Happy Birthday, Carmen McRae

Jazz singer Carmen McRae was born on April 8, 1920, in New York City. She was known as "The Singer's Singer" and won seven Grammy Awards. As critic Scott Yanow notes, McRae was best known for "her behind-the-beat phrasing and her ironic interpretations of lyrics."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album The Greatest of Carmen McRae (MCA). Unfortunately, the album is only available in vinyl, and Jim Determan, who updated the Lyons list, recommends the CD I'll Be Seeing You: A Tribute to Carmen McRae (GRC), which is  available from Barnes & Noble.

Lyons notes that McRae's "brilliance on 'You Took Advantage of Me'" helped earn her the 1954 Downbeat magazine award for Top New Singer. She sings that song here:

Robert
Facebook page