Ethel
Llewellyn Ennis (born November 28, 1932, in Baltimore, Maryland) is an American
jazz musician and a national treasure. Critics have hailed her as “the most
accomplished singer performing today.” That stature was earned by her
magnificent voice, her brilliant compositions, her joyful performances and her
collaboration with the finest musicians.
Ethel
Ennis began performing on the piano in high school, but her natural vocal
abilities soon eclipsed those as a pianist. Embarking on a solo career, she
recorded a number of sides for Atlantic Records before the Lp debut, 1955's
Lullabies for Losers was released by Jubilee Records. In 1957, Ennis moved to
the Capitol Records label for a two-album contract, and A Change of Scenery was
released. Soon after the 1958 follow-up Lp Have You Forgotten, Ennis took a
six-year hiatus from recording during which she toured Europe with Benny
Goodman.
(Here's Ethel's first 1957Atco single of "A Pair Of Fools")
Later,
she was chosen as a featured singer on the Arthur Godfrey Show. After
performing at the 1964 Newport Jazz Festival with Billy Taylor, Cozy Cole, and
Slam Stewart, she appeared with Duke Ellington and his Orchestra on
television's “Bell Telephone Hour.”
She followed those amazing achievements by wowing them at the Monterey Jazz Festival in duets with Joe Williams. She returned to her hometown to perform in concerts with the Count Basie Band and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. During that same period, she shared the bill with Cab Calloway at Harlem's Apollo Theater and played supper clubs and concert halls all over the country.
She followed those amazing achievements by wowing them at the Monterey Jazz Festival in duets with Joe Williams. She returned to her hometown to perform in concerts with the Count Basie Band and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. During that same period, she shared the bill with Cab Calloway at Harlem's Apollo Theater and played supper clubs and concert halls all over the country.
Ennis
was again invited to the recording studios in 1963, recording four LPs for RCA
Records. However, disenchanted with the creative direction of the label and
artist management, Ennis left RCA and took another hiatus, this time eight
years without a recording contract. During this period she sang the title song
for the 1967 feature film Mad Monster Party. The BASF Lp 10 Sides of Ethel
Ennis emerged in 1973 and later that year Ennis, a Democrat, was invited to
sing at the re-inauguration of Richard Nixon. Ethel's unusual a cappella
rendition of the national anthem shocked some, but inspired many others. She
performed at the White House for Jimmy Carter as well. During the period, she
became Baltimore's cultural ambassador, singing Chinese folk songs in
Baltimore's sister city of Xiamen, China as well as performing in Rotterdam,
Germany.
In
the 1980's, Ethel opened her own music club, Ethel's Place with her husband,
writer Earl Arnett. They presented the world's greatest jazz musicians and
broadcast live concerts to national audiences. 
They sold the club in 1988, each
returning full-time to their artistic pursuits.
They sold the club in 1988, each
returning full-time to their artistic pursuits.
Earlier
on, Ethel had returned to her hometown of Baltimore, and sang outside the area
only a handful of times in the next several decades. Then in 1980 to the
delight of loyal fans she reappeared, releasing a live album, followed in 1994
by a self-titled studio album, and in 1998 once again recording for a major
label with If Women Ruled the World on Savoy Jazz. The most recent Ennis
recording was a critically praised 2005 live set, captured in performance at
Montpelier in her home state of Maryland.
Frank
Sinatra once described her as, “my kind of singer.” A Downbeat reviewer once
said of Ethel, “her voice runs deep, exuding the personality of a sage who has
lived many lives.” She is the great sage of jazz and if you can find any one of
her two dozen records and singles, you will have added a national treasure to
your collection.
Ethel
Ennis continues to be her own woman, residing in Baltimore with what she
proudly calls a “real life.” Ennis is active in her craft, performing with a
voice which remains remarkably fresh, despite the passing decades.(Info edited
from All About Jazz & Wikipedia)
(The Song Is Called I Got The Right To Sing The Blues
Featuring Benny Goodman On Clarinet. Vocalist Ethel Ennis. Billy Hodges, Taft Jordan, John Frosk, E.v. Perry On Trumpets. Vernon Brown, Willie Dennis, Rex Peer On Trombones. Zoot Sims, Al Block, Ernie Mauro, Seldon Powel, Gene Allen On Saxophones. Roland Hanna On Piano. Billy Bauer On Guitar. Arvell Shaw On Bass. Roy Burnes On Drums. Recorded In Brussels May 1958)
