Jane Harvey

Jane Harvey
Birth namePhyllis Taft
Born(1925-01-06)January 6, 1925
Jersey City, New Jersey
DiedAugust 15, 2013(2013-08-15) (aged 88)
Los Angeles, CA
GenresJazz
OccupationSinger
Spouse(s)Bob Thiele, William King

Jane Harvey (born Phyllis Taff, January 6, 1925 – August 15, 2013) was an American jazz singer, known for recording several tracks with famous musicians such as Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman during the 1940s.[1]

Phyllis Taft was born on January 6, 1925, in Jersey City, New Jersey. She auditioned for Barney Josephson, who offered her an opportunity to perform at his Greenwich Village's nightclub, Café Society. Prior to performing, Taft changed her name to Jane Harvey.[2]

In 1946, she joined Desi Arnaz's Orchestra, until she left in 1958 to raise her son, Bob Thiele Jr. She also entertained at military bases overseas with Bob Hope. During the late 1950s, she joined Duke Ellington's Orchestra. Around the time of her death, she performed locally, all over the Los Angeles area.[2]

She was married to record producer Bob Thiele and had two children, her son Robert and a daughter. She later married William King.[2]

Harvey died of cancer at her home in Los Angeles on August 15, 2013.[3]

  1. ^ "Jazz Singer Jane Harvey Dies at 88". USA Billboard. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "Jane Harvey, Jazz Vocalist and Performer, Dies at 88". Playbill. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  3. ^ "Jane Harvey, jazz musician who performed with Benny Goodman, Desi Arnaz, dies". UPI. Retrieved 17 August 2013.