Carmen Mercedes McRae (1920-1994) was an important jazz artist in the 1920’s. Not only was she a jazz vocalist, but she was also a composer, pianist, and actress. Sometimes called the “Painter of Song”, she is still remembered for the powerful way she made lyrics come alive.
Carmen Mercedes McRae (1920-1994) was an important jazz artist in the 1920’s. Not only was she a jazz vocalist, but she was also a composer, pianist, and actress. Sometimes called the “Painter of Song”, she is still remembered for the powerful way she made lyrics come alive.
Special thanks to our exclusive Pride Month sponsor, Mercedes-Benz! Mercedes-Benz continues to support and stand with the LGBTQIA+ community. Listen all month long as we celebrate women whose authentic expression in their lives and bodies of work have expanded the norms of gender and sexuality in the performing arts.
History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Liz Smith, Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Ale Tejeda, Sara Schleede, and Alex Jhamb Burns. Special thanks to Shira Atkins.
Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.
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Hello! From Wonder Media Network, I’m Carmen Borca-Carrillo, and this is Womanica.
June is Pride Month, and to celebrate, we’re highlighting queer stars of the stage and screen. They’re women who expanded the norms of gender and sexuality in the limelight, and behind the scenes. I helped curate the month, and I’m so excited to guest host this episode.
Today, we’re talking about a woman who was an important jazz artist in the 1920’s. Not only was she a jazz vocalist, but she was also a composer, pianist, and actress. Sometimes called the “Painter of Song”, she is still remembered for the powerful way she made lyrics come alive. Let’s talk about Carmen McRae.
Carmen McRae was born on April 8, 1920 at Harlem Hospital in New York City. She was born to middle class immigrant parents from Jamaica, who were able to buy a piano and pay for their daughter’s lessons. Growing up, she heard the songs of jazz giants like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington in her home.
She received five years of formal piano training and attended the Julia Richman High School in Manhattan where she was enrolled in both academic and secretarial courses.
Like many of her contemporaries, her first big break transpired at an amateur talent contest at the Apollo Theater. At only seventeen, she was discovered by Irene Kitchings, whose husband was Teddy Wilson, a prominent jazz pianist.
Through Teddy Wilson, Carmen met the legendary Billie Holiday. This connection led to an early success in Carmen’s career when Billie Holiday recorded one of her early songs, “Dream of Life”.
Although her parents had supported her piano pursuits when she was younger, they did not look favorably upon her pursuing a career in show business. They stressed the importance of her pursuing a practical profession. So, after finishing high school, Carmen spent two years doing clerical work for the government in Washington D.C.
In an interview, she once said, “My early career didn’t have much continuity because my parents were so set against it and it was hard for me to go against their wishes. I loved them very much and didn’t want to be disrespectful to them.”
Carmen returned to Brooklyn in 1943 where she continued to hold down a day job while working music venues at night. It was at one of these venues, the famed Harlem Minton’s Playhouse, that she crossed paths with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and drummer Kenny Clarke. Carmen went on to marry Kenny, although the marriage only lasted a few years.
It was around this time that she decided to transition into music full time. She first kicked off her career by substituting for singers in other acclaimed bands such as Benny Carter, Count Basie, and Earl Hines. It was in 1946 that she was asked by Mercer Ellington, the son of Duke Ellington, to sing with his recently formed group.
She sang with them for a year and a half but when the band broke up in Chicago, she decided to stay there and launch her solo career.
After a few more years in Chicago, she moved back to New York and took a position as a stand-up singer at Minton’s Playhouse. In 1954, Down Beat magazine declared her “Most Promising New Vocalist.” The following year she released her first solo album with Bethlehem Records and later signed with Decca records.
Carmen married another musician, bassist Ike Isaacs, though like her first marriage, it ended in divorce. At the time, there was strong speculation that Carmen was bisexual. She was often seen out and about with female partners with whom she was rumored to have romantic relationships.
Over the following decades, Carmen continued to make and record music. According to some of her fans, her voice only got better with age and much of her notoriety came from her lyrical delivery. She was known for imbuing songs with her personal connection to the lyrics along with word stress and vibrato.
Over the course of her career, she played with big names including the Dave Brubeck Quartet and Louis Armstrong.
Carmen suffered a stroke and died at her home in Beverly Hills in November of 1994. In her will, she asked that there not be a funeral nor a memorial but just that she be remembered by her music.
Her prolific career spanned five decades and over sixty albums. She is most certainly remembered by her music and her lyrical genius remains an inspiration to artists today.
For more information, find us on Facebook and Instagram @womanicapodcast.
Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator.
Talk to you tomorrow!