Jeri Southern
A converted piano player and vocal coach, Jeri Southern became one of the most underrated jazz vocal interpreters of the 1950s despite a voice regarded as subpar. Transforming a potential failing into her prime strength, Southern was devastatingly effective at delivering songs charting the downhill romantic life of world-weary everywoman characters. After recording for Decca, Roulette, Capitol and Jasmine during the 1950s though, she abruptly retired after growing tired of the music industry.
Born in rural Nebraska, Jeri Southern played piano by ear at the age of three and began formal lessons three years later. She studied classical piano and voice at a school in Omaha, but after an introduction to jazz at a local nightclub, Southern quickly changed her focus. After graduation, she moved to Chicago and began making appearances at clubs during the late '40s, occasionally supporting Anita O'Day. Convinced to begin singing as well, Southern abandoned her classical training and began singing in a voice just several steps removed from her speaking voice.
After signing to Decca in 1951, her first hit, "You Better Go Now," established her style -- lyrically focused, somewhat desultory, and definitely lovesick, the style of singing often called (for better or worse) torch songs. Her decidedly unflashy voice lent additional weight to the lyrical concerns of other Southern favorites like "I Don't Know Where to Turn," "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye," "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "If I Had You." She also had a moderate hit in 1954 with "Joey" and toured with the Birdland Jazz Stars of 1957. Southern's LPs of the '50s for Decca utilized mostly small groups in an era of large orchestras, including top-flight jazz-pop names like Ralph Burns, Dave Barbour and Marty Paich.
After Southern recorded two LPs for Roulette during 1958, she moved to Capitol for her most celebrated album, 1959's Jeri Southern Meets Cole Porter, arranged by Billy May. She recorded only one additional LP for Capitol (live at the Crescendo) before retiring in 1961, disgusted at the state of traditional pop. She married several times, raised a family and worked as a piano/vocal coach in Hollywood until her death (from double pneumonia) in 1991. She was booked for her first studio time in years at the time of her death.
© John Bush /TiVo
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The Very Best of Jeri Southern
Musique vocale (profane et sacrée) - Paru chez Past Classics Jazz le 15 oct. 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Essential Masters
Musique vocale (profane et sacrée) - Paru chez Burning Fire le 14 juil. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Coffee, Cigarettes & Memories (Remastered)
Jazz - Paru chez RevOla le 13 juin 2019
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Meets Cole Porter - At the Crescendo (Remastered)
Jazz - Paru chez RevOla le 30 mai 2019
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jeri Southern Meets Cole Porter
Jazz - Paru chez CoolNote le 1 janv. 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Jeri Southern at The Crescendo (Live)
Jazz - Paru chez Music Manager le 22 juin 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Presenting Jeri Southern
Jazz - Paru chez Universal Digital Enterprises le 10 mars 1951
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Coffee, Cigarettes & Memories (2018 Digitally Remastered)
Jazz - Paru chez AVID Jazz le 19 déc. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jeri's Velvet Voice - Jeri Southern's Golden Decade 1950s Singles
Jazz - Paru chez Stardom Records le 22 sept. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Fire Down Below (UK Chart Top 40 - No. 22)
Alternatif et Indé - Paru chez Music Manager le 19 déc. 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Coffee, Cigarettes & Memories
Jazz - Paru chez Music Manager le 23 févr. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Four Classic Albums (The Southern Style / a Prelude to a Kiss / Southern Breeze / Coffee, Cigarettes & Memories) (Digitally Remastered)
Jazz - Paru chez AVID Jazz le 28 déc. 1955
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Southern Breeze
Be Bop - Paru chez Music Manager le 22 juin 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Coffee, Cigarettes And Memories
Jazz - Paru chez CoolNote le 1 janv. 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Close To You
Musique vocale (profane et sacrée) - Paru chez Dazzling Dames le 1 janv. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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