Miles Davis said she was his favorite singer. Frank Sinatra was a fan. Jeri Southern’s subtle sensibilities and lovely, honest singing voice brought her a bit of jazz/pop fame in the 1950s. But she was never destined for—or even wanted—mainstream stardom. After about a decade of album releases, nightclub performances, and television appearances, she decided to get out of pop to teach singing and to study Bach and Brahms at the piano, promising herself never to wear another evening gown again. David Garland previews his upcoming podcast featuring his extensive interview with Southern shortly before she died in 1991—plus a new conversation with Southern’s daughter Kathryn King, and a never-before-heard, newly discovered solo piano improvisation by Southern.

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Vintage publicity photo of Jeri Southern

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