Dinah Kaye

Dinah Kaye-Cumming (born Catherine Sophia Cumming; 2 February 1924 – 12 September 2011) was a Scottish jazz singer. Born in Burma to Scottish parents, she spent her childhood entering singing competitions in Edinburgh and later moved to London to further her career. Kaye gained interest after performing the song "Jealous Eyes" and toured the Americas in the 1950s, before returning to London to relaunch her career. She represented the United Kingdom at the 1962 Sopot Jazz Festival, as well as touring the globe.

Biography Kaye was born Catherine Sophia Cumming in Burma to Scottish parents on 2 February 1924. She had one brother, John. Her family moved back to Scotland when Kaye was five years old and settled in Edinburgh. Her childhood was spent entering singing competitions and was regularly seen in Edinburgh's jazz clubs, Kaye moved to London in 1943 and became the resident singer for Harry Parry and his orchestra. She toured with him for several years, before leaving the band to become a freelance artist, and spent the next two years in the Netherlands. Kaye left the United Kingdom for New York City on 14 September 1953, and spent the next four years in the United States, appearing alongside singer Louis Armstrong, with whom she established a friendship. She acted as supporting singer to Tony Bennett, Lena Horne and Kay Starr and travelled extensively across the country and Canada, which saw her become established in the American show business scene. Clarinettist Acker Bilk organised a party for Kaye in July 1962 before she travelled to Poland in the same month to represent the United Kingdom at the Sopot Jazz Festival. There, she sang new lyrics to the Bilk song "Stranger on the Shore", her personal selection to go alongside a Polish song and one from the United Kingdom. She was awarded a silver medal after the gig was secured for her by her agent. Kaye toured globally in the 1950s and 1960s, receiving a positive reception where she performed. Her popularity meant Kaye was ranked second behind Cleo Laine in a 1965 Melody Maker Jazz Poll. She frequently broadcast on the BBC and in the countries she visited.

Kaye died in Edinburgh on 12 September 2011, at the age of 87.

Discography The Roaring 20's (1963)