Helen Merrill | |
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Birth name | Jelena Ana Milcetic[1] |
Born | New York City, New York, U.S. | July 21, 1929
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Vocalist |
Years active | 1944–present |
Labels | EmArcy, Verve |
Helen Merrill (born Jelena Ana Milcetic; July 21, 1929)[2] is an American jazz vocalist. Her first album, the eponymous 1954 recording Helen Merrill (with Clifford Brown on EmArcy), was an immediate success and associated her with the first generation of bebop jazz musicians.[3] After an active 1950s and 1960s, Merrill spent time recording and touring in Europe and Japan,[4] falling into obscurity in the United States. In the 1980s and 1990s, she was recorded by EmArcy, JVC and Verve, and her performances in America revived her profile.[3][5] Known for her emotional, sensual vocal performances, she continues to perform today, her career now in its sixth decade of concerts and recordings.