Ernestine Anderson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ernestine Anderson
Ernestine Anderson in 2008
Background information
Birth name	Ernestine Irene Anderson
Born	(1928-11-11)November 11, 1928 Houston, Texas, U.S.
Died	March 10, 2016(2016-03-10) (aged 87) Shoreline, Washington, U.S.
Genres	Jazz, blues
Occupation(s)	Singer
Labels	Mercury Concord Jazz

Ernestine Anderson (born November 11, 1928 – died March 10, 2016) was an amazing American jazz and blues singer. She sang for over 60 years and recorded more than 30 albums! She was nominated four times for a Grammy Award, which is a very important music prize. Ernestine performed in famous places like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. She also sang at the Monterey Jazz Festival six times. In the 1990s, she joined Qwest Records, a music company started by her friend and fellow musician, Quincy Jones.

Life as a Jazz Singer

Ernestine Irene Anderson was born in Houston, Texas, on November 11, 1928, along with her twin sister, Josephine. Her mom, Erma, stayed home, and her dad, Joseph, worked in construction. He also sang bass in a gospel group.

Even when she was just three years old, Ernestine loved to sing along to old blues records. Her parents often played music by famous blues singers like Bessie Smith. Ernestine started singing solos in her church's gospel choir.

Early Music Days

Ernestine grew up listening to lots of blues and gospel music on the radio. Her dad and grandparents were also singers. Big bands like Count Basie's would visit Houston, which inspired her.

When she was twelve, Ernestine's godmother signed her up for a local talent show. She only knew two songs! The piano player asked what key she sang them in, and she just said "C." It was the wrong key, but Ernestine was clever. She sang around the tune, making up parts as she went. After her performance, one of the musicians told her, "You're a jazz singer!"

Moving to Seattle

In 1944, when Ernestine was 16, her family moved to Seattle, Washington. She went to Garfield High School and finished in 1946. While she was still a teenager, a bandleader named "Bumps" Blackwell discovered her. He hired her to sing in his Junior Band.

Ernestine's first show was at the Washington Social Club. Her band later included famous musicians like Quincy Jones on trumpet and a young Ray Charles on keyboard. They often played in jazz clubs on Seattle's Jackson Street.

Becoming Famous

When she was 18, Ernestine left Seattle to tour with the Johnny Otis band. In 1952, she toured with Lionel Hampton's orchestra. After a year, she moved to New York City to become a full-time singer.

Her first album in the United States was called Hot Cargo (1958). It was actually recorded in Sweden first! A famous jazz critic, Ralph J. Gleason, played her music on his radio show. He said she was "the best new jazz singer in a decade" and that she had a "great warmth in her voice." This made her very popular. In 1959, Ernestine won the DownBeat "New Star" Award.

Jazz and Rock 'n' Roll

In the 1960s, rock 'n' roll music became very popular. This made it harder for jazz musicians to find work in the United States. Ernestine even moved to London for a while so she could keep performing. She believed that jazz music never truly died, even though it faced challenges.

Return to the Spotlight

In the mid-1970s, Ernestine made a big comeback. She gave an amazing performance at the 1976 Concord Jazz Festival. After that, she recorded many albums for Concord Records. For the next 17 years, Ernestine became known as a top jazz and blues singer.

Two of her albums, Never Make Your Move Too Soon (1981) and Big City (1983), were nominated for Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. Ernestine toured all over the world, from Japan to Brazil and Berlin. In 1988, she performed at Carnegie Hall for the first time. She also sang at the Hollywood Bowl and the Women In Jazz event at the Kennedy Center.

Later Career and Legacy

After leaving Concord Records in 1993, Ernestine signed with Quincy Jones's new music company, Qwest. She released two more Grammy-nominated albums with them: Now and Then (1993) and Blues, Dues & Love News (1996). Later, she released other successful albums like Love Makes the Changes (2003).

Ernestine Anderson followed Nichiren Buddhism. She passed away peacefully on March 10, 2016, at the age of 87, surrounded by her family in Shoreline, Washington.

Awards and Honors

Ernestine Anderson received many awards and honors throughout her career.

• In 1958, Time magazine wrote an article about her. They called her "the best-kept jazz secret in the land" after her first album came out. People often compared her to other famous singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. But Ernestine always said, "I wish they would let me be just me."
• She was one of 75 women chosen for the book I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America (1999). This book featured important women like Rosa Parks and Oprah Winfrey.
• In 2002, she won the Golden Umbrella award at the Bumbershoot Seattle arts festival. This award honors artists from the Northwestern United States who have greatly helped the region's culture.
• The Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Recording Academy (the group that gives out the Grammy Awards) gave her their 2004 IMPACT Award. This award celebrates music professionals whose talents have made a big difference in the music world.
• In 2012, a housing project in Seattle was named "Ernestine Anderson Place" in her honor. This was because she lived in Seattle's Central District for a long time.

Grammy Nominations

Ernestine Anderson was nominated for a Grammy Award four times!

Images for kids

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  Ernestine Anderson in 2008

See also

In Spanish: Ernestine Anderson para niños