Marie Bryant, USA born, was probably best known as a dancer in black revues rather than a singer but she can be seen and heard in the 1944 film clip of 'Jammin' The Blues' which features Lester Young amongst others.
She was in London in 1952, where she was appearing in the musical revue 'High Spirits' at the London Hippodrome, when these recordings were made.
The first three tracks were made for the small Lyragon label which specialised in recording calypsos and highlife music which was being introduced by the newly arrived black West Indian and African immigrants to the UK. They are taken from 78 rpm records and there is inevitably some background noise and crackle. Not really jazz, but some of the backing musicians had a later career in jazz.
The other four tracks were recorded with a regular jazz group and Marie sings these with a real jazz feel. There's some lovely trumpet from Humphrey Lyttelton too.
And just to show what she looked like during her dancing days, take a look at the 'cover' picture, unless Mr. BritJazz censors it. It is shown purely in the interest of jazz history of course.
FLAC from YouTube (Lyragon sides - thanks to original uploader) and cd re-issue with track details, label pictures and that 'cover' picture. Remember, it's for research purposes only. BritJazz doesn't do titivation.
(01-03)
Bertie King - alto
Mike McKenzie - piano
Unknown - guitar
Neville Boucarut - bass
Leslie Weeks - bongo
Marie Bryant - vocal
(04-07)
Humphrey Lyttelton - trumpet
Mike McKenzie - piano
Denny Wright - guitar
Jack Fallon - bass
Marie Bryant - vocal
01 Tomato (2:58)
02 Rhumboogie Anna (2:42)
03 My Handy Man (Razaf, Blake) (2:41)
04 Ain't Misbehavin' (Brooks, Razaf, Waller) (3:04)
05 Beale Street Blues (Handy) (3:09)
06 Georgia On My Mind (Carmichael, Gorrell) (3:03)
07 Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (Barris, Koehler, Moll) (2:39)
Label: Compilation
Recorded:
September 03 1952 (01-03)
October 02 1952 (04-05)
October 24 1952 (06-07)
Lineage: CD and YouTube?>FLAC
