Fran Warren

Frances Wolfe (March 4, 1926 – March 4, 2013), known professionally as Fran Warren, was an American singer.

Biography Born Frances Wolfe, Warren was raised in a Jewish family in The Bronx, New York on March 4, 1926. After some time in a chorus line at the Roxy Theater, she joined Art Mooney's big band and worked with Billy Eckstine, who gave her the name "Fran Warren". Warren spent almost two years with the Charlie Barnet band before achieving some recognition with Claude Thornhill.

Aaron E. Koota, the acting Brooklyn District Attorney, stated Warren was Witt's girlfriend and "believed to have full knowledge of the May's conspiracy." Warren and her brother were arraigned at the Manhattan Criminal Court and released without bail for a further hearing. On October 23, Warren returned to the grand jury and testified for 45 minutes. Warren said afterwards that her singing engagements through February 1965 had been cancelled, which would cost her between $50,000 to $75,000 as a result. In January 1965, the grand jury dismissed the narcotics charges against Warren and her brother.

Due to a morality clause in her contract with American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA), Warren's professional engagements dropped sharply for the remainder of the decade. Between 1967 to 1978, her professional income was $2,000 a year. After her arrest, Witt, now her husband, pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny and served two years in Danamora Prison. When he was released, they moved to California where Witt was hired as an office equipment supplier. They divorced in 1983. She lived in Connecticut until her death on March 4, 2013, her 87th birthday.

Filmography

Discography Mood Indigo (MGM, 1956) Hey There! Here's Fran Warren - arr. & conducted by Marty Paich (Tops, 1957) Come Rain or Come Shine - arr. & conducted by Marty Paich (Venise, 1959) Something's Coming - arr. by Ralph Burns and Al Cohn (Warwick, 1960) Come into My World - arr. by Al Cohn and Joe Cabot (Audio Fidelity, 1968) Fran Warren in Nashville - arr. by Slim Williamson (Audio Fidelity, 1969) The Complete Fran Warren with Claude Thornhill Orchestra (Collector's Choice, 2000) Let's Fall in Love (Dutton Vocalion, 2003)