Carmen McRae
Carmen Mercedes McRae, born on April 8, 1920, in Harlem, New York, was a renowned American jazz vocalist and pianist, celebrated for her distinctive style and emotive interpretation of lyrics. The daughter of Jamaican immigrants, she began studying piano at age eight and was deeply influenced by the music of jazz legends like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. As a teenager, she met Billie Holiday, who became her primary influence, and through this connection, her early song "Dream of Life" was recorded by Holiday in 1939.
In her early career, McRae played piano at Minton's Playhouse, where she interacted with jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Kenny Clarke, whom she married and recorded with under the name Carmen Clarke. Her significant break came with a recording contract from Decca in the early 1950s, leading to a series of successful albums. She was voted best new female vocalist by DownBeat magazine in 1954.
McRae's career spanned over five decades, during which she recorded with notable artists like Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, and George Shearing. Her work included tributes to jazz icons such as Nat King Cole and Billie Holiday, and she was known for her innovative scat improvisations and behind-the-beat phrasing. She performed at prestigious jazz festivals worldwide and was particularly popular in Japan.
Despite health challenges leading to her retirement in 1991, McRae left a lasting legacy in jazz music. She passed away on November 10, 1994, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 74. Her contributions to jazz were recognized with numerous accolades, including being named an NEA Jazz Master in 1994.
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