ENDEIT
Keely Smith
Photo: Photographer not credited, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Singers · 1928–2017

Keely Smith

American singer (1928-2017)

Born
9 March 1928
Norfolk
Died
16 December 2017
Palm Springs
Country
United States
Active
1934–
Record labels
Capitol Records, Dot Records, Sony Music
Discography
24 albums

Biography

Keely Smith was a jazz musician who played voice. Keely Smith was born on 9 March 1928 in Norfolk and died on 16 December 2017 in Palm Springs. The music is usually filed under jazz. Record labels: Capitol Records, Dot Records and Sony Music. The discography here lists 24 albums, from “Politely!” (1958) to “You're Breaking My Heart: The London Sessions” (2019). Honours include star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Dorothy Jacqueline Keely (March 9, 1928 – December 16, 2017), professionally known as Keely Smith, was an American jazz and popular music singer, who performed and recorded extensively in the 1950s with her then-husband Louis Prima, and throughout the 1960s as a solo artist. Smith married Prima in 1953. The couple were stars throughout the entertainment business, including stage, television, motion pictures, hit records, and cabaret acts. They won a Grammy in 1959, the award's inaugural year, for their smash hit, "That Old Black Magic", which remained on the charts for 18 weeks.

Read the full article on Wikipedia ↗ · From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Discography

Studio and live albums

Politely! 1958 · Capitol Records I Wish You Love 1959 · Capitol Records Swingin’ Pretty 1959 · Capitol Records A Keely Christmas 1960 · Dot Records Swing, You Lovers 1960 · Dot Records Dearly Beloved 1961 · Dot Records Twist With Keely Smith 1961 · Dot Records Because You’re Mine 1962 · Dot Records What Kind of Fool Am I? 1962 · Dot Records Little Girl Blue / Little Girl New 1963 · Reprise Records Sings the John Lennon - Paul McCartney Songbook 1964 · Reprise Records That Old Black Magic 1965 · Reprise Records 1963 Live Guard Sessions 1992 · Live · Jazz Band Cherokeely Swings 1993 · Jasmine Records Politely! / Swingin’ Pretty 2000 · Collectors’ Choice Music Swing, Swing, Swing 2000 · Concord Records Keely Sings Sinatra 2001 · Concord Jazz Keely Swings Basie Style... With Strings 2002 · Concord Records Be My Love 2004 · Jasmine Records Vegas ’58: Today 2005 · Live · Concord Records A Beautiful Friendship 2012 · SSJ The Intimate Keely Smith 2016 · Real Gone Music You're Breaking My Heart: The London Sessions 2019 · Real Gone Music Be My Love / Keely Smith Sings the Beatles

Also plays on

Albums where Keely Smith is credited as a sideman

1956 The Wildest! — Louis Prima lead vocals
1957 The Call of the Wildest — Louis Prima, Keely Smith with Sam Butera & the Witnesses vocals
1958 Breaking It Up! — Louis Prima with Keely Smith vocals
1958 Las Vegas Prima Style — Louis Prima vocals
1959 Louis and Keely! — Louis Prima & Keely Smith vocals

Awards

Historic 78 rpm records

  • This Evening Louis Prima and Orchestra · Keely Smith and Vocal Chorus · Prima and… · 1950 archive.org ↗
  • Teardrops From My Eyes Louis Prima and Orchestra · Keely Smith and Vocal Chorus · Toombs · 1950 archive.org ↗

Listen on Spotify

Frequently asked questions

What instrument did Keely Smith play?

Keely Smith is known for playing voice.

When and where was Keely Smith born?

Keely Smith was born 9 March 1928 in Norfolk.

What are Keely Smith's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include Politely! (1958), I Wish You Love (1959), Swingin’ Pretty (1959), A Keely Christmas (1960) and Swing, You Lovers (1960).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.