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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Southern Breeze/Coffee, Cigarettes & Memories
Vocal jazz - Pubblicato da Parlophone UK il 14 set 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Essential Jeri Southern - 50 Classic Hits
Jazz - Pubblicato da Ap music il 6 mag 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Southern Style
Vocal jazz - Pubblicato da Decca il 6 gen 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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When Your Heart's On Fire
Jazz - Pubblicato da Geffen il 1 gen 1956
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jeri Southern Meets Cole Porter
Jazz - Pubblicato da CAPITOL CATALOG MKT (C92) il 4 apr 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ungrateful Heart
Jazz - Pubblicato da Vintage Music il 5 mag 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Prelude to a Kiss
Pop internazionale - Pubblicato da Music Manager il 6 gen 2021
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
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Jeri Southern At The Crescendo (Live At The Crescendo Club/1959)
Jazz - Pubblicato da CAPITOL CATALOG MKT (C92) il 1 gen 1960
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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A Prelude To A Kiss The Story Of A Love Affair
Jazz - Pubblicato da Verve Reissues il 1 gen 1956
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Warm Singing Style of Jeri Southern. The Complete Decca Years 1951-1957
Jazz - Pubblicato da Fresh Sound Records il 28 lug 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Autumn in New York
Musical - Pubblicato da Ling Music Group il 6 ott 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jeri Southern Meets Cole Porter / Jeri Southern at the Crescendo
Vocal jazz - Pubblicato da Stage Door il 1 gen 1959
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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You Better Go Now / When Your Heart's on Fire
Jazz - Pubblicato da Jasmine Records il 2 ott 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jeri Southern Meets Johnny Smith
Jazz - Pubblicato da Music Manager il 11 ott 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Very Thought Of You (Remastered)
Jazz - Pubblicato da RevOla il 30 mag 2019
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Warm Singing Style of Jeri Southern. The Complete Roulette & Capitolrecordings 1957-1959
Vocal jazz - Pubblicato da Fresh Sound Records il 14 lug 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo