Helen Merrill | Artist
Jelena Ana Milcetic aka Helen Merrill is an American jazz vocalist born 1930 in New York City. Known for her distinctive voice, emotional depth, and unique phrasing, with a career spanning over six decades, Merrill has established herself as a legendary figure in the world of jazz music. In her early years Merrill discovered a passion for singing and immersed herself in the vibrant jazz scene of New York City. She began singing in jazz clubs in the Bronx in 1944 when she was fourteen and by the time she was sixteen, she had taken up music full-time. Influenced by greats like Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Anita O'Day, Merrill honed her craft and developed a style that was uniquely her own. Her velvety voice, impeccable timing, and ability to convey deep emotion quickly set her apart as a rising star in the jazz world. In the 1950s, she rose to prominence with the release of her self-titled debut album which featured collaborations with trumpeter Clifford Brown and bassist Oscar Pettiford. The album was produced and arranged by Quincy Jones, who was twenty-one years old. The success of Helen Merrill prompted Mercury to sign her to an additional four-album contract. The album garnered critical acclaim, establishing her as a force to be reckoned with in the jazz community. Merrill's follow-up was the 1956 LP Dream of You, which was arranged and conducted by Gil Evans. His arrangements for Merrill laid the foundation for his work with Miles Davis. Merrill has gone on to record over 25 albums, including collaborations with the likes of Stan Getz, Ron Carter, Gill Evans, Stéphane Grappelli, Gordon Beck and Dick Katz. Her discography includes standout albums such as Helen Merrill (1955), The Feeling is Mutual (1967), A Shade of Difference (1969), Duets (1989), and Brownie: Homage to Clifford Brown (1994). After recording sporadically through the late 1950s and 1960s, Merrill spent much of her time touring Europe, where she enjoyed more commercial success than she had in the United States. She settled for a time in Italy, recording an album there and doing concerts with jazz musicians Piero Umiliani, Chet Baker, Romano Mussolini, and Stan Getz. In 1960, arranger and film composer Ennio Morricone worked with Merrill on an EP, Helen Merrill Sings Italian Songs, on the RCA Italiana label. Known for her emotional, sensual vocal performances, Merrill continues to perform today, her career now in its sixth decade of concerts and recordings.
Artist Website: helenmerrill.com
Featured Albums: Helen Merrill
Related Artists: Gil Evans, Clifford Brown, Stan Getz
