Barbara Lea, jazz singer (USA, 1929–2011) | photo: Bob Parent, 1956

Barbara Lea  American actress and singer   © Bob Parent    1956

American jazz singer Barbara Lea (1929--2011) in 1956 | photo Bob Parent

FINE AND DANDY

Barbara Lea

The American jazz singer, Barbara Lea (April 10, 1929 – December 26, 2011).

Singer Barbara Lea often recalls her idol and friend Lee Wiley on this set of love songs. The backup is uniformly tasteful but changes from song to song with such impressive stylists as trumpeter Johnny Windhurst, baritonist Ernie Caceres, Garvin Bushell (on oboe and bassoon), Dick Cary (the arranger on piano and alto horn), guitarist Jimmy Raney and (on a beautiful version of "True Love") harpist Adele Girard making memorable appearances. Lea's straightforward and heartfelt delivery is heard at its best on such songs as "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," "Mountain Greenery," "More than You Know" and "Autumn Leaves" (which is partly taken in French). These interpretations are often touching.