Gloria Lynne
Encyclopedia
Gloria Lynne is an American
jazz vocalist with a recording career spanning from 1958 to 2007. Born Gloria Alleyne, Gloria Lynne grew up in Harlem
; her mother was a gospel singer
.
. She shared the stage with contemporary night club vocal ensembles as well as with Ella Fitzgerald
, recording as part of such groups as The Enchanters and The Dell-Tones in the 1950s. She recorded as a soloist under her birth name, though most of her work was released under her stage name on the Everest Records
and Fontana Records
labels. She was signed to Everest in 1958.
Although showing much promise early on, especially after TV appearances, including the Harry Belafonte Spectacular, her development suffered through poor management: some unscrupulous recording 'executives' profited while she was left virtually penniless, saved only by the fact that she was able to work steadily and earn her money from performance—still today she receives only a trickle of royalties.
In the 1960s she had several hits including "June Night", "Love I Found You", "I'm Glad There Is You
", "I Wish You Love
" (1964)—which became her signature song—and her answer to Gene McDaniels
's "Tower Of Strength", "(You don't have to be a) Tower Of Strength", a pop hit that proved how versatile she could be in the studio. After her time with Everest Records she moved to Fontana and recorded such albums as Soul Serenade, Love And A Woman, Where It's At, and Here, There And Everywhere, all of which showcased her versatility in jazz, RnB, soul and melodic "pop". During her earlier years on-the-road Gloria Lynne shared bills with some of the giants of RnB, jazz, pop and standards including Ray Charles
, Billy Eckstine
, Johnny Mathis
and Ella Fitzgerald
. Notable TV specials include two with Harry Belafonte
and duets with Billy Eckstine
. As Lynne moved into jazz in her later career she worked with top flight musicians and arrangers and performed with many of the jazz greats, including Quincy Jones
, Bobby Timmons
, Philly Joe Jones
, Harry "Sweets" Edison.
She famously wrote lyrics for “Watermelon Man” with Herbie Hancock
, and “All Day Long” with Kenny Burrell
. New York City proclaimed July 25, 1995 as Gloria Lynne Day. In 1996 Lynne received the International Women of Jazz Award and she was honored with a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation
in 1997. Other awards and recognitions include the National Treasure Award from the Seasoned Citizens Theatre Company (2003); induction into the National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame; Living Legend Award from the State of Pennsylvania (2007).
In June 2007 High Note Records released Gloria's latest CD "From My Heart To Yours", a musical journey from James Taylor
("The Secret O' Life"), Michel Legrand
("How Do You Keep The Music Playing") and styling on classics like "It's Magic". Lynne continues to record and write near her home in New York. In February 2008 British writer/performer Graham Hunter published the first of a six part feature and rare interview with Lynne in the UK Beat Magazine, renewing interest in the soul singer/songwriter.
On May 6, 2008, Gloria Lynne was presented with a special award for 'Outstanding Achievement In Jazz' at the New York MAC Awards and on October 22, 2010 she was honored at the Schomburg Library in NYC by Great Women In Music founder Roz Nixon for her many contributions to the music industry and the world.
Along with her son Richard Alleyne, Lynne is involved in their production company Family Bread Music Inc.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz vocalist with a recording career spanning from 1958 to 2007. Born Gloria Alleyne, Gloria Lynne grew up in Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
; her mother was a gospel singer
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
.
Career
As a young girl, Lynne sang with the local African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Choir. At the age of 15, she won first prize at the "Amateur Night" at the Apollo TheaterApollo Theater
The Apollo Theater in New York City is one of the most famous, and older, music halls in the United States, and the most famous club associated almost exclusively with Black performers...
. She shared the stage with contemporary night club vocal ensembles as well as with Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
, recording as part of such groups as The Enchanters and The Dell-Tones in the 1950s. She recorded as a soloist under her birth name, though most of her work was released under her stage name on the Everest Records
Everest Records
Everest Records was a stereophonic record label based in Bayside, Long Island started by Harry D. Belock and Bert Whyte in May 1958. It was devoted mainly to classical music.-History:...
and Fontana Records
Fontana Records
Fontana Records is a record label which was started in the 1950s as a subsidiary of the Dutch Philips Records; when Philips restructured its music operations it dropped Fontana in favor of Vertigo Records. In the seventies PolyGram acquired the dormant label....
labels. She was signed to Everest in 1958.
Although showing much promise early on, especially after TV appearances, including the Harry Belafonte Spectacular, her development suffered through poor management: some unscrupulous recording 'executives' profited while she was left virtually penniless, saved only by the fact that she was able to work steadily and earn her money from performance—still today she receives only a trickle of royalties.
In the 1960s she had several hits including "June Night", "Love I Found You", "I'm Glad There Is You
I'm Glad There Is You
I'm Glad There Is You is a song written by Jimmy Dorsey and Paul Madeira first published in 1941...
", "I Wish You Love
I Wish You Love (song)
"I Wish You Love" is a popular song. The music was written by Léo Chauliac, with French lyrics under the title "Que reste-t-il de nos amours ? " by Charles Trenet....
" (1964)—which became her signature song—and her answer to Gene McDaniels
Gene McDaniels
Gene McDaniels was an American singer and songwriter, who had his greatest recording success in the early 1960s.-Biography:...
's "Tower Of Strength", "(You don't have to be a) Tower Of Strength", a pop hit that proved how versatile she could be in the studio. After her time with Everest Records she moved to Fontana and recorded such albums as Soul Serenade, Love And A Woman, Where It's At, and Here, There And Everywhere, all of which showcased her versatility in jazz, RnB, soul and melodic "pop". During her earlier years on-the-road Gloria Lynne shared bills with some of the giants of RnB, jazz, pop and standards including Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
, Billy Eckstine
Billy Eckstine
William Clarence Eckstine was an American singer of ballads and a bandleader of the swing era. Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big-band, then as the first romantic black male in popular...
, Johnny Mathis
Johnny Mathis
John Royce "Johnny" Mathis is an American singer of popular music. Starting his career with singles of standards, he became highly popular as an album artist, with several dozen of his albums achieving gold or platinum status, and 73 making the Billboard charts...
and Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
. Notable TV specials include two with Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte
Harold George "Harry" Belafonte, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, actor and social activist. He was dubbed the "King of Calypso" for popularizing the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s...
and duets with Billy Eckstine
Billy Eckstine
William Clarence Eckstine was an American singer of ballads and a bandleader of the swing era. Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big-band, then as the first romantic black male in popular...
. As Lynne moved into jazz in her later career she worked with top flight musicians and arrangers and performed with many of the jazz greats, including Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
, Bobby Timmons
Bobby Timmons
Robert Henry "Bobby" Timmons was an African American jazz pianist and composer.He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is best known for his role as sideman in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and the composition of "Moanin'", "Dat Dere", and "This Here", each of which are typical of his...
, Philly Joe Jones
Philly Joe Jones
Joseph Rudolph Jones was a Philadelphia-born United States jazz drummer, known as the drummer for the Miles Davis Quintet.Philly Joe Jones was often confused with another influential jazz drummer, Jo Jones...
, Harry "Sweets" Edison.
She famously wrote lyrics for “Watermelon Man” with Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock
Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound...
, and “All Day Long” with Kenny Burrell
Kenny Burrell
Kenneth Earl "Kenny" Burrell is an American jazz guitarist. His playing is grounded in bebop and blues; he has performed and recorded with a wide range of jazz musicians.-Biography:...
. New York City proclaimed July 25, 1995 as Gloria Lynne Day. In 1996 Lynne received the International Women of Jazz Award and she was honored with a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation
Rhythm and Blues Foundation
The Rhythm and Blues Foundation is an independent American nonprofit organization dedicated to the historical and cultural preservation of rhythm and blues music....
in 1997. Other awards and recognitions include the National Treasure Award from the Seasoned Citizens Theatre Company (2003); induction into the National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame; Living Legend Award from the State of Pennsylvania (2007).
In June 2007 High Note Records released Gloria's latest CD "From My Heart To Yours", a musical journey from James Taylor
James Taylor
James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000....
("The Secret O' Life"), Michel Legrand
Michel Legrand
Michel Jean Legrand is a French musical composer, arranger, conductor, and pianist...
("How Do You Keep The Music Playing") and styling on classics like "It's Magic". Lynne continues to record and write near her home in New York. In February 2008 British writer/performer Graham Hunter published the first of a six part feature and rare interview with Lynne in the UK Beat Magazine, renewing interest in the soul singer/songwriter.
On May 6, 2008, Gloria Lynne was presented with a special award for 'Outstanding Achievement In Jazz' at the New York MAC Awards and on October 22, 2010 she was honored at the Schomburg Library in NYC by Great Women In Music founder Roz Nixon for her many contributions to the music industry and the world.
Along with her son Richard Alleyne, Lynne is involved in their production company Family Bread Music Inc.
Discography
- The Enchanters (members Della Simpson, Pearl Brice, Frances Kelly and Gloria Alleyne)
- The Enchanters (members Della Simpson, Sherry Gary, Frances Kelly and Gloria Alleyne)
- The Dell-Tones (members Della Simpson, Sherry Gary, Frances Kelly and Gloria Alleyne)
- Brunswick 85015 - My Heart's On Fire / Yours Alone – 1953
- Rainbow 244 - I'm Not In Love With You / Little Short Daddy – 1954
- Josie 767 - When I Say My Prayer / The Uncloudy Day - 1954
- The Dell-Tones (members Della Simpson, Shirley "Bunny" Foy, Algie Willie and Renee Stewart a former member of The Solirettes)
- Brunswick 85015 - My Heart's On Fire / Yours Alone – 1953
- Rainbow 244 - I'm Not In Love With You / Little Short Daddy – 1954
- Josie 767 - When I Say My Prayers / Uncloudy Day – 1954
- Ember 1002 - Cool Daddy / Affection – 1956
- Seeco 6037 - Little Boy Blues / Way Beyond The Hills – 1959
- Everest SDBR 1063 - Lonely and Sentimental (LP) - 1959
- Everest 19303 - June Night / Perdido – 1959
- Everest 19308 - But Not For Me / Just In Time - 1959
- Everest 19326 - Be My Love / My Prayer For You – 1960
- Everest 19337 - Happiness Is Just A Thing Called Joe / My Reverie – 1960
- Everest 19343 - June Night / Perdido – 1960
- Everest 19346 - Am I Blue / Little Girl Blue – 1960
- Everest 19347 - They Didn't Believe Me / Without A Song – 1960
- Everest 19367 - Gypsy Boy / Recommended To Love – 1960
- Everest 19373 - Condemned Without Trial / Dreamy – 1960
- Everest 19390 - The Jazz In You / Love, I've Found You – 1960
- Everest 19409 - He Needs Me / The Lamp Is Low – 1961
- Everest 19418 - Impossible / This Little Boy Of Mine – 1961
- Everest 19428 - You Don't Have To Be A Tower Of Strength / I Will Follow Him - 1961 *an "answer" record to the 1961 release "Tower Of Strength" by Gene McDaniels on Liberty 55371.
- Seeco 6077 - Is There Someone For Me / I'm Not Afraid Anymore – 1961
- Everest 19431 - And This Is My Beloved / I'm Glad There Is YouI'm Glad There Is YouI'm Glad There Is You is a song written by Jimmy Dorsey and Paul Madeira first published in 1941...
- 1962 - Everest 20008 - I Know Love / It Just Happened To Me – 1962
- Everest 2023 - I'll Buy You A Star / Record Company Blues – 1963
- Everest 2030 - Humming Blues / Stormy Monday Blues – 1963
- Everest 2036 - I Wish You Love* / Through A Long And Sleepless Night - 1964 *also recorded in 1955 by Keely Smith on Capitol 3445
- Everest 2042 - I Should Care / Indian Love Call – 1964
- Fontana 1890 - Be Anything (But Be Mine)* / Soul Serenade - 1964 (some copies issued with picture sleeve; also recorded in 1964 by Connie Francis on MGM 13237)
- Everest 2044 - Don't Take Your Love From Me / You Don't Know What Love Is – 1964
- Everest 2047 - Serenade In Blue / Without A Song – 1964
- Everest 2051 - On Christmas Day / Wouldn't It Be Loverly – 1964
- Everest 2055 - Fly Me To The Moon / The Night Has A Thousand Eyes – 1965
- Everest 2058 - Out Of This World / Squeeze Me – 1965
- Everest 2059 - Lonely Street / Try A Little Tenderness – 1965
- Everest 2061 - Folks Who Live On The Hill / That's A Joy – 1965
- Everest 2062 - My Devotion / I'm Glad There Is You – 1965
- Fontana 1507 - The Touch Of Your Lips / Intimate Moments – 1965
- Fontana 1511 - Watermelon Man / All Alone – 1965
- Fontana 1523 - Whisperers / I Understand – 1965
- Hi Fi 5103 - I Wish You Love / A Long Long Story – 1966
- Fontana 1538 - Sometimes It Be's That Way / Speaking Of Happiness – 1966
- Fontana 1554 - Strangers In The Night / Candy Man – 1966
- Fontana 1560 - Money Machine / I Got What You Want – 1966
- Fontana 1567 - Love Is / It's Not The Truth – 1967
- Fontana 1594 - Foolish Dreamer / I Can't Stand It – 1967
- Fontana Fd-1 - Watermelon Man / All Alone – 1968
- Fontana 1617 - Down Here On The Ground / I've Never Been Loved Before - 1968
- Fontana 1627 - The Guy Who Lived Up There / Hold Back The Dawn – 1968
- Fontana 1639 - I've Got To Be Someone / Problem Child – 1969
- Fontana 1660 - Darlin' / No Easy Way Down – 1969
- Fontana 1674 - Hold It / Untouched By Human Love – 1969
- Fontana 1966 - Be Anything (But Be Mine) / Soul Serenade - ?
- Canyon 36 - If You Don't Get It Yourself / Love's Finally Found Me – 1970
- Roker 504 - Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong / Take You All The Way - 1970
- Mercury 73267 - Never My Love / Summer Knows – 1972
- Mercury 73294 - Just Let Me Be Me / Kickin' Life – 1972
- Impulse 31003 - Out Of This World / Thank You, Early Bird – 1976
- Everest LP discography (Mono / Stereo #):
- Miss Gloria Lynne 5022 / 1022
- Lonely And Sentimental 5063 / 1063
- Try A Little Tenderness 5090 / 1090
- Day In, Day Out 5101 / 1101
- I'm Glad There Is You 5126 / 1126
- He Needs Me 5128 / 1128
- This Little Boy Of Mine 5131 / 1131
- Gloria Lynne at Basin Street East 5137 / 1137
- Gloria Blue 5203 / 1203
- Gloria Lynne at The Las Vegas Thunderbird 5208 / 1208
- Gloria, Marty and Strings 5220 / 1220
- I Wish You Love 5226 / 1226 (1964)
- Glorious Gloria Lynne 5228 / 1228
External links
- Gloria Lynne via soulfulkindamusic.com
- Gloria Lynne via Verve RecordsVerve RecordsVerve Records is an American jazz record label now owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded by Norman Granz in 1956, absorbing the catalogues of his earlier labels, Clef Records and Norgran Records , and material which had been licensed to Mercury previously.-Jazz and folk origins:The Verve...
- http://www.afrocentricnews.com/html/gloria_lynne.html
- Gloria Lynne, Soul Serenade album info at Discogs
- http://www.thebeatmagazine.com
- http://www.grahamhunter.com