Saturday, October 19, 2013

Sic transit Gloria


Singer Gloria Lynne was discovered in 1958 by Raymond Scott, who signed her to her first recording contract that same year. Scott produced her debut album, Miss Gloria Lynne, for Everest Records, a label for which he briefly served as A&R director. The musicians on Lynne's album were many of the same session aces from Scott's Secret 7 project.

Lynne died of heart failure at age 83 on October 8. An obit in the October 18 New York Times describes the rough times she faced when her career went into decline. She had one major hit, "I Wish You Love," in 1964, and it became her signature tune. (Scott produced only her debut album.)

In the Miss Gloria Lynne liner notes by jazz scholar Nat Hentoff, Scott was quoted on the magnitude of her talent and strengths:
"Overall, she has a sincerity and power. She's been based in gospel music and she also has a jazz talent, and this is the first chance she's had to sing with a swinging group. As for her vocal resources, she's at a stage at her beginning that most people don't reach until the middle or end of their careers. She's extremely warm and she can tell a story. She's young and fresh and should have a remarkable future." 
For Lynne's debut, Scott recruited Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet), Sam "The Man" Taylor (piano), Eddie Costa (vibes), "Wild Bill" Davis (organ), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Milton Hinton (bass), George Duvivier (bass), Tom Bryant (bass), and Jo Jones (drums). All except the last three were part of Scott's Secret 7.

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