Lee Wiley

Lee Wiley was a trailblazing jazz vocalist whose velvety voice and intimate phrasing made her a standout in the 1930s and '40s. Born in 1908 in Oklahoma, she began her career as a teenager, eventually becoming one of the first singers to popularize themed albums dedicated to single composers like George Gershwin and Cole Porter. Her smoky, understated style—showcased on classics like *Manhattan Night* and *Let’s Fall In Love*—earned her collaborations with jazz giants like Eddie Condon and Fats Waller. Known for breathing new life into the Great American Songbook, Wiley blended bluesy warmth with a refined elegance that felt both timeless and fresh.

Though she stepped back from the spotlight in later years, reissues like *The Dawn of Jazz - the Early Years of Lee Wiley (Remastered)* and live recordings such as *Live on Stage: Town Hall, New York* keep her legacy alive. A true pioneer of jazz vocals, Wiley’s influence lingers in every note of her effortlessly cool recordings. She passed away in 1975, leaving behind a catalog that still feels like a late-night conversation with an old friend.

Genres

Vocal Jazz

Big Band

Folk

Soul

Jazz

Blues

Easy Listening

Swing

Related Artists

Ella Fitzgerald

Billie Holiday

Anita O'Day

Peggy Lee

Julie London

Sarah Vaughan

Diana Krall

Madeleine Peyroux

Blossom Dearie

Doris Day

Dinah Washington

Rosemary Clooney

Latest Release

Let's Fall In Love

Lee Wiley

Album - 12 Tracks - Released July 28, 2023