Loading AI tools
American singer (1917–1992) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sylvia Syms (December 2, 1917 – May 10, 1992) was an American jazz singer.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2011) |
Sylvia Syms | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Sylvia Blagman |
Born | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | December 2, 1917
Died | May 10, 1992 74) New York City | (aged
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation | Singer |
Syms was born Sylvia Blagman in Brooklyn, New York. As a child, she had polio. As a teenager, she went to jazz nightclubs on New York's 52nd Street and received informal training from Billie Holiday. She made her debut in 1941 at Kelly's Stable.[1]
In 1948, performing at the Cinderella Club in Greenwich Village, she was seen by Mae West, who gave her a part in a show she was doing.[1] Among others who observed her in nightclubs was Frank Sinatra who considered her the "world's greatest saloon singer." Sinatra conducted her 1982 album, Syms by Sinatra.
She was signed to a contract by Decca Records, having her major success with a recording of "I Could Have Danced All Night" in 1956, which sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc.[2] Syms made regular appearances at the Carlyle in Manhattan. At times, impromptu, while enjoying a cocktail in the bar of the Carlyle, she would walk on stage and perform with the cabaret's other regular, Bobby Short.
Syms had a lung removed around 1972. The operation did not stop her from performing as Bloody Mary in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific at the Chateau de Ville Dinner Theater.
She died of a heart attack while on stage in the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City on May 10, 1992.[3] She was 74 years old.[4][5]
Year | Title | Label |
---|---|---|
1952 | Songs By [10" version] | Atlantic |
1954 | After Dark [10"] | Version Records |
1954 | Sylvia Sings [EP] | Atlantic |
1955 | Songs By [12" version] | Atlantic |
1956 | Sylvia Syms Sings | Decca |
1957 | Songs of Love | Decca |
1959 | Torch Song | Columbia |
1961 | That Man | Kapp |
1964 | Fabulous | 20th Century Fox |
1965 | Sylvia Is! | Prestige |
1967 | For Once in My Life | Prestige |
1968 | In A Sentimental Mood
(reissue of 1964 'Fabulous' LP) |
Movietone |
1970 | Love Lady | Stanyan |
1976 | Lovingly | Atlantic |
1978 | She Loves to Hear the Music | A&M |
1982 | Syms by Sinatra | Reprise |
1984 | A Jazz Portrait of Johnny Mercer | DRG |
1989 | Then Along Came Bill | DRG |
1992 | You Must Believe in Spring | Elba |
2004 | The Columbia Years | Columbia |
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.