Biography of Carmen McRae
Many consider Camen McRae the greatest pure jazz vocalist currently active. She has remarkable interpretive ability, a striking delivery, and the kind of timing and musicality one would expect from a former pianist. McRae wrote the song "Dream of Life" for Billie Holiday when she was 16. She worked with Benny Carter's band in 1944 and also had a brief period with Count Basie. She sang for a year with Mercer Ellington's band in 1946-1947 as Carmen Clarke, while she was married briefly to drummer Kenny Clarke. After a stint as an intermission pianist and singer at various clubs in the early 50s, McRae began making records in the mid 50s. She had two songs hit the pop charts in 1956 and 1957, and became internationally known through tours and festival appearances as well as several acclaimed records. Her trio has had such famous pianists as Ray Bryant, Norman Simmons, and Duke Pearson. Her 1990 album Carmen Sings Monk, an incredible recasting of Monk songs into amazing lyric performances, was nominated but failed to win a Grammy. ~ Ron Wynn
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