SOUTHERN Jeri 1955

Jeri Southern possessed a great smokey voice. Her delivery was soft and sultry... Enjoy at your own risk!

SOUTHERN STYLE

Born in rural Nebraska, Genevieve Lillian Hering stage-name Jeri Southern (1926-1991) was a jazz pianist and singer. She studied classical piano and voice at a school in Omaha, but after an introduction to jazz at a local nightclub, Southern quickly changed her focus. After graduation, she moved to Chicago and began making appearances at clubs during the late 40's, occasionally supporting Anita O'Day. Convinced to begin singing as well, Southern abandoned her classical training and began singing in a voice just several steps removed from her speaking voice.
She signed with Decca Records in 1951 and became known both for pop and jazz. The 1950's saw her at the height of her importance. In that decade she sang in a few films and in 1957 she had a top 30 hit "Fire Down Below." After her switch to Capitol Records she had success doing interpretations of Cole Porter with Billy May arranging some of the more humorous examples.
After Southern recorded two LPs for Roulette during 1958, she moved to Capitol for her most celebrated album, 1959's "Jeri Southern Meets Cole Porter", arranged by Billy May. She recorded only one additional LP for Capitol "Live at the Crescendo" before retiring in 1961, disgusted at the state of traditional pop. She married several times, raised a family and worked as a piano/vocal coach in Hollywood until her death in 1991.

To be continued...

10 comments:

friday817 said...

Another one of my favorites. If you haven't heard her yet, you absolutely have to get this one. Just one warning - she's absolutely addictive and her recordings are none too easy to find.

Pam

Unknown said...

I had this record but it was all scratched--what a joy to hear it again with better sound.-Tom

moxnix said...

thanks for the southern and richards lp's , looking forward to the she sings reopening. here is a link to clifford brown sextet in paris i found on soulseek.

http://rapidshare.com/files/18801846/The_Clifford_Brown_Sextet_In_Paris__1953_.rar

thanks again, tom

JUST ME said...

TOM, THERE WILL NEVER BE A REOPENING OF "SHE SINGS" THE TWO BLOGS MERGED HERE... THERE WILL BE ENOUGH SINGERS FOR EVERYONE... BEST. DANIEL

Anonymous said...

So many people whose taste I respect love Jeri Southern, so I downloaded this to try again to like her singing. Maybe she's too understated and subtle for me to appreciate. To my ears, every song gets the same treatment from her and no sex or humor ever comes through. Maybe I'll eventually "get" Jeri Southern.

JUST ME said...

KEEP TRYING JAY, YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK!!! BEST. DANIEL

soilworker said...

I understand jayh. Jeri Southern's style is very special. You need to get used to it before you can fully enjoy her recordings.

kiken said...

This is my first recording of Jeri Southern I happened to listen to when I was young. I really liked her simplicity and beauty right away. It is funny that something so attractive to some people can fails to reach out to others.
Kiken

KenPaul66 said...

I love Jeri Southern. But I do agree with you guys. Her style is special/different. You either get it or you don't. One thing with Jeri, you can't judge her by just one album. Some of her catalog should be on the must-have "stranded on a desert island" list and but some of it leaves me feeling exhausted and beaten-up. Her version of "He Dances Overhead" & "An Occasional Man" set the standard.

ken

moxnix said...

listening to jeri southern is an acquired taste and those who do not give her more than a passing chance are the ones who will miss out . jayh , try late night with a perfectly quiet home and you will discover the joy of listening to jeri southern.