Joya Sherrill, 85; sang with Ellington and Goodman

[Forkboy]

NEW YORK — Joya Sherrill, who sang with Duke Ellington as a teenager, toured the Soviet Union with Benny Goodman, and was one of the first African-American performers to host a children’s television show, died June 28 at her home in Great Neck, N.Y. She was 85.

Her death was confirmed by her son, Richard Guilmenot III, who said she had been suffering from leukemia.

Born in Bayonne, N.J., Joya Sherrill originally aspired to be a writer. While she was still in high school, her father arranged through a mutual friend for her to meet Duke Ellington so she could sing him the lyrics she had written to his theme song, “Take the ‘A’ Train.’’

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2010/07/10/joya_sherrill_85_jazz_singer_who_performed_with_ellington/

R.I.P. Joya.

[lazarus]

1. love that old music

I just bought Billie Holliday's version of Stars Fell On Alabama.

[Forkboy]

2. I'm a big Elleington fan, so this was sad news.

To me, her version is THE version.

You can't go wrong picking up Stars Fell On Alabama. I was hooked on that back in the early 90's when thrash and punk and my usual faves seemed to lose focus. It was great to hear honest to goodness music, because a lot of what I liked was either fading out or in transition at the time, trying to decide what it wanted to be. Music has to be honest for me, and all genres can produce this, but certain ones do so far more often. I'm so glad I found jazz and it's honesty. I may still be a black metal guy, but throw on some Buddy Rich or Charlie Parker or Billie Holliday and I'm there. :)