Vanita Smythe
Vanita Smythe | |
---|---|
Birth name | Vannie Smith |
Also known as | Vanita Smythe Pauling |
Born | Detroit, Michigan, United States | January 13, 1925
Died | January 18, 1994 Detroit, Michigan, United States | (aged 69)
Genres | Blues, jazz |
Occupation(s) | Singer and actress |
Years active | 1945–1950 |
Labels | Regal Records |
Vannie Smith, known professionally as Vanita Smythe (January 13, 1925 – January 18, 1994)
Life and career
Vannie Smith was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States.[2] The third of eight children, her parents were Grady and Gertrude McCray Smith, and she was named after her maternal grandmother, Lou Vannie Donaldson.[2]
In a professional capacity she was first mentioned in the
In April 1947, Smythe performed at Henry Armstrong's Melody Room in Harlem on the same bill as the 5 Kings. In June she trod the boards again at Smalls Paradise in Harlem, in a one-night show put on by Dan Burley. In October, she appeared as part of the annual benefit dance put on by the Good Hearts Welfare Association at Harlem's Renaissance Ballroom. Smythe's career went into a hiatus before signing in March 1950 to Regal Records.[2] She recorded four tracks for the label; "Lonesome For You", "I Want My Baby Back", "Until I Fell For You" (written by Howard Biggs),[4] and "You Got Me Crying Again". "Lonesome For You" / "I Want My Baby Back" was issued as a single early in 1950, while "Until I Fell For You" / "You Got Me Crying Again" was released later the same year. Neither record was a commercial success. The sum total of her stage performances did not run into double figures, and all of them took place around New York City. Smythe married in 1951 and her professional career came to a close.[2]
Vanita Smythe Pauling died in Detroit on January 18, 1994, aged 69.[1][2]
Family life
On March 23, 1951, Smythe married Clarence Otto Pauling in Springfield, Tennessee. The groom was the brother of Lowman "Pete" Pauling, Jr. of the "5" Royales. Clarence and Vanita were later divorced, on a date probably between 1960 and 1966. There is no definitive record of any children of the union.[2]
Filmography
Soundies
- Does You Do Or Does You Don't (released August 5, 1946)
- Low, Short and Squatty (released December 2, 1946)
- Back Door Man (released May 27, 1946)
- I Need A Playmate (released October 14, 1946)
- They Raided the Joint (released June 15, 1946)
- Get It Off Your Mind (released September 2, 1946)
- Sho Had A Wonderful Time (released November 17, 1946)
- What Good Am I Without You (released December 23, 1946)[2]
Films
- Ebony Parade (1947)
- Reet, Petite, and Gone (1947)
Discography
- 1950 : "Lonesome For You" / "I Want My Baby Back" – Regal Records
- 1950 : "Until I Fell For You" / "You Got Me Crying Again" – Regal Records[2][5]
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0313344237.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks – VANITA SMYTHE". Uncamarvy.com. Retrieved 2016-10-30.
- ^ a b "Wild Realm Reviews: Vanita Smythe soundies". Weirdwildrealm.com. Retrieved 2016-10-30.
- ^ Scott Yanow. "Yes Indeed! Women Vocalists on United – Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-10-30.
- ^ "Vanita Smythe – Until I Fell For You / You Got Me Crying Again (Shellac)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2016-10-30.