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About this artist
American jazz singer.
Born: 27 March 1924 in Newark, New Jersey, USA.
Died: 3 April 1990 in Hidden Hills, California, USA.
One of the most respected of all jazz singers, known among her close-knit circle of musician friends as 'Sassy' and among her worldwide fan base as 'The Divine One'.
First she won a talent contest held 1942 at Harlem's Apollo Theater with her rendition of "Body And Soul". 1942 to 44 she was member of Earl Hines And His Orchestra and 1944/45 of Billy Eckstine And His Orchestra. From 1946 to 1957 she was accompanied on the piano by Jimmy Jones (3), Ronnell Bright and Kirk Stuart. She worked with John Kirby and became a solo artist.
She was married three times: to George Treadwell (1946–1958), to Clyde B. Atkins (1958–1961), and to Waymon Reed (1978–1981).