Audrey Morris

Audrey Morris (November 12, 1928 – April 1, 2018) was an American singer and pianist who specialized in jazz ballads.

Not to be confused with Aubrey Morris.
Audrey Morris
Background information
Born(1928-11-12)November 12, 1928
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedApril 1, 2018(2018-04-01) (aged 89)
Chicago
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Singer
InstrumentsPiano
Websiteaudreymorris.com

Biography

Morris was born on Nov. 12, 1928 in Chicago. Morris grew up on the South Side of Chicago and had classical piano lessons in her childhood.[1] Through the radio broadcasts of Your Hit Parade, she developed an interest in songs. In her school days she wrote lyrics. Her idols included Billie Holiday, Lee Wiley, Mildred Bailey, and Peggy Lee.[2]

In 1950, she began performing in the Capitol Lounge and four years later began singing at Mister Kelly's. In 1955 she sang with Charlie Spivak and in 1956 with Claude Thornhill in the NBC television show Moonlight in Vermont. She recorded her first album in 1955 for the RCA sub-label "X" (Bistro Ballads, with Johnny Pate); the following year for Bethlehem Records (The Voice of Audrey Morris with arrangements by Marty Paich).

She was offered the opportunity to record an album of film theme music for Warner Brothers. In the following years, she continued to perform locally. She was the leader of a trio at London House, a jazz piano club. In the late 1960s, she limited her performances to her family. In 1981 she had another engagement at Palmer House.[3]

In 1985, she released the album Afterthoughts (with Stu Genovese). In the field of jazz, she was involved between 1955 and 2001 in twelve recording sessions.[4]

Death

Morris died at the age of 89 on April 1, 2018 at the Presence Resurrection Medical Center in Norwood Park, Chicago.[1]

Discography
  • Bistro Ballads Sung by Audrey Morris ("X", 1955)
  • The Voice of Audrey Morris (Bethlehem, 1956)
  • Afterthoughts (Fancy Faire, 1985)
  • Film Noir (Fancy Faire, 1989)

References
  1. Reich, Howard (April 1, 2018). "Singer-pianist Audrey Morris dies at 89, was an icon of Chicago cabaret and jazz". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  2. "Chicago Cabaret and Jazz Legend Audrey Morris Dies at 89". NiteLife Exchange. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  3. Bebco, Joe. "Audrey Morris, 89 – The Syncopated Times". The Syncopated Times. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  4. Lord, Tom. "Musician List". The Jazz Discography. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
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