Mildred Bailey, born Mildred Rinker on February 27, 1907, in Tekoa, Washington, was a pioneering figure in American jazz during the 1930s and 1940s, known for her warm, clear vocal style and impeccable timing. Often hailed as The "Queen of Swing," Bailey's contributions to the jazz and swing genres were significant, helping to shape the sound of an era. She was of both European and Native American descent, which made her one of the few prominent non-African American vocalists in the jazz world at that time.

Throughout her career, Bailey collaborated with some of the jazz heavyweights, including Benny Goodman, Paul Whiteman, and her third husband, jazz vibraphonist Red Norvo, with whom she recorded as part of the Mildred Bailey and Her Orchestra and the Mildred Bailey & Red Norvo Orchestra. Her exquisite interpretations of songs like "Rockin' Chair," and her hit "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," are considered classics, cementing her legacy in the pantheon of jazz legends. Unfortunately, her health and career began to decline in the mid-1940s, and she passed away on December 12, 1951. Despite her relatively short life, Bailey's influence on vocal jazz is still appreciated today, her recordings continuing to enchant new generations of jazz enthusiasts.

Genres

Torch Song

Related Artists

Ella Fitzgerald

Billie Holiday

Sarah Vaughan

Anita O'Day

Louis Armstrong

Peggy Lee

Dinah Washington

Bing Crosby

Dinah Shore

Helen Forrest

Frank Sinatra

Count Basie

Latest Release

I Think of You

Mildred Bailey

Album - 20 Tracks - Released February 27, 2023