Betty Carter | |
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![]() Carter performing at Pori Jazz in 1978 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Lillie Mae Jones |
Also known as | Lorene Carter; Lorraine Carter[1] |
Born | Flint, Michigan, U.S. | May 16, 1929
Died | September 26, 1998 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | (aged 69)
Genres | Jazz, post-bop |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | 1948–1998 |
Labels | Columbia, Peacock, ABC, Atco, United Artists, Roulette, Bet-Car, Verve |
Betty Carter (born Lillie Mae Jones; May 16, 1929 – September 26, 1998) was an American jazz singer known for her improvisational technique, scatting and other complex musical abilities that demonstrated her vocal talent and imaginative interpretation of lyrics and melodies.[1] Vocalist Carmen McRae once remarked: "There's really only one jazz singer—only one: Betty Carter."[2]: xiv [3]