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago
, coordinates =
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, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name ...
with comedian and
impressionist
Impressionism was a 19th-century art movement characterized by relatively small, thin, yet visible brush strokes, open composition, emphasis on accurate depiction of light in its changing qualities (often accentuating the effects of the passage ...
George Kirby
George Kirby (June 8, 1923 – September 30, 1995) was an American comedian, singer, and actor.
Career
Born in Chicago, Kirby broke into show business in the 1940s at the Club DeLisa, a South Side establishment that employed a variety-show ...
, with whom she had fallen in love. At the end of the relationship, she worked as a pianist and singer at the Archway Lounge. She played piano steadily for almost four years at a number of clubs in Chicago before returning to New York in 1952. In Chicago she developed her own specific style. Those years in Chicago, McRae told ''Jazz Forum'', "gave me whatever it is that I have now. That's the most prominent schooling I ever had."
Return to New York
Back in New York in the early 1950s, McRae got the record contract that launched her career. She was voted best new female vocalist of 1954 by '' DownBeat'' magazine. MacRae married twice: to drummer
Kenny Clarke
Kenneth Clarke Spearman (January 9, 1914January 26, 1985), nicknamed Klook, was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. A major innovator of the bebop style of drumming, he pioneered the use of the ride cymbal to keep time rather than the hi-ha ...
from 1944 to 1956, though they separated in 1948; and to bassist Ike Isaacs from 1956 to 1967. Both marriages ended in divorce.
Among her most interesting recording projects were ''Mad About The Man'' (1957) with composer
Noël Coward
Sir Noël Peirce Coward (16 December 189926 March 1973) was an English playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what ''Time'' magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and ...
Louis Armstrong
Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops", was an American trumpeter and vocalist. He was among the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades and several era ...
, a tribute album ''You're Lookin' at Me (A Collection of
Nat King Cole
Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American singer, jazz pianist, and actor. Cole's music career began after he dropped out of school at the age of 15, and continued f ...
Songs)'' (1983), cutting an album of live duets with Betty Carter, ''
The Carmen McRae-Betty Carter Duets
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
George Shearing
Sir George Albert Shearing, (13 August 1919 14 February 2011) was a British jazz pianist who for many years led a popular jazz group that recorded for Discovery Records, MGM Records and Capitol Records. Shearing was the composer of over 300 ...
, and closing her career with tributes to
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monk (, October 10, 1917 – February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including " 'Round Midnight", ...
, ''
Carmen Sings Monk
''Carmen Sings Monk'' is a 1990 studio album by the American jazz singer Carmen McRae, focusing exclusively on the songs composed by Thelonious Monk. It was one of the last recordings released in her lifetime. McRae was accompanied by Clifford J ...
'' (1990), and Sarah Vaughan, '' Sarah: Dedicated to You'' (1991).
As a result of her early friendship with Billie Holiday, she never performed without singing at least one song associated with "Lady Day", and she recorded an album in 1983 in her honor entitled ''For Lady Day'', which was released in 1995, with songs including "
Good Morning Heartache
"Good Morning Heartache" is a song written by Irene Higginbotham, Ervin Drake, and Dan Fisher. It was recorded by jazz singer Billie Holiday on January 22, 1946.
Bill Stegmeyer and his Orchestra (Decca Session No. 54) New York City, January 22, ...
", "
Them There Eyes
"Them There Eyes" is a jazz song written by Maceo Pinkard, Doris Tauber, and William Tracey that was published in 1930. One of the early recorded versions was performed by Louis Armstrong in 1931. It was made famous by Billie Holiday, who recorde ...
", "
Lover Man
"Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?)" (often called simply "Lover Man") is a 1941 popular song written by Jimmy Davis, Roger ("Ram") Ramirez, and James Sherman. It is particularly associated with Billie Holiday, for whom it was written, and her ...
George Shearing
Sir George Albert Shearing, (13 August 1919 14 February 2011) was a British jazz pianist who for many years led a popular jazz group that recorded for Discovery Records, MGM Records and Capitol Records. Shearing was the composer of over 300 ...
Cal Tjader
Callen Radcliffe Tjader Jr. ( ; July 16, 1925 – May 5, 1982) was an American Latin Jazz musician, known as the most successful non-Latino Latin musician. He explored other jazz idioms, even as he continued to perform music of Afro-Jazz, ...
. The latter two albums were part of a notable eight-year relationship with
Concord Jazz
Concord Jazz is a record company and label founded in 1973 by Carl Jefferson, the former owner of Jefferson Motors Lincoln Mercury dealership in Concord, California. The label was named after the city in the East San Francisco Bay area, and the j ...
.
Performances
McRae sang in jazz clubs throughout the United Statesand across the worldfor more than fifty years. She was a popular performer at the
Monterey Jazz Festival
The Monterey Jazz Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in Monterey, California, United States. It debuted on October 3, 1958, championed by Dave Brubeck and co-founded by jazz and popular music critic Ralph J. Gleason and jaz ...
(1961–63, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1982), performing with Duke Ellington's orchestra at the North Sea Jazz Festival in 1980, singing "
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
"Don't Get Around Much Anymore" is a jazz standard written by composer Duke Ellington. The song was originally entitled "Never No Lament" and was first recorded by Duke Ellington and his orchestra on May 4, 1940. "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" ...
", and at the
Montreux Jazz Festival
The Montreux Jazz Festival (formerly Festival de Jazz Montreux and Festival International de Jazz Montreux) is a music festival in Switzerland, held annually in early July in Montreux on the Lake Geneva shoreline. It is the second-largest annual ...
in 1989. She left New York for
Southern California
Southern California (commonly shortened to SoCal) is a geographic and Cultural area, cultural region that generally comprises the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. It includes the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the second most po ...
in the late 1960s, but appeared in New York regularly, usually at the
Blue Note
In jazz and blues, a blue note is a note that—for expressive purposes—is sung or played at a slightly different pitch from standard. Typically the alteration is between a quartertone and a semitone, but this varies depending on the musical c ...
, where she performed two engagements a year through most of the 1980s. In May–June 1988, she collaborated with Harry Connick Jr. on the song "
Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
"Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone" is a song published in 1930. It was written by Sam H. Stept with lyrics by Sidney Clare. The original publication also credited singer Bee Palmer as co-composer.
Background
The lyrics are an admonishm ...
" (S. Clare & S. Stept) in New York City at the RCA Studios, for Connick's debut album, '' 20''. She withdrew from public performance in May 1991 after an episode of respiratory failure only hours after she completed an engagement at the Blue Note jazz club in New York.
Death
On November 10, 1994, McRae died at her home in
Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. A notable and historic suburb of Greater Los Angeles, it is in a wealthy area immediately southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. B ...
, at the age of 74. She had fallen into a semi-coma four days earlier, a month after being hospitalized for a stroke.
Awards
Discography
* ''A Foggy Day with Carmen McCrae'' (Stardust, 1953)
* ''
Carmen McRae
Carmen Mercedes McRae (April 8, 1920 – November 10, 1994) was an American jazz singer. She is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century and is remembered for her behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpre ...
Porgy and Bess
''Porgy and Bess'' () is an English-language opera by American composer George Gershwin, with a libretto written by author DuBose Heyward and lyricist Ira Gershwin. It was adapted from Dorothy Heyward and DuBose Heyward's play '' Porgy'', itse ...
'' with Sammy Davis Jr. (Decca, 1959)
* ''My Foolish Heart'' (Vocalion, 1969), compilation of Decca recordings
* ''
Book of Ballads
''Book of Ballads'' is a 1959 album by jazz singer Carmen McRae, arranged by Frank Hunter.
''Billboard'' chose the cover of ''Book of Ballads'' as their 'Album Cover of the Week' in their January 19, 1959 issue.
Reception
Allmusic awarded the ...
Gerry Mulligan
Gerald Joseph Mulligan (April 6, 1927 – January 20, 1996), also known as Jeru, was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though primarily known as one of the leading jazz baritone saxophonists—playing the instrum ...
, McRae on one track (MGM, 1960)
* '' Something to Swing About'' (Kapp, 1960)
* ''Play Dave Brubeck's Points on Jazz'' with Gold and Fizdale (Columbia, 1961)
* '' Tonight Only!'' with Dave Brubeck (Columbia, 1961)
* ''Carmen McRae at the Flamingo Jazz Club'' a.k.a. ''In London'' (Ember (UK), 1961)
* '' Carmen McRae Sings Lover Man and Other Billie Holiday Classics'' (Columbia, 1962)
* '' Take Five Live'' with Dave Brubeck (Columbia, 1962)
* '' The Real Ambassadors'' (Columbia Masterworks 1962)
* ''Something Wonderful'' (Columbia, 1963)
* ''Live at Sugar Hill San Francisco'' a.k.a. ''In Person'' (Time, 1963)
* ''Bittersweet'' (Focus, 1964)
* ''Second to None'' (Mainstream, 1964)
* ''Haven't We Met?'' (Mainstream, 1965)
* '' Woman Talk'' (Mainstream, 1966)
* ''Alfie'' (Mainstream, 1966)
* ''
For Once in My Life
"For Once in My Life" is a song written by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden for Motown Records' Stein & Van Stock publishing company, and first recorded in 1965.
It was written and first recorded as a slow ballad. There are differing accounts of ...
'' (Atlantic, 1967)
* '' Portrait of Carmen'' (Atlantic, 1968)
* '' The Sound of Silence'' (Atlantic, 1968)
* ''"Live" & Wailing'' (Mainstream, 1968), recorded 1965
* '' Just a Little Lovin''' (Atlantic, 1970)
* ''Carmen McRae'' (Mainstream, 1971), recordings from 1965 and 1966
* ''Carmen's Gold'' (Mainstream, 1971)
* ''Carmen'' (Temponic, 1972)
* '' The Great American Songbook: Live at Donte's'' (Atlantic, 1972)
* '' Alive!'' (Mainstream, 1973), compilation of ''Woman Talk'' and ''Live & Wailing''
* ''
It Takes a Whole Lot of Human Feeling
''It Takes a Whole Lot of Human Feeling'' is an album by American jazz vocalist Carmen McRae recorded in 1973 and released on the Groove Merchant label.Ms. Jazz'' (Groove Merchant, 1974)
* ''As Time Goes By - Carmen McRae Alone, Live at the Dug'' (Victor, 1974)
* ''Live and Doin' It'' (Mainstream, 1974)
* ''I Am Music'' (Blue Note, 1975)
* ''Live at Century Plaza'' (Atlantic, 1975), recorded 1968
* '' November Girl'' with
Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band
The Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band was a jazz big band co-led by American drummer Kenny Clarke and Belgian pianist François "Francy" Boland. They were one of the most noteworthy jazz big bands formed outside the United States, featuring top ...
(Black Lion, 1975), recorded 1970
* ''
Can't Hide Love
"You Can't Hide Love" is a single by soul group Creative Source released in 1973 on Sussex Records. The song reached No. 48 on the ''Billboard'' Hot R&B Singles chart.
Overview
"You Can't Hide Love" was produced by Michael Stokes and composed b ...
'' (Blue Note, 1976)
* ''
At the Great American Music Hall
''At the Great American Music Hall'' is a 1976 live album by Carmen McRae, recorded at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. McRae is joined on several tracks by the trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, and backed by her jazz trio of pianist Marsh ...
'' (Blue Note, 1977)
* ''Ronnie Scott's Presents Carmen McRae Live'' (Pye, 1977)
* ''Blue Note Meets the L.A. Philharmonic'' (Blue Note, 1978), four songs by McRae
* ''Jazz Gala 79'' a.k.a. ''Live at MIDEM'' (Personal Choice, 1979)
* '' I'm Coming Home Again'' (
Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism.
According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in L ...
, 1980)
* '' Two for the Road'' with George Shearing (Concord Jazz, 1980)
* ''
Recorded Live at Bubba's
''Live at Bubba's'' is a 1981 live album by jazz singer Carmen McRae.
Reception
Allmusic awarded the album three stars and reviewer Ken Dryden wrote that McRae's "...vocals are confident and seem effortless...The sound is excellent, with a re ...
'' (Who's Who in Jazz, 1981)
* ''Ms. Magic'' (Accord, 1982), recorded 1978, also on re-release of ''I'm Coming Home Again'', same sessions
* ''Love Songs'' (Accord, 1982), like ''Ms. Magic''
* ''
Heat Wave
A heat wave, or heatwave, is a period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity, especially in oceanic climate countries. While definitions vary, a heat wave is usually measured relative to the usual climate in the ...
The Carmen McRae-Betty Carter Duets
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
'' (
Great American Music Hall
The Great American Music Hall is a concert hall in San Francisco, California. It is located on O'Farrell Street in the Tenderloin neighborhood on the same block as the Mitchell Brothers O'Farrell Theatre. It is known for its decorative balconies ...
Carmen Sings Monk
''Carmen Sings Monk'' is a 1990 studio album by the American jazz singer Carmen McRae, focusing exclusively on the songs composed by Thelonious Monk. It was one of the last recordings released in her lifetime. McRae was accompanied by Clifford J ...
'' (Novus, 1990), Grammy nominated
* '' Sarah: Dedicated to You'' (Novus, 1991)
* ''New York State of Mind: Live at Bird'' (Victor (Jp), 1992), recorded 1989
* ''For Lady Day Volume 1'' (Novus, 1995), recorded 1981
* ''For Lady Day Volume 2'' (Novus, 1995), recorded 1981
* ''Everything Happens to Me'' (Jazz Hour, 1997), recorded live at
Montreux Jazz Festival
The Montreux Jazz Festival (formerly Festival de Jazz Montreux and Festival International de Jazz Montreux) is a music festival in Switzerland, held annually in early July in Montreux on the Lake Geneva shoreline. It is the second-largest annual ...
Verve
Verve may refer to:
Music
* The Verve, an English rock band
* ''The Verve E.P.'', a 1992 EP by The Verve
* ''Verve'' (R. Stevie Moore album)
* Verve Records, an American jazz record label
Businesses
* Verve Coffee Roasters, an American coffee ho ...
, 2001), recorded 1958, re-release with McRae
* ''At Ratso's Volume 1'' (Hitchcock Media, 2002), recorded 1976
* ''At Ratso's Volume 2'' (Hitchcock Media, 2002), recorded 1976
* ''Live at Umbria Jazz'' (Egea, 2002), recorded live at
Umbria Jazz Festival
The Umbria Jazz Festival is one of the most important jazz festivals in the world and has been held annually since 1973, usually in July, in Perugia, and surrounding cities of the region of Umbria Italy. Furthermore, the Umbria Jazz Winter Festi ...
1990
* ''Marion McPartland's Piano Jazz'' (The Jazz Alliance, 2002), recorded 1985
* ''Last Live in Tokyo'' (DVD, Nippon Crown, 2004), recorded 1989
* ''I'm Coming Home Again'' (Essential Media 2008)
Filmography
Films
*1955: ''
The Square Jungle
''The Square Jungle'' is a 1955 American film noir drama sport film directed by Jerry Hopper and starring Tony Curtis, Pat Crowley and Ernest Borgnine.
'' - Herself
*1960: ''
The Subterraneans
''The Subterraneans'' is a 1958 novella by Beat Generation author Jack Kerouac. It is a semi-fictional account of his short romance with Alene Lee (1931–1991), an African-American woman, in Greenwich Village, New York. It was the first wor ...
'' - Herself
*1967: ''
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. Facilities provided inside a hotel room may range from a modest-quality mattress in a small room to large suites with bigger, higher-quality beds, a dresser, a re ...
''
*1985: McRae's rendition of ''
You Took Advantage of Me
"You Took Advantage of Me" is a 1928 popular song composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart, for the musical '' Present Arms'' (1928), where it was introduced by Joyce Barbour and Busby Berkeley as the characters Edna Stevens and Dou ...
'' backed the title credit sequence of ''
Real Genius
''Real Genius'' is a 1985 American comic science fiction film directed by Martha Coolidge and written by Neal Israel, Pat Proft, and PJ Torokvei. Starring Val Kilmer and Gabriel Jarret, the film, set on the campus of Pacific Tech, a science ...
''
*1986: ''
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
''Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling'' is a 1986 American biographical comedy-drama film directed, produced by and starring Richard Pryor, who also wrote the screenplay with Paul Mooney and Rocco Urbisci. ''Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling'' w ...
''
Television
* 1976: ''Soul''
* 1976: ''Sammy and Company''
* 1979: ''Carmen McRae in Concert''
* 1979: '' Roots: The Next Generations''
* 1980: ''From Jumpstreet''
* 1981: ''At the Palace''
* 1981: ''Billie Holiday. A Tribute''
* 1982: ''L. A. Jazz''
Discography of American Historical Recordings
The Discography of American Historical Recordings (DAHR) is a database of master recordings made by American record companies during the 78rpm era. The DAHR provides some of these original recordings, free of charge, via audio streaming, along with ...