Toni Harper facts for kids
Toni Harper (born June 8, 1937, in Los Angeles, California), also known as Toni Dunlap, was an amazing American child singer. She started performing when she was very young and retired from singing at age 29.
Early Life and First Shows
Toni Harper loved to dance! She learned her moves from a famous dance teacher named Maceo Anderson. In 1945, a choreographer named Nick Castle chose her for a show called Christmas Follies. This show took place at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre. Later, Toni performed on stage with well-known musicians like Herb Jeffries and Cab Calloway.
Big Concerts and Hit Songs
Toni Harper was a star at the Cavalcade of Jazz concerts. She performed at the third annual concert on September 7, 1947. This huge event was held at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. Many other famous artists were there, including Sarah Vaughan and T-Bone Walker. Toni came back to perform again at the eighth Cavalcade of Jazz concert on June 1, 1952. That day, stars like Louis Jordan and Josephine Baker also performed.
In 1946, Toni recorded a song called "Candy Store Blues." It was a massive hit! The song sold so many copies that it became a platinum record. She also appeared on a popular TV show called Toast of the Town (which later became The Ed Sullivan Show). She was on the show twice in 1949 and one last time in 1950.
Albums and Later Career
After her success as a child singer, Toni Harper continued to make music. In 1955, she recorded her first album, called Toni. She worked with the famous Oscar Peterson trio for this album. Later, she released two more albums: Lady Lonely in 1959 and Night Mood in 1960. These albums were arranged by Marty Paich and released by RCA Victor.
Toni also traveled and performed internationally. In 1963, she toured Japan with the jazz musician Cannonball Adderley. She even appeared in a movie called How to Stuff a Wild Bikini in 1965. Toni Harper decided to retire from performing in 1966.
Discography
Here are some of the albums and songs Toni Harper recorded:
- 1956 Toni (with the Oscar Peterson trio)
- 1957 Here Come The Girls! (with The Buddy Bregman Orchestra)
- 1959 Lady Lonely (with Marty Paich & Orchestra)
- 1960 Night Mood (with Marty Paich & Orchestra)
- 1988 Candy Store Blues (a collection of her songs)
With Dizzy Gillespie
- Jazz Recital (Norgran, 1955)
With Harry James
- "Baby Blues" and "Peculiar Kind Of Feeling" on Columbia 39390 (1951)
- "Blacksmith Blues" and "Don't Send Me Home" on Columbia 39671 (1952)
- "Melancholy Trumpet" on Columbia 39846 (1952)
- "Fruit Cake" on Columbia 39877 (1952)
