Una Mae Carlisle
American jazz singer, pianist, and songwriter
About Una Mae Carlisle
Lived 1915 – 1956 (aged 40). Una Mae Carlisle was an American jazz musician, songwriter, singer, pianist and jazz singer.
Una Mae Carlisle (December 26, 1915 – November 7, 1956) was an American jazz singer, pianist, and songwriter.
Early life Carlisle was born in Zanesville, Ohio, the daughter of Mellie and Edward Carlisle. She was of African and Native American descent. Trained to play piano by her mother, she was performing in public by age three.
Career Still a child, she performed regularly on radio station WHIO (AM) in Dayton, Ohio.
In 1932, while she was still in her teens, Fats Waller discovered Carlisle while she worked as a local Cincinnati, Ohio, performer live and on radio. Her piano style was very much influenced by Waller's; she played in a boogie-woogie/stride style and incorporated humor into her sets.
She played solo from 1937, touring Europe repeatedly and recording with Waller late in the 1930s.
Partial discography Partial list of phonograph recordings: "Tain't Yours" b/w "Without You Baby" (Beacon, 1944) Albums Davis Presents Una Mae Carlisle (Davis, ca. 1940s) Compilations: 1938-1941 (Classics, 2002) 1941-1944 (Classics, 2002) 1944-1950 (Classics, 2002)
Filmography Boarding House Blues (1948)
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Una Mae Carlisle?
American jazz singer, pianist, and songwriter (1915–1956)
When was Una Mae Carlisle born?
Una Mae Carlisle was born on 26 December 1915 in Zanesville, Xenia.
When did Una Mae Carlisle die?
Una Mae Carlisle died on 7 November 1956 in Harlem, New York.
What was Una Mae Carlisle's occupation?
Una Mae Carlisle was a jazz musician, songwriter, singer, pianist and jazz singer.
What nationality was Una Mae Carlisle?
Una Mae Carlisle was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Una Mae Carlisle. https://biography.guide/una-mae-carlisle/
MLA: "Una Mae Carlisle." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/una-mae-carlisle/.
Chicago: "Una Mae Carlisle." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/una-mae-carlisle/.
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