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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Yestedays Gardenias
Jeri Southern, Lennie Hayton Orchestra
Jazz - Lançado por Music City Entertainment em 19/06/2017
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What's My Name
Jazz - Lançado por Black Sheep Music em 03/02/2012
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My Old Flame
Vocal Jazz - Lançado por Lumi OMP em 10/07/2011
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The Ultimate
Pop - Lançado por Parlophone UK em 20/08/2002
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Southern Breeze (2018 Digitally Remastered)
Jazz - Lançado por AVID Jazz em 06/04/2018
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The Southern Style (2018 Digitally Remastered)
Jazz - Lançado por AVID Jazz em 06/04/2018
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A Prelude to a Kiss (2018 Digitally Remastered)
Jazz - Lançado por AVID Jazz em 06/04/2018
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Sings Cole Porter
Jazz - Lançado por CoolNote em 01/01/2000
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Jazz Treasures
Vocal Jazz - Lançado por Music Manager em 23/06/2015
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The Greatest Hits Collection
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Lançado por Music Manager em 07/05/2015
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Jeri Southern At The Crecendo
Jazz - Lançado por Music Manager em 01/01/2011
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Jeri Southern Meets Cole Porter
Jazz - Lançado por Music Manager em 17/09/2009
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I Like the Likes of You
Jeri Southern, Orchestra Conducted by Marty Paich, Jeri Southern with Camarata and His Orchestra
Pop - Lançado por Rare Vintage Records em 01/11/2020
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When Your Heart's on Fire
World - Lançado por TP4 Music em 06/01/2021
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This Time the Dream's On Me (Blues in the Night)
Jeri Southern, Lennie Hayton Orchestra
Pop - Lançado por Rare Vintage Records em 01/11/2020
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A Prelude to a Kiss
World - Lançado por TP4 Music em 06/01/2021
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Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair)
Pop - Lançado por Rare Vintage Records em 01/11/2020
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You Better Go Now
World - Lançado por TP4 Music em 06/01/2021
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Warm Vol. 2
World - Lançado por TP4 Music em 06/01/2020
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Jeri Southern Meets Johnny Smith
World - Lançado por TP4 Music em 11/10/2022
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Jeri Gently Jumps
World - Lançado por TP4 Music em 22/12/2021
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