Velma Middleton
Velma Middleton | |
|---|---|
Freetown, Sierra Leone | |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1930s–1961 |
Velma Middleton (September 1, 1917 – February 10, 1961)[1] was an American jazz vocalist and entertainer who sang with Louis Armstrong's big bands and small groups from 1942 until her death.
Biography
Middleton was born in
soundies.[4]
When Armstrong's orchestra disbanded in 1947, Middleton joined his All-Stars, a smaller group. She was often used for comic relief, such as for duets with Armstrong on "
Dootone Records in 1948 and 1951. Although she was not widely praised for her voice, described by critic Scott Yanow as "average but reasonably pleasing and good-humored",[4] Armstrong regarded her as an important and integral part of his show.[4]
Middleton performed on June 7, 1953 with
Leon Hefflin, Sr. Also featured that day were Don Tosti and His Mexican Jazzmen, Roy Brown and his Orchestra, Shorty Rogers, Earl Bostic, and Nat "King" Cole.[5]
While touring with Armstrong in
Freetown.[1]
Musician Barney Bigard was critical of Armstrong as well as manager Joe Glaser for refusing, after Middleton took ill, to arrange her transfer to a country with better health facilities.[6]
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0313344237.
- OCLC 987159252.
- ^ Lullaby of Harlem. Directed by Pat Britt, Spike Harrigan, Louis Jordan, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Velma Middleton, George Washington, Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Billy Eckstine, Passport Video, Delta Rhythm Boys, Tympany Five, Mills Brothers, and King Cole Trio. Passport Video, 2004. DVD.
- ^ a b c Yanow, Scott. Biography of Velma Middleton, AllMusic.com. Retrieved 15 November 2016
- ^ "Jazz Cavalcade will be greatest Sunday, June 7th", The California Eagle, May 21, 1953.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-60473-633-5. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
Further reading
- Forbes, Mike. Louis Armstrong's All Stars. Surrey: J Michael Forbes, 2015.
External links
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