Jazz Pick Of The Week - Lee Wiley

My favorite canary (girl singer) from the early jazz/big band era is Lee Wiley. Wiley (1908-1975) is little known today outside of  jazz aficionados, but she should be. Great name, gorgeous and possessing ...a smoky, sensual singing voice that still mesmerizes. I got hooked on her singing about 20 years ago. In 1939, she originated the concept album featuring only songs of one composer. Here is one of her best, "Lets Fly Away" from her 1940 Cole Porter album. The trumpeter is jazz legend Bunny Berrigan, one of her music pals she did fly away with and compromise.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGheSn5MSLg