Biography
Mary Stallings is a renowned American jazz vocalist born on August 16, 1939, in San Francisco, California. She was the middle child of eleven siblings and began performing professionally at a young age with her mother and sisters in a gospel group. Stallings' early exposure to jazz came from her uncle, saxophonist Orlando Stallings, who encouraged her to develop her unique sound. She was influenced by jazz legends such as Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae, and Ella Fitzgerald. By her teens, Stallings was performing in San Francisco nightclubs alongside notable musicians like Ben Webster and Cal Tjader. Her career highlights include a three-year residency with the Count Basie Orchestra from 1969 to 1972 and collaborations with Dizzy Gillespie and Billy Eckstine. Stallings took a hiatus from music to raise her daughter, Adriana Evans, but returned to full-time singing in the early 1980s. Her discography includes notable albums like Cal Tjader Plays, Mary Stallings Sings and Live at the Village Vanguard. Stallings' style is characterized by her soulful voice, blues-inflected phrasing, and empathic lyric interpretation. Despite her talent, she has often been overlooked for widespread fame, yet continues to inspire new generations of jazz enthusiasts. Her legacy is marked by her enduring passion for jazz and her ability to connect emotionally with her audience through her performances.
Fun Facts
- Mary Stallings made her recording debut as a pre-teen with a gospel 78 under the name 'Little Miss Mary Stallings'.
- She performed at the Prague National Theater in 2011, marking the first time a jazz artist appeared at the venue.
- Stallings served as a Resident Artistic Director for SFJAZZ during the 2016-2017 season.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Orlando Stallings - uncle and saxophonist who encouraged her to develop her unique sound (None specified) [Early career]
Key Collaborators
- Cal Tjader - collaborated on Cal Tjader Plays, Mary Stallings Sings (Cal Tjader Plays, Mary Stallings Sings) [1961]
- Dizzy Gillespie - toured with his band in South America (None specified) [1965-1966]
- Count Basie Orchestra - three-year residency as singer (None specified) [1969-1972]
- Gene Harris - collaborated on I Waited for You (I Waited for You) [1994]
- Gerald Wiggins - collaborated on Spectrum (Spectrum) [1995]
- Geri Allen - produced Remember Love (Remember Love) [2005]
Artists Influenced
- Adriana Evans - daughter who is an R&B singer (None specified) [Throughout her career]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan Moods | 1997-01-01 | Album |
| Songs Were Made to Sing | 2019-05-17 | Album |
| Spectrum | 1996-02-27 | Album |
| Live at the Village Vanguard | 2001 | Album |
| Feelin' Good | 2015-03-17 | Album |
| Cal Tjader Plays, Mary Stallings Sings | 2005-01-01 | Album |
| But Beautiful | 2013-06-25 | Album |
| I Waited For You | 1994-09-30 | Album |
| Don't Look Back | 2012-03-27 | Album |
| Dream | 2010-10-05 | Album |
| Leopard Lady | 2015-08-20 | Album |
| Rare Retro Sounds | 2014-05-07 | Album |
| Opulent Event | 2014-04-03 | Album |
| Afternoon Tunes | 2014-03-24 | Album |
| Live at the Village Vanguard | 2013-07-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Black Coffee (Spectrum)
- When I Close My Eyes (Songs Were Made to Sing)
- This Can't Be Love (Manhattan Moods)
- 'Round Midnight (Songs Were Made to Sing)
- Lullaby Of The Leaves (Manhattan Moods)
- Sweet And Lovely (Manhattan Moods)
- Surrey With The Fringe On Top (Manhattan Moods)
- Black Coffee
- Sunday Kind of Love (Live) (Live at the Village Vanguard)
- You Go To My Head (Manhattan Moods)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Mary Stallings has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13, 2025 | 07:10 | Black Coffeefrom Spectrum | The Morning Setw/ Stuart Hall |