Kitty Kallen
Source: Discogs
Born Katherine Kalinsky on 25 May 1921 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kitty Kallen had her own radio show in Philadelphia before she was a teenager (WCAU). She sang with the Jan Savitt Orchestra at age fourteen, then the Artie Shaw Orchestra at age sixteen. Tom Lord's sessionography finds her at age 17 with the Jack Teagarden Orchestra as early as 22 and 23 August 1939 for radio broadcasts from Frank Dailey's Meadowbrook nightclub in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. Transcriptions of 'The Lamp Is Low', 'Stairway to the Stars' and 'Blue Evening' eventually saw issue on CD per Vernon Music VMCD-13199 in 1999. There was also a session next door in New York City on 23 August toward 'I'm Takin' My Time with You' / 'I Wanna Hat with Cherries' (Columbia 35224) and 'Two Blind Loves' / 'Hawaii Sang Me to Sleep' (Columbia 35233).
'I'm Taking My Time With You' Kitty Kallen backed by Jack Teagarden
23 Aug 1939 in NYC Matrix WCO26013-A Columbia 35224
Music: Jule Styne Lyrics: Sammy Cahn
In 1943 Kitty filled Helen O'Connell's vacancy in the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra when Helen resigned to attend to a new marriage. Kallen began 1947 on Broadway in 'Finian's Rainbow' until replaced by Sharon McLonergan [IMDB]. IMDb discovers her in film for the first time in 1949 performing 'Kiss Me Sweet' in the RKO short, 'Piano Rhythm'.
'Besame Mucho' ('Kiss Me Much') Kitty Kallen w Bob Eberly backed by Jimmy Dorsey
7 Oct 1943 in Hollywood Matrix L3214-A Decca 18574
Trumpet: Bob Alexy / Phil Napoleon / Shorty Solomson / Ray Linn / Marky Markowitz
Trombone: Billy Pritchard / Sonny Lee / Andy Russo / Nick DiMaio
Alto sax: Dorsey (clarinet) / Bill Covey / Frank Langone
Tenor sax: Babe Russin / Charlie Frazier (flute)
Baritone sax: Bob Lawson Piano: Dave Mann Guitar: Tommy Kay
Bass: Bill Miller Drums: Buddy Schutz
Composition:
Consuelo Velaquez / Sunny Skylar
'Kiss Me Sweet' Kitty Kallen backed by Jan August (piano) in NYC
From the screenliner film 'Piano Rhythm' released by RKO Radio Pictures 9 Sep 1949
Composition: Milton Drake
As indicated, upon several years of big band swing Kallen began expanding her repertoire toward popular music in the latter forties upon venturing a solo career. Duets with Richard Hayes sold high in 1950 and 1951: 'Our Lady of Fatima' (Mercury 5466) and 'The Aba Daba Honeymoon' (Mercury 5586).
'Our Lady of Fatima' Kitty Kallen w Richard Hayes backed by the Jimmy Carroll Orchestra
1950 Mercury 5466
Composition: Gladys Gollahon
'Aba Daba Honeymoon' Kitty Kallen w Richard Hayes
1951 Mercury 5586
Composition: Arthur Fields / Water Donovan From the 1950 MGM film 'Two Weeks With Love'
TsorT has Kallen's best-selling titles released in 1954. 'Little Things Mean a Lot' (Decca 29037) reached #1 on Billboard in April. 'In the Chapel in the Moonlight' (Decca 29130) settled at #4 in July. Discogs and RYM have Kallen issuing the album, 'Kitty Kallen & The Satin Strings', in 1954.
'Make Love to Me' Kitty Kallen w the Skylarks Television
5 Jan 1954 'Judge for Yourself' hosted by Fred Allen for NBC
Music: from 'Tin Roof Blues' by NORK 1923
Lyrics: Bill Norvas / Alan Copeland
'Bell Bottom Blues' Kitty Kallen w the Skylarks Television
26 Jan 1954 'Judge for Yourself' hosted by Fred Allen for NBC
Music: Leon Carr Lyrics: Hal David
'Little Things Mean a Lot' Kitty Kallen backed by Jack Pleis
1954 Decca 9-29037 Billboard #1 April 1954
Composition: Carl Stutz / Edith Lindeman
'In the Chapel In the Moonlight Kitty Kallen backed by Jack Pleis
1954 Decca 29130 Billboard #4 July 1954
Composition: Billy Hill
'In the Chapel In the Moonlight' Kitty Kallen Television
7 Nov 1954 'Ed Sullivan Show' for CBS
Composition: Billy Hill
Kallen's career during the fifties also witnessed duets w Georgie Shaw. Several followed to the 1964 release of the bossa nova album, 'Quiet Nights', with the Manny Albam Orchestra. Jim Hall (guitar), Richard Davis (bass) and Mel Lewis (drums) assisted on that.
'Little Things Mean a Lot' Kitty Kallen Television
1955 'Perry Como Show' for NBC
Composition: Carl Stutz / Edith Lindeman
'Go On With the Wedding' Kitty Kallen w Georgie Shaw backed by Jack Pleis
23 Nov 1955 Matrix 88941 Decca 29776
Composition: Arthur Korb / Charlie Purvis / Milt Yakus
'Got a Date With an Angel' Kitty Kallen backed by the Milton Delugg Orchestra
1960 From the album 'If I Give My Heart To You' Columbia CS 8204
Music: Joseph A. Tunbridge / Jack Waller Lyrics: Clifford Grey / Sonny Miller
'My Coloring Book' Kitty Kallen backed by the Ray Ellis Orchestra
1962 RCA Victor 47-8124 #7 Billboard March 1963
Composition: John Kander / Fred Ebb
'Quiet Nights' Kitty Kallen backed by the Manny Albam Ochestra Album
May 1964 NYC (?) 20th Century Fox TFM 3151
Guitar: Jim Hall Bass: Richard Davis Drums: Mel Lewis
Arrangements: Albam
Kallen had two homes, one in Englewood, New Jersey, another in Cuernavaca, Mexico, about an hour's drive south of Mexico City. It was in Cuernavaca that she died on 7 January 2016 [obit].
Sources & References for Kitty Kallen:
John Bush (All Music) VF History (notes) Wikipedia
Associates Musical:
The Skylarks (vocal group formed 1942):
Audio of Kallen: Internet Archive
Billboard Popularity Charts: Music VF TsorT
Kallen on Broadway: IBDB
Kallen in Film / Television: IMDb
Iconography: Wikimedia Commons
Recordings: Catalogs: 45 Worlds Discogs Music Brainz RYM SHS Wikipedia
Recordings: Compilations:
The Kitty Kallen Story (Sony Music A2K 48978 / AK 52423 / 2 CDs / 1992)
Recordings: Sessionographies: DAHR (1943-57) Tom Lord: 100 sessions 1939-64)
Further Reading: Archives:
Pittsburgh Press (Kitty Kallen Solo Star Now / Jack Gaver / 6 Nov 1949)
Other Profiles: BandChirps Find a Grave From the Vaults
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