Kay Davis
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Katherine Elizabeth "Kay" Davis (b. December 5, 1920) was an American jazz singer best known for her time with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Davis studied voice and piano at Northwestern University, where she graduated in 1943. In 1944 she joined Duke Ellington's ensemble, where she sang alongside Joya Sherrill and Al Hibbler. She was known for her coloratura soprano abilities and her scat singing. Her tenure in Ellington's band coincided with their increasing exposure on film, especially for Universal Pictures. Davis and Billy Strayhorn gave the first performance of Strayhorn's "Lush Life" on November 13, 1948 at Carnegie Hall -- even though the song had been written in the 1930's.
She toured France with Ellington alongside Ray Nance in 1948 and 1950. After leaving Ellington's ensemble in the early 1950s, she married Edward Wimp.
