Ruth Olay Soul In The Night – 1966- Jazz, Funk / Soul, Vocal Pop (rare vinyl)

Ruth Olay Soul In The Night – 1966- Jazz, Funk / Soul, Vocal Pop (rare vinyl)

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initially a piano prodigy, her interest in music developed from exposure to her mother’s professional chorus singing work. At age 16 or 17, working as secretary atTwentieth Century Fox, Olay undertook singing lessons with vocal coach Florence Russell (Dorothy Dandridge). While at work, she met one ofDuke Ellington’s vocalists, Ivie Anderson. Together they attended the venue where Ellington was playing and Olay was persuaded to sing. In 1942, at her mother’s re-marriage party she sang and impressed a guest, the wife of songwriterIrving Gordon(Throw Mama From the Train,Unforgettable). Gordon in turn introduced Olay to jazz musicianBenny Carterwho became her musical mentor.[2]

She performed under the moniker Rachel Davis and, due to her dark complexion, passing as a black woman, with Carter inSan Diego, and later withJerry Fieldingin Los Angeles and Beverly Hills clubs, all the while holding down a secretarial day job atTwentieth Century Limited, including work for celebrated screenwriterPreston Sturges. At the Cabaret Concert Theatre where she both waitressed and sang, she came to the attention of Bill Hitchcock of Zephyr Records. Olay’s first LP on Zephyr in 1956 was promoted as coming from “the blues shouting tradition”, “pop style” and “swinging interpretation”.[3]

While gigging at the Little Club, Olay was approached by Bill Burton, who managed, among others,Jimmy DorseyandDick Haymes, and soon got her big break when Burton booked her an emergency gig at the Avant Garde Club in replacement ofBillie Holiday, who had fallen ill. This developed into a headline run, along withShelley Berman, Matt Dennis Trio andLenny Bruce. A regular at the club was arranger Peter Ruggolo, who A&R’ed forMercury Records.

Her first LP on MercuryOLAY!in 1958 was followed by a guest vocalist spot onJack Paar’sTonight Show.[4]She became the “Singing Sensation of the Jack Paar Show” during Paar’s stint, and also appeared later onJohnny Carson’s watch, the latter time backed byDuke Ellington. Subsequent appearances includedJerry Fielding’s TV show, and withMerv Griffin,Jackie GleasonandSteve Allen. In 1961, Olay found time to play the role ofJuliein Lewis & Youngs’ production ofShowboat.

For the second LPEasy Livingon Mercury in 1959, Olay was set up withJerry Fieldingwhose credits included arranging with big bands such as those ofKay Kyser,Claude Thornhill,Jimmie Lunceford,Tommy Dorsey,Charlie Barnet, andLes Brown. LP’s followed on diverse labels after Olay’s departure from Mercury and she continued nightclub appearances and TV shows well into the 1960s (e.g.:Sue Raineyon KTLA June 11, 1965).[5]After spending some time performing in Europe where the popularity of American jazz persisted[6]Olay returned to the USA and gradually phased into retirement and withdrew from singing altogether.

Sleeve Condition (Out of 10) ~8 some slight edge and corner wear
Label Condition (Out of 10) ~ 10
Vinyl Condition ~ (Out of 10)
side # 1 – 10 / side # 2-10
BIN *166

Label:ABC Records ABC-573Format:Vinyl, LP, Album, MonoCountry:CanadaReleased:1966Genre:Jazz,Funk / Soul,PopStyle:Vocal

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