| Dave Lambert | |
|---|---|
Dave Lambert, New York, ca. July 1947. Photograph by William P. Gottlieb |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | David Alden Lambert |
| Born | June 19, 1917 St. James Parish, Louisiana United States |
| Died | October 3, 1966 (aged 49) Connecticut Turnpike, Connecticut United States |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupations | Musician, Songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1940s–1966 |
| Associated acts | Lambert, Hendricks & Ross |
David Alden Lambert (June 19, 1917 – October 3, 1966) was an American jazz lyricist, singer, and an originator of vocalese. He was best known as a member of the trio Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. Lambert spent a lifetime experimenting with the human voice, and expanding the possibilities of its use within jazz.
Lambert's band debut was with Johnny Long's Orchestra in the early 1940s.[1] Along with early partner Buddy Stewart, he successfully brought singing into modern jazz (concurrently with Ella Fitzgerald). In the late 1950s Lambert teamed with wordsmith and vocalese pioneer Jon Hendricks. The two were later joined by Annie Ross, and the lineup was a hit.
After Ross left the group in 1962, Lambert and Hendricks went on without her by using various replacements, but the partnership ended in 1964. He then formed a quintet called "Lambert & Co." which included the multiple voices of Mary Vonnie, Leslie Dorsey, David Lucas, and Sarah Boatner. The group auditioned for RCA, and the process was documented by filmmaker D. A. Pennebaker in a 15-minute documentary entitled Audition at RCA,[2][3] and the Charlie Parker with Voices. It was one of the last images recorded of Lambert, as several months later he was killed in an auto accident. He was on the Connecticut Turnpike,[4] heading to New York City to deliver a tape of his weekly WBAI-FM radio program, when his car had a flat tire. While changing it, he was fatally struck by a truck.[1]
Will Friedwald (1996). Jazz Singing: America's Great Voices From Bessie Smith To Bebop And Beyond. Perseus Publishing. ISBN 0-306-80712-2.