April Ames born 21 May 1933

 April Ames (born 21 May 1933) was a big band and Vegas singer.

April was born April Stahl in Orange, California. She started singing professionally at the radio station KOY in Pheonix, Arizona whist still attending school. She was given the name Ames by Harry James when she auditioned at The Hollywood Palladium. She was twelve when she became a fan of Mr. James and later her dream to become a band singer was fulfilled. 

After singing with James in the early 1950’s  she traveled the world with the USO, sang will Billy Mays Orchestra also Ray McKinley and Big Tiny Little. Ms. Ames also appeared on Bob Crosby’s Talent Scouts Show, the George Gobel Show and Johnny Carsons "Carson Cellar" television show.

April Ames went solo in 1957 for what was apparently her only LP, "Strike a Match." The album, which was remixed for a 1959 stereo re-release, is part of the GNP Crescendo catalogue  of jazz and lounge singers of the 1950s and early '60s, particularly women. I must admit I had never heard of April Ames until I was researching for birthday nominees for this blog, which was a huge oversight, because the singer displays a girlish voice, with a pleasing tremolo, that effortlessly conveys warmth and emotional sincerity. The only snippets of information I could find about her are very scarce indeed and are included here.

                              

In the manner of the day, "Strike a Match" is a contrived theme album with, in addition to the title track, songs the likes of "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire," "Romance in the Dark," "Smoke Rings," "Two Cigarettes in the Dark," "My Old Flame," and so forth. Tracks range from upbeat to reflective, even sombre; Ames seems most at home with the latter sort, and with "small-room" arrangements.

As well as the album April recorded three singles for three different labels according to 45cat.com.

1957 You are Mine / Love Not Subject To Change (Sonic)               1957 A Smile Will Go A Long Long Way / Imagination (Zephyr)        1960 Oh My Johnny Boy / You Are My Sunshine (Unical) 

April married Al Bello who was a drummer, comedian and entertainment director for many years in Las Vegas. They had three boys including Tim Bello (aka" Sean Hollywood Hamilton) who is on radio in New York. Todd Bello, who writes movie and television scripts in Hollywood and the youngest son is a bass player.

In an interview with Review Journal Todd said “My dad and mother started in the El Cortez,” recalling backstage days at such now-departed Strip landmarks as the Dunes and Stardust. “I grew up backstage.” Bello remembers his parents “hanging out with Elvis” Presley — and Rat Packers Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., who would watch his dad’s shows after they had finished their own headliner stint.

Mapes Hotel

Later, during the 1970s, she performed on the Nevada casino circuit with her own band, April Ames and The Dames. April and her family lived in Vegas till '78, but then moved to Reno where her husband became entertainment director for Harrah's and the Mapes Hotel. 

(Edited from lastfm, album liner notes and snippets of web info including David Hogan's Amazon review).