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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Jeri Southern - The Selection
Jazz - Erschienen bei Vintage Jukebox am 11.09.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Everything But You
Jeri Southern, Ralph Burns and his Orchestra
Pop - Erschienen bei Rare Vintage Records am 01.11.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Southern Hospitality
World Music - Erschienen bei TP4 Music am 06.01.2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
All the Best
Jazz - Erschienen bei Don't stop the music am 11.06.2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Jeri Southern Meets Cole Porter
World Music - Erschienen bei TP4 Music am 04.04.2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair)
Pop - Erschienen bei Rare Vintage Records am 01.11.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Warm Kiss - Jeri Southern
Jazz - Erschienen bei ISIS am 17.01.2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jeri Southern - Platinum Selection
Jazz - Erschienen bei Retro Music Box am 29.09.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
He Reminds Me of You
Jeri Southern, Orchestra Conducted by Marty Paich
Pop - Erschienen bei Rare Vintage Records am 01.11.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In the Beginning...
Jazz - Erschienen bei Ap music am 31.10.2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jeri Southern Dave Barbour Trio Daydreamer Passion
Jeri Southern, Jeri Southern Dave Barbour Trio
Pop - Erschienen bei Studio Masters Rec. am 11.07.2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jeri Southern Too Marvelous for Words
Pop - Erschienen bei Studio Masters Rec. am 10.07.2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Very Thought of You (The Decca Years: 1951-1957)
Jazz - Erschienen bei SINETONE AMR am 18.02.2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
When Your Heart's on Fire
Lounge - Erschienen bei Ancien Prodige am 29.04.2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jeri Southern Meets Cole Porter
Lounge - Erschienen bei Ancien Prodige am 04.04.2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jeri Southern Meets Johnny Smith
Lounge - Erschienen bei Ancien Prodige am 11.10.2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Southern Style
Lounge - Erschienen bei Ancien Prodige am 06.01.2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jeri Gently Jumps
Lounge - Erschienen bei Ancien Prodige am 22.12.2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo