Gloria Lynne (born Gloria Wilson; November 23, 1929 – October 15, 2013), also known as Gloria Alleyne, was an American jazz vocalist with a recording career spanning from 1958 to 2007.
Lynne was born in Harlem in 1929 to John and Mary Wilson, a gospel singer. She grew up in Harlem, and as a young girl, Lynne sang with the local African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Choir. At the age of 15, she won first prize at the Amateur Night contest at the Apollo Theater. She shared the stage with contemporary night club vocal ensembles as well as with Ella Fitzgerald, she recorded as part of such groups as the Enchanters and the Dell-Tones, in the 1950s. She recorded as a soloist under her birth name, though most of her work was released under her stage name on the Everest and Fontana labels. In 1958, she was signed to Everest.During her earlier years on the road, Lynne shared bills with RnB, jazz, traditional pop music, and pop singers including Ray Charles, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Mathis and Ella Fitzgerald. TV specials include two with Harry Belafonte. ( Info from Wikipedia )
AllMusic Review by Ron Wynn
Gloria Lynne was a twenty-something comer when this album was originally recorded in 1958. Since then, she has moved into other areas, notably soul. But at the time these tunes were cut, she was working in the jazzy blues and standards territory that proved quite profitable for Nancy Wilson, Dakota Station, and several others through the '60s. Lynne had a joyous, soulful delivery and a clear, piercing style, building the tension and smoothly striding with the beat rather than competing with it. Lynne had a first-class band: veteran swing era trumpeter Harry Edison, honking tenor saxophonist Sam Taylor, bombastic organist Wild Bill Davis, bluesy guitarist Kenny Burrell, and vibist Eddie Costa in a rare complementary role were among the stars assisting her. While this is a woefully short L/P the range of material and Lynne's mellow yet forceful vocals are good compensation for the lack of bonus cuts.
1. April In Paris
2. Stormy Monday Blues
3. Without A Song
4. Just Squeeze Me
5. Little Fingers
6. Perdido
1. June Night
2. I Don't know Why
3. All Day long
4. I Can't Give You anything But Love
5. Bye Bye Blackbird
6. They Didn't Believe Me
😉 !
ReplyDeleteA very good singer, indeed!
ReplyDelete