Watermelon Man - Gloria Lynne
Gloria Lynne (born Gloria Alleyne, November 23, 1931) is an American jazz vocalist with a recording career spanning from 1958 to 2007. She grew up in Harlem; her mother was a gospel singer. Lynne was born in New York City. As a young girl, Lynne sang with the local African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Choir. At the age of 15, she won first prize at the "Amateur Night" at the Apollo Theater. She shared the stage with contemporary night club vocal ensembles as well as with Ella Fitzgerald, recording as part of such groups as The Enchanters and The Dell-Tones in the 1950s. She recorded as a soloist under her birth name, though most of her work was released under her stage name on the Everest Records and Fontana Records labels. She was signed to Everest in 1958. Although showing much promise early on, especially after TV appearances, including the Harry Belafonte Spectacular, her development suffered through poor management: some unscrupulous recording 'executives'...