Carmen McRae
Carmen Mercedes McRae (April 8, 1920 – November 10, 1994) was an American jazz singer. She is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century and is remembered for her behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpretation of lyrics.
McRae was born in Harlem, New York City, United States. Her father, Osmond, and mother, Evadne (Gayle) McRae, were immigrants from Jamaica. She began studying piano when she was eight, and the music of jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington filled her home. When she was 17 years old, she met singer Billie Holiday. As a teenager McRae came to the attention of Teddy Wilson and his wife, the composer Irene Kitchings. One of McRae’s early songs, “Dream of Life”, was, through their influence, recorded in 1939 by Wilson’s long-time collaborator Billie Holiday. McRae considered Holiday to be her primary influence.
Albums
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Africa’s Great Civilizations -
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution -
Making Black America: Through the Grapevine -
Black in Latin America -
Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise -
Unseen -
Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity -
BLK MKT Vintage: Reclaiming Objects and Curiosities That Tell Black Stories -
The 1619 Project: A Visual Experience -
Crafted Kinship: Inside the Creative Practices of Contemporary Black Caribbean Makers
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