Frances Wayne

Frances Wayne (August 26, 1924 - February 6, 1978) was an American jazz vocalist.

Wayne was born and died in Boston but moved to New York City in her teens. There, she sang in a group fronted by her brother, saxophonist Nick Jerret. Early in the 1940s she recorded with Charlie Barnet's big band, and in 1943 sang with Woody Herman's band. In 1944 she married Neal Hefti, who played trumpet and arranged material for Herman. Hefti formed his own big band in 1947, and Wayne soloed in this ensemble as well. She sang with Hefti into the 1950s, and later sang with smaller ensembles, which featured Hank Jones, Milt Hinton, Jerome Richardson, Richie Kamuca, John LaPorta, Billy Bauer, and Al Cohn.

Discography

*"Frances Wayne", Coral, 1954
*"Songs for My Man" with the Neal Hefti Orchestra, Epic, 1956
*"The Warm Sound of Frances Wayne", Atlantic, 1957

References

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:kifpxq85ldte Frances Wayne] at Allmusic