Felicia Sanders

Felicia Sanders (born Felice Schwartz; April 26, 1921^[1] – February 7, 1975) was a singer and musician of traditional pop.

Early years

Sanders was born in Mount Vernon, New York but was raised in Southern California. She studied merchandising at the University of Southern California.^[2]

Sanders married Michael Snider (who was in the Army), and they had a son, Jefferson. During World War II Sanders "decided to give singing a try," thinking it was her duty to sing at camps and hospitals.^[2]

Career

In 1950 Sanders sang at Café Gala, a

"

Just before the record was released Sanders was hired by New York's famous Blue Angel Supper Club, and she played there for a long time, being the first singer to perform the song "In Other Words (Fly Me to the Moon)"^{[citation needed]} — although she did not record it until several other singers had done so. Sanders recorded "In Other Words" in 1959 at Decca Recording studio; it was backed with "Summer Love" (composed by Victor Young). During the 1960s she sang frequently at The Bon Soir cabaret on West 8th Street.

In 1955, Sanders released her first Columbia album, Felicia Sanders at the Blue Angel.^[5]

Miller kept finding other songs to have her sing, but only one other scored among the Top 30: "Blue Star", based on the theme from the NBC-TV drama series, Medic.

Personal life

Sanders' marriage to Snider ended in divorce. She married musician Irving Joseph.^[6] In the mid-1960s, they formed Special Edition Records, with the first release featuring Sanders' singing.^[7]

Death

Felicia Sanders died in her Manhattan home on February 7, 1975, from cancer at the age of 53.^[6]

References