Carmen McRae

Carmen McRae was an American jazz singer and pianist who was active in the jazz world from the 1940s to the 1990s. Born in 1920, she began her career singing in small jazz clubs in the 1940s, but quickly rose to become one of the most respected jazz vocalists of all time. She was known for her scat singing, and was noted for her ability to interpret the work of other composers.

Some of McRae's most acclaimed albums include her 1954 debut album, The Great American Songbook, which featured her interpretations of songs by Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, and Cole Porter, as well as her later album, 1971's I'm Coming Home, which featured her own compositions. Her most successful single was the 1977 hit "I'm in the Mood for Love."

An interesting fact about Carmen McRae is that she was one of the first jazz vocalists to use a microphone in her performances. This was a revolutionary change for the time, as it allowed her to project her voice in a more controlled way, creating a more intimate sound.