Una Mae Carlisle | |
|---|---|
 Una Mae Carlisle, c. 1945 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1915-12-26)December 26, 1915 Zanesville, Ohio, United States |
| Died | November 7, 1956(1956-11-07) (aged 40) Harlem, New York, United States |
| Genres | Jazz,swing,stride |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, pianist, composer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano |
Una Mae Carlisle (December 26, 1915 – November 7, 1956)[1] was an Americanjazz singer, pianist, and songwriter.
Carlisle was born inZanesville,Ohio, the daughter of Mellie and Edward Carlisle.[2][3][4][5] She was of African and Native American descent.[6] Trained to play piano by her mother, she was performing in public by age three.
Still a child, she performed regularly on radio stationWHIO (AM) inDayton, Ohio.
In 1932, while she was still in her teens,Fats Waller discovered Carlisle while she worked as a localCincinnati, Ohio, performer live and on radio.[7] Her piano style was very much influenced by Waller's; she played in aboogie-woogie/stride style and incorporated humor into her sets.
She played solo from 1937, touring Europe repeatedly and recording with Waller late in the 1930s.[7]
In the 1940s, Carlisle recorded as a leader forBluebird Records, with sidemen such asLester Young,Benny Carter, andJohn Kirby.[7] She had a longtime partnership with producer/publisher/managerJoe Davis, which began after her contract with Bluebird expired. Her records under Davis included performances fromRay Nance,Budd Johnson, andShadow Wilson.
She also saw success as a songwriter. Her 1941 song "Walkin' By The River" made her "the first black woman to have a composition appear on aBillboard chart".[6]Cab Calloway andPeggy Lee were among those who covered her tunes. She had her own radio show,The Una Mae Carlisle Radio Show onWJZ-ABC, making her the "first black American to host a national radio show";[6] and television programs in the 1940s.[citation needed]
Carlisle was married to Johnnie Bradford, a formermerchant marine. They married in September 11, 1941. Bradford was the owner of Gee-Haw Stables, a jazz venue inHarlem.
Carlisle suffered from chronicmastoiditis, requiring repeated surgeries and hospitalizations.[8]
Partial list of phonograph recordings:[9]
Compilations:
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