Jeanne Arland Peterson

Jeanne Arland Peterson ( – June 23, 2013) was an American singer and pianist who was considered by some the "first lady of jazz" in Minneapolis–Saint Paul.

Career Peterson's early professional experience came as a singer on radio station WCCO, where she performed for 20 years, and on television stations WCCO and KSTP, all in Minneapolis-St. Paul. In the early 1940s, she was the featured female vocalist with Sev Olsen's orchestra.

Although pianist Marian McPartland and others encouraged Peterson to move to New York City to advance her career, she chose to stay in the Twin Cities and raise her children, even turning down a job offer from the leader of a big band.

Personal life Peterson was married to Willie Peterson, who was a bandleader, booking agent, and pianist. They had six children, He died in 1969.

Recognition In 1992, Peterson was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. That was followed by her 2005 induction into the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame.