HELEN HUMES

Helen Humes (June 23, 1913 - September 9, 1981) was an American jazz and blues singer. Helen was born in Louisville, Kentucky. She moved to New York and became a recording vocalist with Harry James big band in 1937. Her swing recordings with Harry James included "Jubilee", "I Can Dream Can't I", "That's The Dreamer In Me" and "Song Of The Wanderer". Helen Humes became one of the vocalists with Count Basie's band in the late 1930s. Her vocals with Basie's band included "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea". During the 1940s and 1950s Helen Humes became a solo performer and worked with different bands and other vocalists including Nat King Cole. In 1950 Humes recorded Benny Carter's "Rock Me to Sleep". She managed to bridge the gap between big band jazz swing and rhythm and blues. She moved to Hawaii and later to Australia. Helen Humes died read more...