Joya Sherrill
Encyclopedia
Joya Sherrill was an American jazz
vocalist and children's television show host.
Sherrill began her career with Duke Ellington
in 1942, aged 17, later becoming a member of his orchestra from 1944 to 1946. She had a hit with Ellington's tune "I'm Beginning to See the Light". Subsequently, she worked as a soloist, performing with Rex Stewart
, Ray Nance
, and others into the 1960s. She returned to Ellington for 1959's A Drum Is a Woman
. She toured the U.S. in 1959 and then took a role in the Broadway
show The Long Dream. She toured with Benny Goodman
in the USSR in 1962 and then returned to sing with Ellington in 1963.
From 1970 to 1982 she had a children's television show, Time for Joya, later called Joya's Fun School
. Later in the 1980s she hosted a children's show in the Middle East
.
She died of complications from leukemia in 2010, aged 85. She was survived by a son, a daughter, a sister and two grandchildren.
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...
vocalist and children's television show host.
Sherrill began her career with Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
in 1942, aged 17, later becoming a member of his orchestra from 1944 to 1946. She had a hit with Ellington's tune "I'm Beginning to See the Light". Subsequently, she worked as a soloist, performing with Rex Stewart
Rex Stewart
Rex Stewart was an American jazz cornetist best known for his work with the Duke Ellington orchestra....
, Ray Nance
Ray Nance
Ray Willis Nance was a jazz trumpeter, violinist and singer.Nance is best known for his long association with Duke Ellington through most of the 1940s and 1950s, after he was hired to replace Cootie Williams in 1940...
, and others into the 1960s. She returned to Ellington for 1959's A Drum Is a Woman
A Drum Is a Woman
A Drum Is a Woman is a musical allegory by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington, with many songs also written by Billy Strayhorn. It tells the story of Madam Zajj, the personification of African rhythm, and Carribee Joe, who has his roots firmly in the Jungle with his drums...
. She toured the U.S. in 1959 and then took a role in the Broadway
Broadway (New York City)
Broadway is a prominent avenue in New York City, United States, which runs through the full length of the borough of Manhattan and continues northward through the Bronx borough before terminating in Westchester County, New York. It is the oldest north–south main thoroughfare in the city, dating to...
show The Long Dream. She toured with Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
in the USSR in 1962 and then returned to sing with Ellington in 1963.
From 1970 to 1982 she had a children's television show, Time for Joya, later called Joya's Fun School
Joya's Fun School
Joya's Fun School was a children's series that was produced and broadcast by WPIX-TV in New York City from March 1970 to December 1982. The cast included the host Joya , The Professor , Mr. BB and a bookworm puppet named Seymour...
. Later in the 1980s she hosted a children's show in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
.
She died of complications from leukemia in 2010, aged 85. She was survived by a son, a daughter, a sister and two grandchildren.
Discography
- As a leader:
- Sugar and Spice (1962)
- Joya Sherrill Sings Duke (VerveVerve RecordsVerve Records is an American jazz record label now owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded by Norman Granz in 1956, absorbing the catalogues of his earlier labels, Clef Records and Norgran Records , and material which had been licensed to Mercury previously.-Jazz and folk origins:The Verve...
, 1965) with Ray NanceRay NanceRay Willis Nance was a jazz trumpeter, violinist and singer.Nance is best known for his long association with Duke Ellington through most of the 1940s and 1950s, after he was hired to replace Cootie Williams in 1940...
, Cootie WilliamsCootie WilliamsCharles Melvin "Cootie" Williams was an American jazz, jump blues, and rhythm and blues trumpeter.-Biography:...
, Johnny HodgesJohnny HodgesJohn Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges was an American alto saxophonist, best known for his solo work with Duke Ellington's big band. He played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years, except the period between 1932–1946 when Otto Hardwick generally played first chair...
, Paul GonsalvesPaul GonsalvesPaul Gonsalves, was an American jazz tenor saxophonist best known for his association with Duke Ellington. At the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival, Gonsalves played a 27-chorus solo in the middle of Ellington's "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue"...
, Ernie Harper, Billy StrayhornBilly StrayhornWilliam Thomas "Billy" Strayhorn was an American composer, pianist and arranger, best known for his successful collaboration with bandleader and composer Duke Ellington lasting nearly three decades. His compositions include "Chelsea Bridge", "Take the "A" Train" and "Lush Life".-Early...
, Joe BenjaminJoe BenjaminJoseph Rupert "Joe" Benjamin was an American jazz bassist.Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Benjamin played with numerous high-profile jazz musicians in a variety of idioms...
, John LambJohn LambJohn Lamb may refer to:*John Lamb , United States Congressman from Virginia*John Lamb , American football coach for Emporia State University*John Lamb , U.S... - Black Beauty, the Duke in Mind (1994)
- As sideperson with Duke Ellington:
- Black, Brown and Beige (Columbia Records, 1943)
- The Carnegie Hall Concerts (January 1946) (Fantasy Records)
- Greatest Hits (RCA Records, 1996)
Source
- [ Joya Sherrill] at Allmusic