Maxine Daniels

Maxine Daniels (born Gladys Lynch; 2 November 1930 – 20 October 2003) was an English jazz singer who achieved notability in the post-war era.

Early life Daniels was born Gladys Lynch in Stepney, London, an elder sister of singer and entertainer, Kenny Lynch. She was descended paternally from a Caribbean seaman whose own ancestry traced back to African communities that settled around London’s Victoria Docks in the early 20th century. Her mother was English of mixed heritage from Canning Town . She was one of thirteen children.

Career Her first recognition as a singer came from winning a local talent contest, at the age of 14, in a Stepney cinema. Local recognition led to a first singing job with a semi-professional band led by a Canning Town grocer, until another talent competition organised by the Daily Sketch and sponsored by bandleader Ted Heath. Maxine Daniels died in Romford in 2003, aged 72. She was survived by her daughter and two grandsons. "A Foggy Day" / "The London I Love" (Oriole, 1957) The Magic of Maxine Daniels... Every Night About This Time (Calligraph, 1986) A Pocketful of Dreams (Calligraph, 1987) From the Heart (Calligraph, 1993) The Memory of Tonight (Calligraph, 1996)