Bobbe Norris, born Barbara Norris on June 26, 1939, in San Francisco, California, is an esteemed American jazz singer known for her rich and appealing vocal style, particularly well-suited to ballads and Latin-tinged music. Raised in a musical Croatian family in Marin County, Norris began singing at a young age, performing at shopping center openings with dixieland bands and sitting in at Bop City, a prominent jazz club in San Francisco.

Her professional career took off in the late 1950s and early 1960s when she performed in restaurants and clubs in Sausalito and San Francisco. During this time, she also worked as a secretary for the Kingston Trio. In the mid-1960s, Norris moved to New York, where she was signed by John Hammond Jr. to Columbia Records. She performed at notable venues such as the Persian Room of New York’s Plaza Hotel and The Sands Hotel in Las Vegas with the Buddy Rich band. Norris also made appearances on prestigious television shows hosted by Ed Sullivan, Johnny Carson, and others.

Despite early success, Norris became dissatisfied with her career direction until she met pianist Larry Dunlap, who reignited her passion for music. The two married and performed extensively in the San Francisco area and at jazz festivals, including the Monterey Jazz Festival. Norris also found success internationally, particularly in Japan. She has collaborated with notable musicians such as Harry Allen, Kenny Barron, Rufus Reid, and Ben Riley.

Norris's discography includes albums like "The Beginning" (1966) and "Close Up" (1981), as well as collaborations with Larry Dunlap. Her work continues to be celebrated for its emotional depth and technical skill.