Una Mae Carlisle

Biography

Una Mae Carlisle (December 26, 1915 – November 7, 1956) was an American jazz singer, pianist, and songwriter born in Xenia, Ohio. She began performing as a child on radio station WHIO in Dayton, Ohio, and by her early teens ran away from home to pursue music in Cleveland, where she was influenced by Fats Waller. Discovered by Waller in Cincinnati around 1932 while still in her teens, she appeared on his radio program at age 13 and developed a piano style blending boogie-woogie, stride, swing, jazz, blues, and bebop, often incorporating humor. In 1934, she briefly worked as a showgirl at the Cotton Club in Harlem but quit due to the environment, later joining Lew Leslie's Blackbirds of 1936, which toured Europe and made her a star in London, Paris, Cairo, and beyond.[1][2][5][7]

Fun Facts

• Ran away from home at age 12 to pursue music in Cleveland and met Fats Waller, who became her key influence.
• Played at King Farouk of Egypt's wedding in 1937, honored by the royal family.
• Operated her own club in Paris's Montmartre for several months in 1939 and studied advanced harmony at the Sorbonne.
• First African American to have her own weekly national radio program on the American Broadcasting Company.

Associated Acts

• Una Mae Carlise and Her Jam Band - eponymous

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Fats Waller - Primary mentor and discoverer who influenced her piano style and boogie-woogie/stride approach (Radio appearances (1932), recordings including 'I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby' (1939), 'Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep' (1940)) [1932-1940]

Key Collaborators

• Lester Young - Sideman on recordings ('Blitzkrieg Baby') [1940s]
• Benny Carter - Sideman on recordings and Hit Parade hits ('Walkin' By The River') [1940s]
• John Kirby - Sideman and band recording (1941 recordings, 'I See a Million People') [1941]
• Charlie Shavers - Sideman on recordings ('I See a Million People') [1940s]
• Ray Nance - Sideman on Joe Davis recordings after leaving Duke Ellington ('T'ain't Yours') [1944-1940s]
• Danny Polo - Combo leader in Paris (Four sides for Decca (1939)) [1939]
• Dave Wilkins and Bertie King - Backing band in London (Vocalion sessions including 'Don't Try Your Jive On Me' (1938)) [1938]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz