Jeri Southern

Jeri Southern ( * August 5, 1926 in Royal, Nebraska; † August 4, 1991 in Los Angeles, California; actually Genevieve Lillian Hering ) was an American jazz singer and pianist -.

Life and work

Jeri Southern began with three years to play the piano and studied classical piano and singing in Omaha, Nebraska, but gave up her plans to become a concert pianist and decided to jazz. Early in her career she played in hotels and with recruitment group of the U.S. Navy. In the late 1940s, she worked in Chicago clubs, as in "Hi Note Club " where she also began to sing. There, she accompanied Anita O'Day, Carmen McRae and others. She became well known for their style of torch songs.

In 1951, she signed a record deal with Decca Records and became well known both in the field of popular music as in jazz. The 1950s were the height of her career; 1951, Southern their first hit, which she took over from Billie Holiday, You Better Go Now. During this time she also sang in several films; It was followed by hits such as Joey and When I Fall in Love. In 1957 they had a top 30 hit with Fire Down Below, the title song of the film of the same name. In the late 1950s she moved to Capitol Records and enjoyed success with their interpretations of Cole Porter songs with arrangements by Billy May Finally she moved again the record company went to " Roulette Records" and took Marty Paich and albums with Johnny Smith on.

In 1962, when slackened her success, she gave up her appearances and worked more in the background in Hollywood, including for Jack Lemmon, Charlie Cochran and Steve Allen. During this time she lived and worked with the composer Hugo Friedlander. In 1972, she wrote the textbook Interpreting Popular Music at the Keyboard.

As her biggest influence she called Frank Sinatra.

Selection Discography

  • The Very Thought of You - The Decca Years 1951-1957 (GRP compilation )
  • Jeri Southern and the Johnny Smith Quartet: Harry Smith metts Jeri Southern ( Roulette, Fresh Sound Records, ca 1959)
  • Jeri Southern with Marty Paich Orchestra the Southern Breeze ( Roulette, Fresh Sound Records, 1959)
  • Jeri Southern Lennie Hayton and the Orchestra: Coffee, Cigarettes and Memories ( Roulette, Fresh Sound Records, ca 1959)
  • Jeri Southern and the Dick Hazard Quartet: Misty Blue ( Blue Note, Compilation, 1959)
  • Jeri Southern Meets Cole Porter with Billy May and His Orchestra ( Capitol T1173 )
  • A ( rehearsed ) cameo has Jeri Southern on Charlie Haden's album Haunted Heart 1990
Vocal jazz Richard Cook (journalist) Integrated Authority File
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