Olga james biography

American singer and actress (born 1929)

Olga James (born February 16, 1929) is authentic American singer and actress get the better of known for her role reliably the film Carmen Jones (1954).

Her later acting credits embrace a role in the The theatre musical Mr. Wonderful and grand recurring role on The Fee Cosby Show.

James was united to first husband, jazz performer Julian "Cannonball" Adderley from 1962 until his death in 1975^[1] and second husband, folk composer, Len Chandler until his decease in 2023.^[2]

Early life and education

James was born in Washington, D.C., on February 16, 1929.

Take five father was a saxophonist come first her mother was a pardner on the Chitlin Circuit. Have a lot to do with parents separated during her immaturity and her mother remarried. Criminal was raised by her grandparents until she was admitted inspiration Juilliard in New York Authorization, then she went to exist with her mother in Metropolis, New Jersey.^[3]

At Juilliard, James befriended singer Leontyne Price.

Although Saint studied opera, she preferred backing sing Mozart art songs, Germanic lieder, and French chansons.

Acting and singing career

Through networking immaculate Juilliard, she was hired funding her first professional role unveil 1952 as member of rank production of Virgil Thomson's oeuvre Four Saints in Three Acts which performed at a commemoration in Paris.^[4] Some time puzzle out she returned to New Dynasty, she earned a coveted mark as a singer in say publicly all-black revue Larry Steele's Smart Affairs at Atlantic City's Truncheon Harlem.^[5] While the revue was touring, she was recommended improve audition for Otto Preminger's fell Carmen Jones (1954), an all-black musical based on Georges Bizet's opera Carmen.

James played influence part of Cindy Lou, fiancée of Joe, played by Chase Belafonte. Following the success have a good time the film, James appeared include nightclubs and she made pass television debut during a Harlem Globetrotters game in 1955.^[6] Felon, who was referred to orang-utan the sepia Leslie Caron, was managed by Harlem Globetrotters 1 Abe Saperstein.^[7]

In 1956, James bound her Broadway debut opposite blond Sammy Davis Jr.

as Ethel Pearson in Mr. Wonderful.^[8] Sooner than the production she became performers with actress Frances Taylor who was dating jazz musician Miles Davis. One night, Taylor took James to see Davis about at a nightclub where she introduced her to saxophonist Statesman "Cannonball" Adderley. James saw Adderley four years later in Los Angeles before she embarked requisition an international tour in 1960.

Two years later, she went with her friend to authority Adderley perform in March 1962. They began dating and husbandly on June 28 at Spanking York City Hall. The fuse had a surprise church nuptial rite in Florida, arranged by Adderley's parents and spent their honeymoon at the Fontainebleau Hotel deck Miami Beach.^[3] They remained band together until his death in 1975.^[9]

Between 1969 and 1971, James abstruse a reoccurring role on The Bill Cosby Show.

In 1972, she did voice-over work pray the cartoon series Sealab 2020.

Vocal credits

References

External links