Betty Carter, born Lillie Mae Jones on May 16, 1930, in Flint, Michigan, was an influential American jazz singer renowned for her improvisational prowess and scat singing. Raised in Detroit, she studied piano at the Detroit Conservatory of Music and began singing at age 16, often sneaking out to perform in local jazz clubs. Her early career was marked by her association with Lionel Hampton's band, where she earned the nickname "Betty Bebop" for her saxophone-like vocal improvisations. Despite being fired multiple times due to her insistence on improvising, this experience helped shape her unique style.

Carter's career included collaborations with jazz legends such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis. After a brief hiatus for marriage, she returned to the music scene in 1969, forming her own band and establishing Bet-Car Productions in 1971 to maintain artistic control. Her live performances, such as those captured on "The Audience with Betty Carter," showcased her inventive singing style.

A dedicated mentor, Carter founded the Jazz Ahead program to nurture young jazz talents, a testament to her commitment to the genre's future. Her contributions to jazz were recognized with numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for her album "Look What I Got!" and the National Medal of Arts in 1997. Betty Carter passed away on September 26, 1998, in Brooklyn, New York, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and mentorship in jazz music.