[Dixielandjazz] OT: Anita O'Day

[George Hardy Jr]

I love Anita O'day's musicality but tend to listen more to her best daughters, June Christy and Chris Connor. I know that Anita could sing circles around these two but she tried to be cute and funny too much for my taste. When she got down to singing she was one of the true greats. Listen to her on Basie's 1948 Royal Roost CD. 


----- Original Message ----- 
From: 
To: ErnestNagy at Starpower.net;jacsterling at comcast.net;sbrager at socal.rr.com
Cc: duke-lym at concordia.ca; dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
Sent: 11/24/2006 5:30:06 PM 
Subject: Re: OT: Anita O'Day


Don't feel sad for Anita.  She wasn't.  I too am a huge fan of hers.  She showed everyone that you could be white and be a real 1st class jazz singer, blues and all.  I'll tell you 2 quick stories.

This first one appeared in the NY Times a few years ago.  The Times sent an interviewer to the old age home she was living in LA.  When the reporter showed up at the front door, she took him into the common room where all the octogenarians were busy maintaining their consciousness while waiting to die.  She points to the reporter and announces to her housemates, "Dig this, the New York Times".  Hip right up to the end.

The second story is from the early 40's.  Jimmy Maxwell was playing lead trumpet with Goodman.  Anita came up to him one day and said, "Jim, if you can get me on Benny's band, I'll give you the best head you ever got".  Jimmy looked at her sideways, and she quickly added, "Uh, better than last time". 

There will never be another Anita.  God bless her.

DB