voc, 1932-1978 US, Chicago
Singer of Jazz
Irene Kral (January 18, 1932 – August 15, 1978), was a jazz singer who was born in Chicago, Illinois and died due to breast cancer in Encino, California. Irene started singing professionally as a teenager. She sang with bands on tours led by Woody Herman and Chubby Jackson, former Herman bass player. Irene joined Maynard Ferguson's band in the late 1950s and sang with groups led by Stan Kenton and Shelly Manne. Irene then started a solo career. After getting married and settling in Los Angeles, Kral did not work for a while. However, from 1974-1977, she recorded three exquisite albums for Choice and Catalyst, including two duet sets with pianist Alan Broadbent (Where Is Love and Gentle Rain), that are considered classics; her rendition of "Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most" is definitive. She was a ballad singer who stated that Carmen McRae was one of her inspirations. Irene was made famous posthumously when Clint Eastwood used her recordings in his 1995 movie, The Bridges of Madison County.
Shelly Manne All Stars |
Track list and 30sec audio provided by
Title | Artist | Year | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Second Chance | Irene Kral | 2010 | Album |
Just For Now | Irene Kral | 2004 | Album |
"There's Only One" & "Wonderful Life" | Anita O'Day & Irene Kral | 2003 | Compil. |
The Buddy Collette Quintet | Buddy Collette Quintet with Irene Kral | 2001 | Album |
Live | Irene Kral | 2000 | Album |
You Are There | Irene Kral | 1999 | Compil. |
Gentle Rain | Irene Kral With Alan Broadbent | 1978 | Album |
Angel Eyes | Irene Kral | 1978 | Album |
Kral Space | Irene Kral | 1977 | Album |
Sessions, Live | Shorty Rogers, June Christy, Irene Kral And Jimmy Giuffre | 1976 | Album |
Where Is Love? | Irene Kral | 1975 | Album |
Straight Ahead / Benjamin | Irene Kral | 1969 | Single |
Wonderful Life | Irene Kral | 1965 | Album |
Better Than Anything | Irene Kral With Junior Mance Trio | 1963 | Album |
SteveIreneO! | Irene Kral | 1959 | Album |
The Band And I | Irene Kral, Herb Pomeroy | 1958 | Album |