Teddy Grace

Teddy Grace (June 26, 1905, Arcadia, Louisiana - January 4, 1992, La Mirada, California) was an American jazz vocalist.

Grace first sang professionally in 1931. She sang on radio in the American South and worked with the bands of Al Katz (1933), Tommy Christian (1934), and Mal Hallett (1934-37). From 1937 to 1940 she recorded for Decca Records, and her sidemen on these recordings include Bobby Hackett, Jack Teagarden, Charlie Shavers, Buster Bailey, Pee Wee Russell, and Bud Freeman.

She left music in 1940 and joined the Women's Army Corps a short time later, where she sang at war bond rallies and other political events. She lost her voice as a result of these activities and was unable to speak for years. She was never again able to sing, and remained outside of music for the remainder of her life.

22 of the 30 sides Grace recorded for Decca were reissued to CD by Timeless Records in 1996.

References

*Scott Yanow, [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3vfqxqrgldse~T1 Teddy Grace] at Allmusic