Betty Carter

Betty Carter (May 16 1930 – September 26, 1998) was a prominent American jazz singer, who was renowned for her improvisational techniques.

Related Topics:
May 16 - 1930 - September 26 - 1998 - American - Jazz - Singer

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Carter was born Lillie Mae Jones in Flint, Michigan and grew up in Detroit, where her father led a church choir. She studied piano at the Detroit Conservatory. She won a talent contest and became a regular on the local club circuit, singing and playing piano.

Related Topics:
Flint, Michigan - Detroit

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When she was sixteen, she sang with Charlie Parker. She later performed with Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis and toured with Lionel Hampton, where she perfected her scat singing of bebop.

Related Topics:
Charlie Parker - Dizzy Gillespie - Miles Davis - Lionel Hampton - Scat singing - Bebop

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Her career eclipsed somewhat during the 1960s and 1970s, but a series of duets with Ray Charles brought her a measure of popular recognition. She was well-received at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1977 and 1978. Carter won a Grammy in 1988 for her album Look What I Got.

Related Topics:
Ray Charles - Newport Jazz Festival - Grammy

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In 1993, Carter helped launch the Jazz Ahead program for young musicians at the Kennedy Center. In 1994, she performed at the White House was a headliner at Verve's 50th anniverary celebration in Carnegie Hall.

Related Topics:
Kennedy Center - White House - Verve - Carnegie Hall

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In 1997, she was awarded a National Medal of Arts by President President Clinton. Carter remained active until her death in 1998 at age 69 from pancreatic cancer.

Related Topics:
National Medal of Arts - President Clinton - Pancreatic cancer

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