Last updated: 3 hours ago
One of the most talented and overlooked vocalists of the '40s, Ella Mae Morse blended jazz, country, pop, and R&B; at times she came remarkably close to what would become known as rock & roll. When she wasn't yet 14, Morse had her first taste of the big time, when <a href="spotify:artist:3xPpQCRiTBxgmL4PD8J5ek">Jimmy Dorsey</a>'s band came to Dallas for a stay at the Adolphus Hotel and she called for an audition. Unbeknownst to her, the band needed a new female vocalist. Believing that Morse was indeed 19, as she and her mother claimed, <a href="spotify:artist:3xPpQCRiTBxgmL4PD8J5ek">Dorsey</a> hired her. When he received a letter from the school board declaring that he was responsible for Morse's care, <a href="spotify:artist:3xPpQCRiTBxgmL4PD8J5ek">Dorsey</a> fired her. Morse joined former <a href="spotify:artist:3xPpQCRiTBxgmL4PD8J5ek">Dorsey</a> pianist <a href="spotify:artist:2agJBUWKu6tIjput3rtl8y">Freddie Slack</a>'s band in 1942; she was only 17 when they cut "Cow Cow Boogie," which became <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Capitol+Records%22">Capitol Records</a>' first gold single. The following year, Morse began recording solo. Although her records were consistently solid and sold fairly well, Morse never obtained a huge following. She retired from recording in 1957, and died of respiratory failure on October 16, 1999. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
Monthly Listeners
72,936
Monthly Listeners History
Track the evolution of monthly listeners over the last 28 days.
Followers
10,131
Followers History
Track the evolution of followers over the last 28 days.
Top Cities
955 listeners
783 listeners
682 listeners
527 listeners
519 listeners
