Paula Watson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paula Watson
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Pauline Mazeppa Henry |
| Born | September 9, 1927 Mobile, Alabama, United States |
| Died | October 19, 2003 (aged 76) Malmö, Sweden |
| Genres | Rhythm and blues, jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | c.1948–1970s |
| Labels | Supreme, Decca |
Paula Watson (born Pauline Mazeppa Henry) was an American singer and pianist. She was known for her amazing jazz and rhythm and blues (R&B) music. Paula was born on September 9, 1927, and she passed away on October 19, 2003.
About Paula Watson
Early Life and First Hits
Paula Watson was born in Mobile, Alabama. Later, she moved to California. There, she started recording music for a company called Supreme Records. This company was located in Los Angeles.
Her very first song was "A Little Bird Told Me". A jazz pianist named Harvey Brooks wrote this song. It also featured a guitarist named Tiny Webb. The song became very popular. It reached number 2 on the Billboard R&B chart. This chart was for popular rhythm and blues songs. The song also reached number 6 on the pop chart.
Another singer, Evelyn Knight, recorded her own version of "A Little Bird Told Me." She used a similar musical style. Because of this, Supreme Records sued Evelyn Knight's record company, Decca Records.
More Music and Later Career
While the lawsuit was happening, Paula Watson had another hit song. It was called "You Broke Your Promise." This song reached number 13 on the R&B chart. However, Supreme Records lost their case against Decca. After that, Supreme Records went out of business.
Paula Watson was known for her lively performances. She was a "rowdy vocalist" and a strong piano player. She could play a fun style of music called boogie-woogie blues.
In the late 1940s, she started recording for Decca Records. Her style was similar to other popular singers like Nellie Lutcher. She worked with Jerry Jerome's orchestra and a vocal group called Four Hits & A Miss.
Later, in 1953, Paula moved to MGM Records. Her music there was described as "significantly hipper." She worked with talented musicians like saxophonist Sam "The Man" Taylor.
In the early 1960s, Paula Watson left the United States. She performed in London, England, through the 1960s and early 1970s. By the 1990s, she was living in Hamburg, Germany. Paula Watson passed away in Malmö, Sweden, in 2003. She was 76 years old.
