The late great Carmen McRae stood beside her contemporaries in this golden era of jazz: Ella Fitzgerald , Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday.
Though not a household name these days - her legacy remains with distinctive behind the beat phrasing and her collaborations over the years with everyone including Louis Armstrong , Sammy Davis Jr , Dave Brubeck and George Shearing.
Of equal note was her direct style of dealing with loud audiences and basically being very honest and direct to put it mildly.
She was serious about her work and a vocalist who conveyed the emotional intensity of the lyric.
Born in Harlem ,NY in 1920 - she met Billie Holiday who remained a big influence throughout Carmens career - even recording a tribute album in 1983 “For Lady Day”.
Go discover this unique jazz vocalist who had a 50 year career performing at jazz venues worldwide - but did things on her terms.
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