Irene Kral
Encyclopedia
Irene Kral was a jazz
singer who was born in Chicago, Illinois and died due to breast cancer
in Encino, California.
, was a successful musician when Irene started singing professionally as a teenager. She sang with bands on tours led by Woody Herman
and Chubby Jackson
, former Herman bass player.
Irene joined Maynard Ferguson
's band in the late 1950s and sang with groups led by Stan Kenton
and Shelly Manne
.
Irene then started a solo career until her death at 46 years of age.
She was a ballad singer who stated that Carmen McRae
was one of her inspirations.
Irene was made more famous posthumously when Clint Eastwood
used her recordings in his 1995 movie, The Bridges of Madison County
.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
singer who was born in Chicago, Illinois and died due to breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
in Encino, California.
Biography
Irene's older brother, Roy KralRoy Kral
Roy Kral was an American jazz pianist and vocalist best known for his partnership with his wife Jackie Cain as the team Jackie and Roy. He was the brother of the singer Irene Kral....
, was a successful musician when Irene started singing professionally as a teenager. She sang with bands on tours led by Woody Herman
Woody Herman
Woodrow Charles Herman , known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders...
and Chubby Jackson
Chubby Jackson
Greig Stewart 'Chubby' Jackson was an American jazz double-bassist and band leader.Born in New York City, Jackson began at the age of seventeen as a clarinetist, but quickly changed to bass....
, former Herman bass player.
Irene joined Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson was a Canadian jazz musician and bandleader. He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957...
's band in the late 1950s and sang with groups led by Stan Kenton
Stan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
and Shelly Manne
Shelly Manne
Shelly Manne , born Sheldon Manne in New York City, was an American jazz drummer. Most frequently associated with West Coast jazz, he was known for his versatility and also played in a number of other styles, including Dixieland, swing, bebop, avant-garde jazz and fusion, as well as contributing...
.
Irene then started a solo career until her death at 46 years of age.
She was a ballad singer who stated that Carmen McRae
Carmen McRae
Carmen Mercedes McRae was an American jazz singer, composer, pianist, and actress. Considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century, it was her behind-the-beat phrasing and her ironic interpretations of song lyrics that made her memorable...
was one of her inspirations.
Irene was made more famous posthumously when Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood
Clinton "Clint" Eastwood, Jr. is an American film actor, director, producer, composer and politician. Eastwood first came to prominence as a supporting cast member in the TV series Rawhide...
used her recordings in his 1995 movie, The Bridges of Madison County
The Bridges of Madison County (film)
The Bridges of Madison County is a 1995 American romantic drama film based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Robert James Waller. It was produced by Amblin Entertainment and Malpaso Productions, and distributed by Warner Bros. Entertainment...
.
Discography
- Boy with Lots of Brass - EmArcy (1957)
- The Band and I - (1958)
- Detour Ahead - United Artists (1958)
- Steveireneo - United Artists (1959)
- Better Than Anything - DRG (1963)
- Guitar from Ipanema - Capitol (1964)
- Wonderful Life - Mainstream (1965)
- Where Is Love? - (1974)
- Live in Tokyo - (1976)
- Kral Space - (1977)
- Gentle Rain - Choice (1977)
- The Buddy Collette Quintet with Irene Kral - Studiowest/VSOP (1997)
- Live Culture Press - (1998)
- Where Is Love? - Choice/Koch (1999)
- You Are There? - Audiophile (1999)
- Just For Now - Jazzed Media (2004)
- Second Chance - Jazzed Media (2010)