Thelma Gracen

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Thelma Gracen
Thelma Gracen circa. 1950's
Born(1922-01-06)January 6, 1922
Chicago, Illinois
DiedOctober 24, 1994(1994-10-24) (aged 72)
OccupationSinger
RelativesJorie B. Gracen (niece)

Thelma Gracen (January 6, 1922 - October 24, 1994) was an American jazz singer during the 1950s.[1] She was known for singing in various bands, such as the Freddie Slack orchestra, Jimmy Dorsey orchestra, and the Jan Garber orchestra.[1]

Early life

Thelma Gracen was born on January 6, 1922, in Chicago, Illinois.[1] She began singing at the age of 12 in the clubs and dances in her neighbourhood.[1]

Career

Gracen started her singing career by performing at downtown venues and the suburbs of Chicago.[1] In 1946, she performed with the Jerry Salone orchestra in Springfield, Illinois.[2] In 1947, she began her first major performance with a band, the Gay Claridge orchestra where she sang "Jukebox Serenade". Later, in 1950 and 1951, she became the vocalist of orchestras such as the Jimmy Dorsey band, the Jan Garber orchestra, and the Shep Fields orchestra (credited as Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhythm Orchestra).[3][1] During a performance in 1955 with the Freddie Slack orchestra, Gracen was discovered by Maynard Ferguson (an EmArcy Records artist)[4] to be signed to the record label Wing Records to create her first solo album after discovering her true talent in singing.[1] In November of 1955, Gracen released her first and only solo self-titled LP album[1][5][6] which featured a studio band of West Coast jazz musicians such as Georgie Auld and Lou Levy.[1][7][8][9] She also released one single in January 1957, "An Angel is Crying",[10] which was supposedly her last recording made.[1] She also made an appearance as vocalist on another album by Freddie Slack in 1955 titled, Boogie Woogie on the 88.[11][12][13]

Death

Gracen died on October 24, 1994, at the age of 72.[1] After her death, her niece Jorie B. Gracen said that "Thelma would be glad to know that people are listening to her beautiful voice".[7]

Discography

Solo albums

  • Thelma Gracen (1955, Wing Records)

As guest vocalist

  • Boogie Woogie on the 88 (with the Freddie Slack Orchestra, Wing Records, Mercury Records)

Singles

  • I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles (1950 with the Ripplers and Shep Fields and his orchestra)
  • The Christmas Symphony (1950 with Shep Fields and his orchestra)[14]
  • Silver Bells (1950 with Shep Fields and his orchestra)
  • Sun Showers (1950 with Shep Fields and his orchestra)[15]
  • Harbor Lights (1950 with Shep Fields and his orchestra)
  • Painting the Clouds with Sunshine (1951 with Jan Garber and his orchestra)
  • Between 18th and 19th on Chestnut Street (1955 with Freddie Slack and his orchestra)[8]
  • Beat Me Daddy Eight To The Bar (1955 with Freddie Slack and his orchestra)
  • Rhum Boogie (1955 with Freddie Slack and his orchestra)[8]
  • Down the Road a Piece (1955 with Freddie Slack and his orchestra)[8]
  • Cow Cow Boogie (1955 with Freddie Slack and his orchestra)[16][8]
  • I Want You to Want Me (with Shep Fields and his orchestra)

Compilation albums

References

  1. Boppinbob (2023-01-06). "FROM THE VAULTS: Thelma Gracen born 6 January 1922". FROM THE VAULTS. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  2. "Salone In Springfield" (PDF). www.worldradiohistory.com. p. 13.
  3. "Advance Sales To ROTC Students Begins Immediately In Armory". historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu. 1950-10-12.
  4. "Rafe Mair Online » Blog Archive » From Rafe's desk: iPod and Thelma Gracen". Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  5. Thelma Gracen - Thelma Gracen, 1956, retrieved 2026-05-05
  6. "Music Views" (PDF). www.worldradiohistory.com. March 1957.
  7. "Mercury Records Collection: Wing MGW-60005: Thelma Gracen". microgroove.jp. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  8. "Mercury Records Discography: 1955". www.jazzdisco.org. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  9. "Thelma Gracen - Night And Day (1990)". theblues-thatjazz.com. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  10. Thelma Gracen - La Jolla / An Angel Is Crying, retrieved 2026-05-05
  11. "Mercury Records Collection: EmArcy MG-36094: Boogie Woogie On The 88". microgroove.jp. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  12. Freddie Slack - Boogie Woogie (On The 88 By The Great Freddie Slack), 1955, retrieved 2026-05-05
  13. "Boogie Woogie on the 88". rateyourmusic.com.
  14. "Music You (Possibly) Won't Hear Anyplace Else". musicyouwont.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  15. "Labelliste von „MGM" (1947-1951). © 16.03.2026 by Henry König". www.musiktiteldb.de. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  16. The Will Bradley Johnny Guarnieri Band, Freddie Slack - Live Echoes Of The Best In Big Band Boogie & Boogie Woogie On The 88, 2018, retrieved 2026-05-05
  17. "Fresh Sound - Best Voices Time Forgot". organissimo forums. 2020-08-02. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  18. "Thelma Gracen & Milli Vernon - Thelma Gracen + Introducing Milli Vernon (2 LP on 1 CD)". Blue Sounds. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  19. Ansell, Derek (2019-06-12). "Thelma Gracen: Thelma Gracen / Milli Vernon: Introducing". Jazz Journal. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  20. The Best Voices Time Forgot - Thelma Gracen, M... | AllMusic, retrieved 2026-05-05
  21. Thelma Gracen / Millie Vernon - Thelma Gracen / Introducing Milli Vernon, 2019, retrieved 2026-05-05
  22. "Obscure & Neglected Female Singers Of Jazz & Standards (1930s to 1960s)". Steve Hoffman Music Forums. Retrieved 2026-05-05.