Carmen McRae

Born of Jamaican immigrants, Carmen Mercedes McRae started her musical journey at age 8 when she started taking piano lessons. Her parents had high hopes for a brilliant concert pianist to emerge from those Harlem streets, but Carmen had other plans. Admitting in an interview years later that she would hide sheet music popular in the late 20’s mixed in with Mozart and Chopin for those special occasions when her parents were out of earshot.

Her unmatched vocal talent, determination and hopes of aspiring to the level of her idol, Billie Holiday, (not to mention winning an amateur talent contest at the historic Apollo Theater at age 17) earned her recognition from DownBeat magazine as 1954’s best new artist.

Carmen’s talent could not be contained to music alone. She had a very prominent career in television, radio and even motion pictures. From 1955-1986 not only could she be heard everywhere, but she could also be seen everywhere. Most notably as Lila in Roots: The Next Generation and as Jo Jo’s Grandmother in Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling (Billy Eckstine also played a role in the film). 

Carmen continued to share her love for the arts until the early 1990’s when she reluctantly stepped down from performing to tend to her failing health, eventually passing in 1994. Join us at Hindsight Records in celebrating her life through her voice during this month of reflection and celebration.

Enjoy the Listen!

*Special thanks to The Definitive Carmen McRae Website www.carmenmcrae.com