MCRAE, CARMEN

McRAE, CARMEN. Jazz singer (8 April 1922 in New York, New York). She studied piano privately but began her professional career as a singer in 1944 with Benny Carter. Her early style development was influenced by Billie Holiday , whom she imitated in her early career. As she matured, she developed her own distinctive sound and became one of the top female jazz singers, along with Sarah Vaughan. She sang with various groups, including William (Count) Basie , Mercer Ellington (1946-47),...