Mildred Bailey

For the American brigadier general, see Mildred Inez Caroon Bailey. For the American first lieutenant, see Millie Bailey.

Mildred Bailey
Bailey photographed by William P. Gottlieb in New York City, 1947
Bailey photographed by William P. Gottlieb in New York City, 1947
Background information
Birth nameMildred Eleanor Rinker
Born(1907-02-27)February 27, 1907[1]
Tekoa, Washington, U.S.
DiedDecember 12, 1951(1951-12-12) (aged 44)
Poughkeepsie, New York, U.S.
GenresJazz, vocal jazz, blues
OccupationSinger
LabelsVocalion

Mildred Bailey (born Mildred Rinker; February 27, 1907 – December 12, 1951) was a Native American jazz singer[2] during the 1930s, known as "The Queen of Swing", "The Rockin' Chair Lady", and "Mrs. Swing". She recorded the songs "For Sentimental Reasons", "It's So Peaceful in the Country", "Doin' The Uptown Lowdown", "Trust in Me", "Where Are You?", "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart", "Small Fry", "Please Be Kind", "Darn That Dream", "Rockin' Chair", "Blame It on My Last Affair", and "Says My Heart". She had three records that reached number one on the popular charts.[3]

She grew up on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation in Idaho, where her mother was an enrolled member. The family moved to Spokane, Washington, when she was 13. Her younger brothers also became musicians. Her brother, Al Rinker, started to perform as a singer with Bing Crosby in Spokane and became a member of The Rhythm Boys. As adults, Charles Rinker was a lyricist, and Miles Rinker was a clarinet and saxophone player who later became a booking agent.[4]

  1. ^ "Mildred Bailey". britannica.com. Encyclopædia Britannica. February 23, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  2. ^ Robinson, Jessica (March 15, 2012). "Tribe Seeks To Correct Jazz History On Native Singer's Heritage". NPR. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference miller was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference gid was invoked but never defined (see the help page).