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Della Reese's blend of jazz, blues and gospel textures and phrases
creates a singing style that is completely unique. Whether she is
singing romantic ballads or hard-driving blues, surrounded by jazz
quartet or a lush philharmonic orchestra, the sound is always
unmistakably Della. Born Deloreese Patricia Early in Detroit, Michigan,
Della began singing in a church when she was six years old. Throughout
her formative years, Della was involved in Gospel singing, and at the age
of 13 was hired by the late Mahalia Jackosn to sing with her group.
Later, while majoring in psychology at Waine State University in Detroit,
Della formed her own female gospel group, The Meditation Singers. Her
show business break, however, came while she was hostessing and singing
at Detroit's famed Flame Showbar. At the Flame, Della was exposed to the
talents and style of such music greats as Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah
Washington, Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, Al Hibbler, Billy Eckstine and
others. In 1953, she moved to New York City and became a vocalist with
the Erskine Hawking Orchestra, and shortly thereafter signed a recording
contract with Jubilee Records. Della had her first major hit with And
That Reminds Me (Of You) and that same year she was voted "Most
Promising Singer" by Billboard, Cashbox and Variety. |
