Ethel Ennis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ethel Ennis
Ennis at the 2007 Silver Spring Jazz Fest in Silver Spring, Maryland
Background information
Birth name	Ethel Llewellyn Ennis
Born	(1932-11-28)November 28, 1932 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Died	February 17, 2019(2019-02-17) (aged 86) Baltimore, Maryland
Genres	Vocal jazz
Years active	1955–2005

Ethel Llewellyn Ennis (born November 28, 1932 – died February 17, 2019) was an American jazz singer. Her amazing music career lasted for seven decades! Ethel spent most of her life in her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. People there lovingly called her the "First Lady of Jazz."

Life and Music Career

Early Life and First Albums

Ethel Ennis was born in a row house in Baltimore, Maryland. She grew up in the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood. From a young age, she started performing as a pianist in her church.

Ethel began her solo singing career by recording songs for Atlantic Records. Her first album, Lullabies for Losers, came out in 1955 on Jubilee Records. In 1957, she signed with Capitol Records and released A Change of Scenery. After her next album, Have You Forgotten, in 1958, Ethel took a six-year break from recording. During this time, she traveled around Europe with the famous musician Benny Goodman.

Breaks and Big Performances

In 1963, Ethel recorded four albums for RCA Victor. However, she wasn't happy with how her music was being managed. So, Ethel left that record label and took another break. Eight years passed before she got another recording contract. During this time, she sang the main song for the 1967 movie Mad Monster Party?

Her album 10 Sides of Ethel Ennis was released in 1973. Later that year, Ethel was invited to sing at the second inauguration of President Richard Nixon. An inauguration is a special ceremony when a president officially starts their new term. Her unique performance of the national anthem, sung a cappella (meaning without any musical instruments), surprised some people but inspired many others. She later appeared on the TV game show To Tell the Truth. She sang the national anthem again for the audience, receiving a standing ovation.

Later Career and Legacy

Ethel Ennis had returned to her hometown of Baltimore. She only sang outside the area a few times in the following decades. However, in 1980, she released a live album, which made her loyal fans very happy. Ethel gained national attention again in 1994 with a new album. It was produced by her long-time drummer, Paul Hildner, and reached the Jazz Top 40 radio chart.

In 1998, Ethel recorded for a major label again with If Women Ruled the World on Savoy Jazz. Her most recent recording was a highly praised live performance from 2005. It was recorded at Montpelier in her home state of Maryland.

Ethel Ennis passed away from a stroke on February 17, 2019, at the age of 86.

Ethel also used her voice for children's television! She was the speaking and singing voice for the character Ethel Earphone. This was on the Maryland Public Television show Book, Look and Listen in the mid-1970s.

Her Music Albums

Albums

• Lullabies for Losers (Jubilee, 1955)
• Change of Scenery (Capitol, 1957)
• Have You Forgotten? (Capitol, 1958)
• Once Again (RCA Victor, 1964)
• This Is Ethel Ennis (RCA Victor, 1964)
• Eyes for You (RCA Victor, 1964)
• My Kind of Waltztime (RCA Victor, 1965)
• 10 Sides of Ethel Ennis (BASF, 1973)
• Ethel: Live at the Maryland Inn (EnE, 1980)
• Ethel Ennis (Hildner, 1994)
• If Women Ruled the World (Savoy, 1998)
• Ennis Anyone? (Jazzmont, 2005)

Singles

• "A Pair of Fools" (Atco)
• "Got It in My Blood (To Love You)" – Atco
• "Off Shore" (Jubilee)
• "Boy from Ipanema/When Will the Hurt Be Over?" (RCA)
• "Now I Have Everything/Matchmaker Matchmaker" (RCA)
• "About Love/I've Got That Feeling" (RCA)
• "We Could Learn Together/Look at Me" (RCA)
• "I Believe in Love/I Wonder Who My Daddy Is" (BASF)
• "Call Me Young/Who Is It This Time?" (Spiral)
• "Sing Me a Tune/I Wonder Who My Daddy Is" (Spiral)

This list comes from AllMusic and Discogs.