Aige Old Radio: Untitled (#15)

This episode of Aige Old Radio is "Untitled" because the music doesn't concur with a particular theme, genre, or year. It's mainly music that I've been listening to nonstop for the past couple of months.

Aige Old Radio: Untitled (5/1/2014) by Aigedoubleu9214 on Mixcloud


*Click the link [Aige Old Radio: Untitled (5/1/2014)] beneath the player to hear this episode*



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ARTIST INFO

Above is video footage (a "soundie") of Ida James singing "His Rocking Horse Ran Away". According to this article in The Afro-American, Ida James turned 18 years old some time in April of 1939, which means that the singer/actress was born in 1921. Her distinctive "birdlike" voice could be heard on numerous records throughout the 1940s--mainly as the lead or accompanying vocalist for bands like Erskine Hawkins' Orchestra, Earl "Fatha" Hines' Orchestra, and the King Cole Trio.

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From Music Stack

Toni Harper was born on June 8, 1937. As a child, she began taking dance lessons with pioneering tap dancer, Maceo Anderson, and soon enough, she was performing on stage with big names like Herb Jeffries and Cab Calloway. However, Toni's platinum-selling recording of "Candy Store Blues" in 1946 would be the feat that made her a "child star". Toni made several television appearances (she appeared three times on Toast of the Town) and would also garner cameo roles in two movies. She recorded three albums (including Lady Lonely in 1959) before retiring at the age of 29.

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Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley (from Wikipedia)

Blossoming young pop singer, Nancy Wilson, and popular jazz saxophonist, Cannonball Adderley, joined forces in the summer of 1961 to record Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley, the album that would turn the rising pop princess into a rising jazz diva.  

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From Ebay

Bette McLaurin's recording of "My Heart Belongs to Only You" with The Striders and the Eddie Wilcox Orchestra was released in September of 1952. Most of the information I've been able to find on Ms. McLaurin mainly included details about her recording career, rather than her personal life. Visit The Vocal Group Harmony and JCMarion's web page for more information on this unsung songstress.  

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Adelaide Hall (from Wikipedia)

The legendary Adelaide Hall had a fruitful career that spanned over seven decades (until her death in 1993 at the age of 92). She was one of the Harlem Renaissance era's most notable performers and would even go on to find staggering success in Europe. The particular recording of "Stormy Weather" that you hear in this episode of Aige Old Radio was recorded in Copenhagen, Denmark in December of 1937. [Source] 

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Duke Ellington with his orchestra (from Budapest Resources)

Now, if you follow me on People of Color in Classic Film, you may already know that I've fallen completely in love with this song--so much so that I made part of it the theme for the blog's Youtube videos. Arguably (not arguable for me) the greatest artist in jazz music history, Duke Ellington really took on the task of being an ARTIST when it came to his music. Just listen to the beauty in "Black and Tan Fantasy" (composed and recorded in 1927, by the way).

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The late and unsung singer and actress, Sheila Guyse's first (and I believe only) studio album, This is Sheila was released in 1958. The album consists of popular songs and jazz standards, including her rendition of "I Cover the Waterfront", heard in this episode of Aige Old Radio. I had the joy of downloading this album (in MP3 format) from Amazon, and you can click here to do the same. 

*Be on the lookout for an album review*

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Sarah Vaughan (from Wikipedia)

Aige Old Radio listeners have probably pretty much gotten the idea that I'm a Sarah Vaughan fan (she's been in about three episodes so far) and this is true. To be honest, I'm actually still a blossoming fan, slowly discovering her many hits and unsung gems. I believe that Ms. Vaughan may have recorded "Summertime" numerous times throughout her career (and performed it live as well). I believe that this particular recording was made in 1953, during her "Columbia years".


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I hope you found this episode of Aige Old Radio to be both entertaining and informative! I will be recording LIVE on Memorial Day evening (May 26th).

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The images used in this post are for informational purposes only. If the rightful owner(s) of any of these images wishes to have them removed, please contact me, and I will do so immediately.

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The music in this episode (and all episodes) of Aige Old Radio is being used for entertainment (and one could say, educational) purposes only.